The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Seth Jones to a $32.4 million, six-year contract.
Jones was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft to the Nashville Predators. The Blue Jackets acquired him in a January trade that sent center Ryan Johansen to Nashville. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen says reaching a long-term agreement with Jones was an off-season priority. Jones says it was important top him as well:
"I think the longer you drag it out the more it becomes maybe a problem in the locker room or something along those lines. But, I enjoy being in Columbus. You know I was only here half a season last year, but I really like the way the team's going, and we have a good young core here."
The contract, which includes a modified no-trade clause in years five and six, will count $5.4 million against the salary cap through the 2020-21 NHL season. In other action, the Jackets bought out the final two years of defenseman Fedor Tyutin's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. Kekalainen says the move gives the club some financial flexibility.
