Columbus Blue Jackets notebook: Don Waddell updates RFA talks, Laine trade request
Don Waddell’s biggest chore Tuesday at Nationwide Arena was introducing Dean Evason as the Blue Jackets’ next head coach, ending a month long search.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets introduce Dean Evason as head coach: 5 takeaways
Very close in importance were updates the Blue Jackets’ president of hockey operations and general manager provided on three unsigned restricted free agent forwards — Kirill Marchenko, Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson.
Negotiations are ongoing with all three, including talks with Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey. The two sides have a week left to talk before a scheduled NHL arbitration hearing July 31 in Toronto.
“He's going to be a Blue Jacket,” Waddell said. “He filed for arbitration, which is a player’s choice. We just haven’t found a common goal yet. If we can’t before next week, it goes to a third party. ... So, one way or another, he’s going to have a contract by next week. We’re hoping to get it done before that, but if not, we’ll go to arbitration and let the arbitrator settle it.”
Milstein declined to comment.
The Blue Jackets have never had a contract go to an arbitration hearing, which determines salary amounts on contracts up to two years in length. When arbitration is chosen by the player, the team chooses the length of contract going into the hearing — one or two years ― before an arbitrator awards a salary after hearing each side's argument.
Marchenko is seeking a longer-term contract, but recently spoke about his situation with a journalist in Russia and said the Blue Jackets hadn't issued any "worthy" offers. He'd rather not have to fly to Toronto for a hearing, but is prepared to do it if required. After electing the arbitration route, Marchenko also negated his ability to sign a contract offer sheet with another team.
Waddell has signed quite a few deals with Milstein in his previous role as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes and said their discussions on Marchenko have been good. If they can’t agree, Marchenko will still get a contract through arbitration next week.
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell confident that forwards Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson will agree to extensions this summer
Waddell hopes to sign Sillinger to a “multiyear” contract, while Johnson is expected to get a one-year deal due to his shoulder surgery (torn labrum) and limited numbers last season because of the injury. Unlike Sillinger, who’s eligible to sign an offer sheet, Johnson hasn’t logged enough NHL games to utilize that option. He’s a 10.2 (C) free agent under the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players' Association, which significantly limits his negotiating leverage.
Johnson is represented by hockey’s highest-grossing agent, Pat Brisson of CAA, while Sillinger is represented by Craig Oster of Newport Sports Management, Inc. Neither agent replied to the Dispatch's requests for comment.
“We’re not going to reach a (longer) deal with (Johnson),” Waddell said. “They’re not going to do a long-term deal at a low number and we’re not going to do the high number. We want what’s best for these kids, so we’ll do a shorter-term deal and play it out from there.”
Sillinger is a different story. He has already logged three NHL seasons and could sign an offer sheet that would force the Blue Jackets to match or allow him to leave for draft pick compensation. Given his relatively low offensive numbers thus far, it’s unlikely that an offer large enough to make the Blue Jackets accept a draft pick or picks would be extended.
“His upside is still in front of us,” Waddell said. “That’s always hard to get in a longer-term deal, but I look for his deal to be at least (multiple) years, and hopefully that resolves (soon). Again, there’s no tight timetable on it, but we’ll get it resolved.”
No change for Columbus Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine in NHL/NHLPA status or trade request
Waddell was asked about Patrik Laine, who is receiving treatment for undisclosed reasons within the NHL/NHLPA's joint player assistance program.
Nothing had changed as of Tuesday with that status, which means nothing has changed regarding Waddell’s ability to trade the Finnish forward. It largely hinges on interested opposing GMs speaking with Laine, who can't speak to NHL GMs or Waddell while he’s in the NHL/NHLPA program. Waddell is staying in close contact with Laine’s agent, Octagon’s Andy Scott, who has not replied to inquiries from the Dispatch about the trade request.
Waddell said that Laine still wants a change of scenery trade after four frustrating, injury-plagued seasons in Columbus.
Even when Laine is cleared, Waddell may struggle to find a suitable return. Laine played just 18 games last season and has battled numerous injuries during his time with the Jackets. A video surfaced last week of Laine going through offseason conditioning workouts with NFL players in Florida, but he’s still being treated in the NHL/NHLPA program.
“I continue to get a few calls from teams, just checking in,” Waddell said. “I talk to his agent almost every day or every other day or so. I’ve had enough calls, so there’s at least some interest. Obviously, some teams have gone in a different direction with the salary cap and all that, but I’m pretty confident that we’ll be able to make a deal with him before the season.”
Waddell also said all options remain on the table, including the remote possibility that Laine is forced to stay with the Blue Jackets long enough to boost his trade value. The Jackets’ GM doesn’t feel pressured to accept a package he doesn’t like.
“We’ve got plenty of money under the salary cap,” Waddell said. “So, if we can find something suitable, there’s no reason we wouldn’t do it. But I’ve got to protect the organization, so you’ve got to make the decision based on what the market is. If there’s a good market, you’re going to be happy with it. If the market’s soft, then we have to make a decision about what we do.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets notes: RFAs and Patrik Laine trade request
