Columbus Blue Jackets re-sign Adam Boqvist to three-year contract with $2.6 million cap hit

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Adam Boqvist to a three-year contract extension with a $2.6 million cap hit on Wednesday afternoon.

Boqvist was in the final year of his entry-level contract, which he originally signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, who drafted him eighth overall in 2018. The Blue Jackets acquired Boqvist as part of the return for defenseman Seth Jones in a blockbuster summer 2021 trade.

“Adam is a talented, mobile defenseman with the ability and creativity to provide offense from the blueline,” said Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen in a statement. “Despite some injuries, he had a very good first season with our club at the age of 21 and as he gets bigger and stronger, we believe he has the potential to be a very impactful player in this league.”

Boqvist had a career year offensively, with 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points, the goals and point totals being career highs. However, he still needs plenty of work in the defensive department, with a 47.06 percent shot attempt share and a 44.58 percent expected goals share at even strength this season. His goals above replacement totals showcase this as well, with a 4.9 offensive GAR, but a -2.7 defensive GAR. That said, he’s a strong playmaker, especially in the offensive zone, and is good at carrying the puck into the zone and scoring off the rush.

With that signing, the Blue Jackets’ only concern in-house is Patrik Laine, who is a restricted free agent. It will likely be about whether Laine wants to return to the organization, as the Blue Jackets have almost $17 million in cap space at the moment to work with, although they also may be looking to fill that space with defenseman Jakob Chychrun. They head into the NHL Draft with two first-round picks at the sixth and 12th spots, the sixth coming from the aforementioned Jones trade that also got the team Boqvist.