The title.
With the signing of Patrik Laine, something had to give. With around $5.5M to clear to be compliant, Oliver Bjorkstrand got the axe, going to Seattle for a pair of picks in next year’s draft. He finishes with 111 goals and 234 points in 382 games as a Blue Jacket.
I’ve now had the unfortunate task of trying to put a positive spin on both the Gudbransson signing and this trade. With the former, you can see the reasoning. The Jackets needed to get meaner. Bigger. A style of play that’s quickly waning in an increasingly skilled NHL.