Columbus Blue Jackets Rumored to Be Pursuing One of the League's Worst Contracts

As the team appears ready to capitalize on its financial flexibility, it appears that few teams have the cap space that the Columbus Blue Jackets do. The Blue Jackets are considering a variety of options regarding how to best use their cap space as the season has begun. Accepting "bad" contracts from other teams is a sensible option, provided that the deals include alluring asset sweeteners like draft picks or young players. Columbus will be able to help a team in need with its cap situation while also acquiring valuable assets for the future.

Don Waddell, the general manager of the Blue Jackets, is open to hearing these kinds of offers, but his candor has its limits, according to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. In negotiating deals that benefit Columbus without committing their cap space for years, Waddell has made it quite evident that he is not looking to take on any long-term obligations. That would suggest that there is a possibility that, while he will hire high-paid players, they will need to be of the shorter-term type, ideally ending next season or soon after, in order for Columbus to maintain financial flexibility while they try to rebuild.

According to Seravalli, the problem is that a lot of the contracts other teams wish to sign have three- to five-year commitments. He has been adamant up to this point that he won't be signing players to such long-term contracts, and it is thought that the team will be ready to contend for the playoffs in the upcoming seasons. When the team is a little closer to contending, it will only be detrimental to tie up cap space in possible liabilities. Contracts with significant remaining terms are therefore most likely doomed to fail with Columbus.

Columbus is only interested in agreements with shorter-term commitments, so rival teams trying to get rid of their troublesome contracts should be aware of this. Deals with one or two years left could become alluring, particularly if additional assets are included to possibly support the Blue Jackets' rebuild even more. However, Columbus wants to keep cap space for future moves as this team develops, so long-term deals are just not feasible.

Staying above the floor, which stands at $65 million, will be another difficulty for the Blue Jackets this season. Columbus is currently only about $2 million above that minimum. Columbus may therefore have to raise salaries soon in order to maintain above the cap floor. The team has been realistic about its chances of making the playoffs, despite their modest 5-5-1 start, and they see this season as a learning opportunity. By making prudent use of their cap space, the Jackets can set themselves up for future success without endangering that long-term goal.