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Blue Jackets not likely to sign Pelletier, Leblanc; plus Merzlikins update

It's highly unlikely that either forward Julien Pelletier (fourth round) or defenseman Olivier Leblanc (seventh round), both taken in the 2014 NHL Draft, will be signed by the team. As a result, they will re-enter the draft pool and be available for selection at next month’s draft in Buffalo.

Here’s how it breaks down: NHL teams have until the second June 1 after a player is drafted out of North American junior hockey to get them under contract. If the player is drafted out of Europe, they have until the fourth June 1 following his draft unless the player is 20 years of age or older, in which case it’s the second June 1.