The Columbus Blue Jackets have locked up a key part of their future, signing defenseman Seth Jones to a six-year contract Wednesday.
A source told ESPN.com the deal worth $5.4 million on average per season.
The timing was key. Jones would have been a restricted free agent on July 1, and there were rumblings of a potential offer sheet finding its way to him, in part because the Jackets have very little salary cap room.