Setting aside the real-world horrors of COVID-19, the NHL shutdown was crushing for pretty much every team, but it might’ve felt like home for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since July 1, 2019, no team has been kicked in the face over and over like they have. Pausing the season in the midst of a playoff chase was just one more kick.
The Jackets lots their three of their top stars, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, left winger Artemi Panarin and center Matt Duchene – to unrestricted free agency on deals with AAVs of $10 million, $11.64 million and $8 million, respectively.