Excitement in Columbus with Saad trade

The Columbus Blue Jackets have plenty of reason for optimism once again this summer and the team is hoping it gets a chance to deliver out of the gate.

The Jackets made a successful showing in its first season as an Eastern Conference member two seasons ago, reaching the post season and then giving the Pittsburgh Penguins a serious challenge in a playoff series that included the first post season victory in Blue Jackets’ team history.

The team looked to build off of that success and the 2015-16 was hoped to see a huge jump in performance. However, an unreal rash of injuries that started in training camp saw the team limp out of the gate and all but took it out of playoff contention by Christmas time.

However, the team, built around hard working gritty veterans and a slew of young players that don’t know when to quit shrugged off the overall season disappointment and put together a stretch run that saw it finish the season as the team’s hottest team.That effort, combined with some great summer moves have them talking proud in Ohio once again.

Beginning at the draft, the Jackets hoped to improve on its defense at that time and used both of its first round picks to add talent and depth to the position.

With its eighth overall pick, the Jackets selected Zach Werenski, a solid defender with good offensive numbers in his freshman year at the University of Michigan. The Jackets moved up to get the 29^th pick overall and used it to land another D-man; Gabriel Carlsson, a Swede that already possesses pro experience having split his time between the junior and elite team at Linkopings last season.

The Jackets also locked up backup goaltender Curtis Mcelhinny who signed a two year deal just before the draft.

With Free Agency looming, the Jackets landed its biggest acquisition via the trade, picking up the rights to free agent forward Brandon Saad along with prospects Michael Paliotta and Alex Broadhurst. The Jackets landed the biggest name in the trade but it didn’t come cheap as veteran forward Artem Anisimov went the other way along with Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp and a fourth round pick in next summer’s entry draft.

Columbus consummated the deal by signing Saad to a six year deal with a salary cap hit of $6 million.

On the opening day of Free Agency, the Blue Jackets lost defenseman Mike Reilly who signed with his home state team – the Minnesota Wild. The Jackets drafted Reilly previously but had been unable to sign him.

The team also said goodbye to Mark Letestu, a regular contributor for the previous three seasons. Letestu signed with the suddenly popular Edmonton Oilers. Two other centers: Brian Gibbons and Sean Collins – both having played in Columbus, but primarily in Springfield – were signed by the New Rangers and Washington respectively.

The lone pick up for the Jackets on this day was also a solid center as veteran Gregory Campbell signed for the team ending a five year run with the Boston Bruins.

The following day the Jackets resigned Jaime Sifers and added also signed Andrew Bodnarchuk from Los Angeles. Both are defenders destined to help the Lake Erie Monsters. Also Brett Gallant, a winger from the Islanders organization was added.

On the same day Saad was signed, the Jackets also signed Calgary free agent defender John Ramage, a minor league defenseman.

Later the team re-signed forward Matthew Calvert to a three year deal. Calvert played in 56 games and contributed 23 points for the Jackets last season and the upcoming campaign will be his sixth for the Jackets who drafted him in 2008.

The Jackets held a Prospects Camp and will also take part in the annual Traverse City Rookie Tournament in the late summer, leading up to its 2015-16 Training Camp.