September 19, 2024 | 5:03pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

BLUE JACKETS STILL LOOKING TO ADD UP FRONT

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell

After signing veteran forward James van Riemsdyk to a one-year contract on Sunday, the Columbus Blue Jackets will continue to monitor the market to see if there is an opportunity to add another forward or two by the start of the regular-season next month.

With training camps now underway across the NHL, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell plans on monitoring the trade market and could also explore the waiver wire in the coming weeks to see if someone of interest becomes available.

“We’re talking to a lot of teams – just checking the boxes, see who’s left out there, who may be available through trades,” Waddell told local reporters on Wednesday. “As camp progresses here over the next couple of weeks – again, for something that we feel will help our hockey team, we will add it. If there’s nothing there, then we’re happy with the group we have right here.”

The Blue Jackets have a significant amount of salary cap space at their disposal, but that doesn’t mean the club will spend dollars foolishly.

Waddell is hoping to add at least one more forward to the group and if the trade market doesn’t provide any answers, teams with too many players on their rosters will be placing some of waivers and a team like the Blue Jackets could swoop in and pry someone away without giving up any assets.