Columbus Blue Jackets: Which free agents are coming back?

Ryan Dzingel

Ryan Dzingel is more of an honorable mention on this list. Yes, he’s a great young player, but he’s not on the level of Panarin, Bobrovsky or Duchene, or as important to the team. But, like the other three, he’s an upcoming unrestricted free agent and the clock is ticking until July 1st for something to happen.

Dzingel, like Duchene, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators, but in a separate deal for picks and prospects. Let’s assume all three other big-name free agents leave, but Dzingel stays. He would be in a similar situation that Brady Tkachuk is with his former team the Senators – a young player on an otherwise barren roster with the promise that they’ll build around them.

Now, assume that Kekäläinen can find a way to keep Dzingel and Duchene, while Bobrovsky and Panarin walk. Then there’s at least the chance Columbus can tread above water in the standings.

Otherwise, they go into full blown rebuild mode the Senators have committed to. Coming off their most successful season in franchise history, that’s probably not the direction Kekäläinen wants to be headed.

Dzingel, like Duchene, will without a doubt get offers from the trade market. But right now the Blue Jackets free agents can be broken down into two teams: Bobrovksy with Panarin, and Duchene with Dzingel.

If Kekäläinen wants to salvage the coming future of his franchise and be realistic about it, he’s should look at the writing on the wall and keep Duchene and Dzingel. With that, he can wish Bobrovsky and Panarin the best as they go on their next adventure.