Flawed Franchise: The Columbus Blue Jackets an Expensive Mess

The Columbus Blue Jackets joined the National Hockey League with their expansion cousin the Minnesota Wild in 2000-2001 and have only once qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs—losing in four straight games to the Detroit Red wings in the 2008-2009 season. 

Conversely, the Minnesota Wild have qualified for the playoffs three times during the same period, including an appearance in the Conference finals in 2003 and a division title in 2008. 

The Blue Jackets were considered a team on the rise after reaching the playoffs three seasons ago. Then-rookie goaltender Steve Mason captured the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie by going 33-20-7, while posting a 2.29 GAA, .916 save percentage and an incredible 10 shutouts. Since then, he has not had a season with a GAA under 3.00. Clearly, part of the Blue Jackets' struggles can be placed on the mediocre goaltending that they have received from Mason since his terrific rookie season.  

Similar to Mason, another goalie comes to mind who also experienced success early in his career but was never able to duplicate it. Jim Carey, then of the Washington Capitals, won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie in 1996, his first full season, by going 35-24-9 with a 2.26 GAA, .906 save percentage and nine shutouts—numbers that are frighteningly close to what Mason posted 13 years later. 

To make matters worse, Mason is owed $3.2 million next season, making him virtually impossible to move unless the team is willing to deal for a player with a bad contract in return. With the Blue Jackets right up against the salary cap and hastily running out of options, the team could place Mason on waivers and hope another team claims him. If there is not a team willing to take him on, Columbus could put Mason on recallable waivers and if claimed, the team would then be responsible for paying half of his salary for the remainder of the contract. Another option could be to buy him out. 

However, the blame cannot entirely be placed on Mason’s shoulders. GM Scott Howson had been given the green light to spend up to the cap, but has invested his resources inefficiently. Other than Rick Nash and Jeff Carter (a mistake that he’s been able to correct) many of the other players signed to long-term contracts are grossly overpaid. 

First, James Wisniewski was signed to a ridiculous six-year $33-million contract this offseason for a salary cap hit of $5.5 million. Wisniewski is a good player but is being paid as a top defenseman which he is not. Prior to his 51-point season in 2010-2011, his career high was 30 which he accomplished the season before. Columbus is also the fifth team he’s played for since the 2008-2009 season (Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadians and New York Islanders). 

John-Michael Liles at $4.2 million this season and $3.875 million cap hit for the next four seasons after signing a contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs and former Maple Leaf Ian White at $2.85 million are two defensemen that also switched teams this offseason. They provide a similar skill set to Wisniewski but are much more valuable to their respective clubs as well as potential suitors because their cap hit is significantly less, which makes them easier to trade/trade for. 

The contract extension given to RJ Umberger is another one that will saddle the Blue Jackets unless they can find a taker. He was signed for five years and $23 million, counting for $4.6 million against the cap. Umberger is a solid player. His career high is 57 points, 25 goals and 32 assists, which he reached in 2010-2011—good production in today’s NHL, but at almost a five-million cap hit per season, it’s a poor return of investment for a team like Columbus.

Fedor Tyutin at $4.5 million for the next six years and Marc Methot $3 million for the next three are two more expensive contracts that the Blue Jackets generously handed out. At a combined $7.5 million price tag, Tyutin and Methot provide the team with average play at a premium price.  

Derek Brassard is owed $3.2 million for the next two years, while the buyout of Mike Commodore at $1.5 million next year and $1.1 million over the following two years further handcuff the team.  

Having a few overpaid players on a team is somewhat common. However, what separates Columbus from the other teams is that they not only signed average players to big money contracts, but they also signed them to long-term deals.

Rick Nash, Columbus’ most valuable asset is signed for the next six years that carries a $7.8 million cap hit. Although they were not offered the exact package of players/prospects that they were looking for, they still could have acquired a significant return for him at the trade deadline. With the uncertainties of the new collective bargaining agreement, the Blue Jackets might have been better off ridding themselves of Nash and his hefty salary.

Clearly it’s been a disappointing year for the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fans. Not only have they put a poor product on the ice this season, but they have also ensured it for years to come.

To make matters worse, Rick Nash, Jack Johnson, RJ Umberger, James Wisniewski and Fedor Tyutin are all signed through the 2016-2017 season, combining for a whopping $26.7 million in payroll, which will make it difficult for GM Scott Howson or a new GM to add more talent to the team with so much already invested in just five players.

If Columbus can rid themselves of one or more big-money players to go along with Nash, it would help speed their rebuild, while also reducing their payroll; it makes no sense to lose with an expensive team.

The assets obtained from a Rick Nash trade in addition with their own prospects, young talent and key free agent signings will require at least three years for this team to consistently compete, and perhaps by then they might be relevant for the first time in franchise history.

Your thoughts: How long will it take for the Blue Jackets to become a consistent playoff team?