Sergei Bobrovsky, Blue Jackets Agree on New Contract: Latest Details, Reaction

The Columbus Blue Jackets have taken steps to secure their long-term future at the goaltending position by reportedly signing Sergei Bobrovsky to an extension.

According to Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch, Bobrovsky has received a four-year contract extension worth just under $30 million:

"

Puck-rakers: #CBJ sign G Sergei Bobrovsky to 4-year, $29.7 million extension http://t.co/YaXnkJemOk

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 9, 2015"

As noted by ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, the extension saves the Blue Jackets a lot of headaches that would have taken place with Bobrovsky over the next two years:

The 26-year-old Bobrovsky has been a standout since being traded to Columbus in 2012. He has allowed an average of 2.34 goals in 123 games with the Blue Jackets and won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goalie following the 2013 season.

There seemed to be some tense times at the negotiating table, as Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told LeBrun in November that the team made a fair offer to Bobrovsky.

"We love Bob, we want to obviously keep him," Kekalainen said. "We made a fair offer in our opinion and it didn’t go anywhere. We’ll keep after it. He’s an incredibly hard-working player and he’s a leader that way and such a good example. We absolutely want to keep a guy like that and for long-term."

Fortunately, the two sides were able to keep talking and finally struck a deal that works for both parties. It also benefits Bobrovsky because he gets paid now and can be a free agent at age 30, which would allow him to get another big contract.

The Blue Jackets have struggled to break through in the Eastern Conference this season, sitting in a tie for fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. However, Bobrovsky is holding up his end of the bargain. He's 15-10-2 with a 2.75 goals-against average.

If the front office can find impact talent on offense, the Blue Jackets will become a threat in the East.

The hardest thing to find is strong goaltending, but Bobrovsky has solidified that spot for this franchise. He's got the talent to carry this team far with a little more scoring help.