Cole Sillinger Signs Three-Year Deal with Blue Jackets, Avoids Arbitration

The Columbus Blue Jackets have successfully sidestepped arbitration by signing forward Cole Sillinger to a lucrative three-year contract worth $13.875 million. This agreement comes just ahead of Sillinger’s scheduled arbitration hearing on Monday, demonstrating the team’s commitment to their young talent. The deal was first reported by Sportsnet.ca, and a source familiar with the agreement confirmed the details on the condition of anonymity as the official announcement has yet to be made.

At just 23 years old, Sillinger has already made a significant impact in the NHL, having been the Blue Jackets’ first-round pick in the 2021 draft. A native of Columbus, he has accumulated five years of experience in the league. Last season, Sillinger transitioned from center to left wing, becoming a key player on the team’s third line. He recorded a career-best 33 points, including eight goals and 25 assists, bringing his overall totals to 51 goals and 140 points across 367 games.

In a related development, the Florida Panthers also avoided arbitration by finalizing a two-year, $4 million contract with newly acquired goalie Akira Schmid. Florida acquired Schmid, a 26-year-old goaltender from Switzerland, in a trade with Vegas that involved a third-round pick in the 2028 draft. This move is part of a broader strategy to revamp the goalie position, especially following the departure of long-time starter Sergei Bobrovsky, who recently signed with Toronto in free agency.

Schmid had a breakout season last year, notching career-highs with 29 starts and 16 victories during his fifth NHL season. The Panthers’ alterations in goal reflect their proactive approach to maintaining competitiveness in the league as they navigate the offseason.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.