Blue Jackets re-sign Matt Calvert to 3-year $6.6 million contract

The Blue Jackets have re-signed “heart and soul player” Matt Calvert for three years at $6.6 million.

Clichés for $1,000 Alex!

Contract numbers were reported by the Columbus Dispatch.

Here is the full quote from ‘Lumbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen on Calvert, a restricted free agent, and what he brings to the table.

“Matt Calvert is a heart and soul player, who works hard on and off the ice and is a relentless competitor at both ends of the rink,” said Kekalainen.  “He’s been an important contributor to our team and we are excited that he will continue to be a part of our organization moving forward.” 

Was Jarmo listening to this when he signed Calvert?

Actually Kekalainen is pretty accurate on Calvert’s attributes. He’s diminuitive, speedy and never really gives up on a play. Though health is a concern for 25-year-old. He has yet to play a full NHL season, suiting up for 56 contests last season and 56 the year before.

But if you average his goals per-game from a year ago, in a full season that would give Calvert near 20, which is actually quite good.

What’s his overall potential? Said The Cannon:

That isn’t to say he doesn’t have offensive talent – he put up over a point per game in juniors with the Brandon Wheat Kings for his career, thanks in some part to an extra over-age year.  Calvert also scored at a 0.64 ppg clip in Springfield over a few years.  Perhaps because of his hair-on-fire style of play, he has a fairly lengthy injury history.

With a healthy team and a brand new power winger in Brandon Saad, Calvert’s skills will fit nicely with the reloading Blue Jackets, provided he doesn’t get hurt again. Overall it’s not exactly a risky contract for ‘Lumbus. 

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

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