Only a few days into the Free Agency season and the Columbus Blue Jackets have landed one of the top free agents on the market. As per team rules, terms were not disclosed but team sources say that G Chris Osgood signed a 4 year deal with the team, worth 2.5 million a year. With the play of G Patrick Lalime down the stretch towards the playoffs, coupled with the loss of G Ty Conklin to free agency, GM Frank Salemi thought it might be safe to go after veteran goaltender, allowing more development time in the farm for young prospect Pascal Leclaire.
“We have had an eye on Chris since before the UFA season started”, Salemi told reporters at his office this morning. “We have a list of guys that we feel we need to help this team mature and make it better, improving on our finish from last year”. With poor play of Lalime in the playoffs, the BlueJackets felt that it would be better to go after a bonfide starter, making Lalime(last year’s top UFA pickup for the team) the backup with Leclaire still learning the ropes of the pro game down on the farm.
Sources close to the Osgood camp have reported that Chris is very happy with his decision and can’t wait to get a fresh start with a new set of teammates and help guide the young BlueJackets towards a OTHL championship in the years to come