Blue Jackets sign veteran Charlie Coyle to 6-year, $36 million extension
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The Columbus Blue Jackets signed veteran center Charlie Coyle to a six-year, $36 million contract, with a $6 million salary cap hit per season, securing a key offseason objective.
- Coyle, 34, chose to stay with the Blue Jackets despite free agency interest from Stanley Cup contenders, expressing confidence in the team's potential to become a contender.
- Known for durability and reliability, Coyle has played 411 regular-season games over the past five seasons, the most in the NHL, which influenced the Blue Jackets' decision on the long-term deal.
- As a top two-way, right-shot center, Coyle is a valuable asset, with multiple general managers reportedly interested in trading for his contract rights before free agency.
- The Blue Jackets view Coyle as a foundational player at center ice, complementing younger talents and aiming to build on recent progress despite narrowly missing the playoffs in consecutive seasons.