While the rest of the NHL is focused on Dan Bylsma and Buffalo today, the Blue Jackets locked up a member of their defensive corps for a few years. The CBJ announced they’ve got Cody Goloubef on a new deal for two more years. This keeps the d-man in Columbus through the 2016-17 season. You can read the full release at the Blue Jackets website. Aaron Portzline reported the terms of the deal at the Dispatch (one way with annual salaries of $700k and $800k). Portzline and co. will be sure to update more later in the day.
Goloubef had limited playtime in Columbus, getting most of his work in Springfield (38+ games there each season from 2010-11 to 2013-14). Last year, the former 2nd round pick got a longer look with the NHL club, ending 7th in total time on ice among CBJ d-men (560 total minutes). With Wisniewski off the roster, Goloubef finishes 6th (albeit with Murray likely to take time in a healthy season).
With such a small major league resume it’s hard to make serious judgements. Luckily, there are encouraging signs and the contract is small enough as to limit any long-term damage. Checking in at Natural Stat Trick, Goloubef finished above water in even-strength CF% (50.86) and positive relative to team (+2.27%), one of the best blueline performers with the club.
We can dig a bit deeper, considering Goloubef’s NHL term really kicked in after the start of 2015. Checking out War On Ice for CBJ d-men between January 1st and the end of the year, Goloubef ranks first in CF% at even strength, and has the lowest Corsi Against of the group (hinting at some degree of shot suppression aptitude).
The obvious caveats all come up: his limited playtime, the injuries drastically changing the team dynamics around him, all the performance for Goloubef coming a bit sheltered (favorable zone starts, somewhat limited even strength TOI). It means we can’t draw definitive conclusions. Luckily, the d-man did well in the chances given last year. This suggests it’s worth giving him a longer look. For the Blue Jackets, defensive improvements are at the top of the to-do list, and finding an answer in-house would be boon.
Ultimately, every contract is a risk. Here, the promising performance and the minimal cap hit make this a minimal risk. If Goloubef doesn’t work out? A sub-$1M contract is (relatively) easy to bury. If he clicks? He’ll be a cost-effective way to solve problems in Columbus.
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