Jarmo Kekalainen seems determined to build the Blue Jackets' forward depth.
He saw Matt Calvert and Thomas Vanek walk out the door via free agency, then added Riley Nash with a prudent July 1 pact for three years. Then there's the ongoing Artemi Panarin situation.
And Thursday, after some reporting hula-hoops that began in Montreal, Anthony Duclair appears set to sign a one-year deal with the Blue Jackets.
According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, the contract is worth $650,000. Duclair spent part of last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, who didn't tender him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.
Looks like Anthony Duclair will play with the @BlueJacketsNHL next season. It should be a one year deal at $650 000 (one way)
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 5, 2018
Duclair, 22, was a third-round pick of the New York Rangers in 2013 – and was heralded for his speed and offensive upside. The offense hasn't come around just yet, but this is a low-risk, potentially high-reward deal for the Blue Jackets as he's still a young player. Duclair was traded from the Rangers to Arizona Coyotes in 2015 as part of the Keith Yandle deal, and in 2015-16, had a breakout season of 20 goals and 44 points.
The news of Duclair deciding to sign with the Blue Jackets was first reported by Jeremy Filosa of Montreal radio earlier Thursday.
