The Blue Jackets paid a sixth-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes to offload the salary of Jakub Voracek, in exchange for goaltender Jon Gillies, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic first reported. Gillies has been loaned to AHL Cleveland.
Another contract that could be on ARIZs radar is Jakub Voraceks. There is cash for next year, but if hes (unfortunately) unable to play, there would be insurance considerations.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 2, 2023
Also, @PuckReportNHL reported that Tucson Roadrunners goalie Jon Gillies is headed back to the Blue Jackets.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) March 2, 2023
Nothing official from either team yet.
Arizona's financial situation is being laid bare. https://t.co/zBysnTebcf
"This move provides us with some organizational goaltending depth for the remainder of the season and flexibility from a salary cap standpoint to improve our team moving forward," GM Jarmo Kekalainen said in the team's statement.
Voracek, 33, played in 11 games this season, recording 1-5--6, and has played in 1058 regular-season games, posting 223-586--806, which includes 46-156--202 in 331 games with the Blue Jackets. He hasn't played since Nov. 4 in Finland vs. Colorado due to a concussion.
“Jake has had a number of head injuries during his career, and after the most recent was advised by doctors to take some time off to see if his ongoing symptoms subside to the point that will allow him to come back and play,” Kekalainen said on Dec. 2. “We don’t expect a resolution in the near future and will give Jake as much time as he needs as his long-term health is the most important factor here.”
Voracek is in the seventh year of an eight-year, $8.25M cap-hit deal.
