Erik Gudbranson is returning to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
While speaking to media Thursday afternoon, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced that the team will soon make the deal official.
The contract is a one-year deal with a cap hit of $1.75 million.
"He finished the season strong, and he's been in the gym every day," said Waddell. ""We have a lot of puck-movers (on defense), but he is our physicality on the blue line."
After playing for seven teams in 11 seasons before joining the Blue Jackets, Gudbranson signed a four-year deal worth $4 million per year in the opening day of free agency in 2022.
Gudbranson, 34, has battled injuries in the last two seasons after playing in 148 of a possible 164 games in the first two years of the deal.
The 6'5", 225lb veteran defenseman played just 16 games in 2024-25 and only 37 games in the 2025-26 campaign, but was a fixture on the third pairing of Columbus' defense when he was available.
