A former teammate of Johnny Gaudreau actually made his deal happen with Columbus
The Columbus Blue Jackets had a great opening day or Free Agency. Jarmo Kekalainen got a ton of credit for landing Johnny Gaudreau, and it may sound odd, but Erik Gudbranson should actually receive a serious assist. The Jackets signed Gudbranson to a 4 year deal worth $4,000,000 per season and that deal immediately paid off.
Gudbranson here in this video is revealed as the deal maker between Jarmo Kekäläinen and Johnny Gaudreau.
The blockbuster deal surprised the market, as it was reported that Gaudreau was either headed to Philadelphia or New Jersey at the time. Tom Fitzgerald and Chuck Fletcher may have passed on the deal if this was the case.
With the signing, the Blue Jackets have had to painfully move Oliver Bjorkstrand for assets, which was an unpopular move as expressed by the fans.
But in reality, we traded a 50-point player and added a 100-point player and made the blueline tougher, despite the fact. He is the "character" signing of the free agency for the Jackets and a good mentor for many of the younger blueliners.
And not only that, but he appears to have helped elevate the Blue Jackets to the next level and hopefully a 2nd-round win, which never happened under John Tortorella.
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532520.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532460.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532257.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
