Columbus Blue Jackets Waive Defenseman Adam BoqvistColumbus Blue Jackets Waive Defenseman Adam Boqvist The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Sunday that they have placed defenseman Adam Boqvist on unconditional waivers, intending to buy out the final season of his contract. Boqvist, 23, was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. The Blue Jackets acquired him in a trade with the Blackhawks in the summer of 2021. Last season, Boqvist appeared in 35 games for Columbus, recording one goal and nine assists. His best NHL season came in 2022-23, when he scored 24 points in 46 games. Salary Cap Implications According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the Blue Jackets will receive a rare pay raise in the 2024-25 season due to Boqvist’s age. Boqvist was scheduled to earn $2.6 million in the final year of his contract. The buyout will give the Blue Jackets a salary cap credit of $66,666 next season and leave them with $533,334 in dead salary space for the 2025-26 season. Boqvist’s Future With the buyout, Boqvist will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday. He joins a crowded market of right-handed defensemen, including players like Brett Pesce, Sean Walker, and Matt Dumba. A change of scenery could potentially revive Boqvist’s career. Blue Jackets’ Outlook The Blue Jackets enter free agency with around $24 million in cap space. They have several restricted free agents to re-sign, including Patrik Laine, who has been involved in trade talks. The team is expected to make significant roster changes this offseason, and Boqvist’s departure is the first step in that process.
The Columbus Blue Jackets placed defenseman Adam Boqvist on unconditional waivers on Sunday, with the intention of buying out the final season of his contract.
As Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff notes, the Blue Jackets are getting a rare pay raise for the 2024-25 season because Boqvist is only 23 years old:
Boqvist was set to earn $2.6 million in the final season of his contract and now the Blue Jackets will get a salary cap credit of $66,666 for next season and are responsible for $533,334 in dead salary space for the 2025-26 season.
The right-handed defenseman was originally selected in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks, eighth overall in 2018, and was acquired by the Blue Jackets in the Seth Jones trade in the summer of 2021. Last season in Columbus, Boqvist played in 35 games, scoring once and adding nine assists.
The Swedish defender’s best season came in 2022/23, when he scored 24 points in 46 games. Unfortunately, injury issues and inconsistent production were two stories surrounding Boqvist early in his career.
With the 2024 free-agent market loaded with right-handed defensemen, the 23-year-old becomes an interesting free-agent option for a number of teams, including those looking to sign Brett Pesce, Sean Walker or Matt Dumba. They could now see Boqvist as a backup plan and perhaps a change of scenery will revive his young career.
As for the Blue Jackets, they head into free agency on Monday to freshen up their roster. New general manager Don Waddell has about $24 million to work with in cap space and while the team has a number of restricted free agents pending to re-sign, they also have Patrik Laine involved in trade talks. Needless to say, the Blue Jackets are going to look a lot different next season and now you can cross Boqvist off their long-term plans.
