Jake Bean signed a three-year, $7 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. It has an average annual value of $2.33 million.
The 23-year-old defenseman, who was a restricted free agent, was acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 23.
Bean scored 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 42 games as a rookie with the Hurricanes last season and one goal in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Selected by Carolina with the No. 13 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, he has scored 12 points in 44 NHL games.
"Jake Bean is a skilled defenseman who is an excellent skater, sees the ice very well and makes good decisions with the puck," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "He's a really smart player that can run a power play, is responsible defensively and we think is going to be an important part of our blueline. We're excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family."
Carolina received a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (defenseman Aleksi Heimosalmi) that Columbus acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks as part of the trade for defenseman Seth Jones.
Forward Patrik Laine, who could have become a restricted free agent, accepted a one-year qualifying offer for $7.5 million from the Blue Jackets on Wednesday, and forward Alexandre Texier, who could have become a restricted free agent, signed a two-year, $3.05 million contract ($1.525 million AAV).
Forwards Boone Jenner (four years, $15 million; $3.75 AAV) and Eric Robinson (two-years, $3.2 million; $1.6 million AAV) each signed a contract extension that begins next season, and forward Sean Kuraly, who was an unrestricted free agent, signed a four-year, $10 million contract ($2.5 million AAV) on Wednesday.
