How Much Will the Blue Jackets Need to Pay to Re-Sign Mason Marchment?

Despite narrowly missing the playoffs, the Columbus Blue Jackets have some things to be happy about. Defenseman Zach Werenski won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman. They locked down center Charlie Coyle after a strong season.

That said, the Blue Jackets do have some important decisions to make. Perhaps chief among them is finding a way to re-sign recent addition Mason Marchment to a new contract that works within the tight cap structure the team is working with.

A Difference-Making Trade

Marchment, acquired in a mid-season trade, became an instant difference-maker for the Blue Jackets. His story is perfect for a town like Columbus, an undrafted free agent who managed to climb the ranks and become an effective NHL forward.

After struggling to find his place with the Seattle Kraken, Marchment immediately fit in with his new club. In 29 games with the Kraken, he had just four goals and 13 points. In 39 games with Columbus, Marchment lit the lamp 15 times and contributed 32 points, easily becoming one of the team’s most effective forwards. He finished the season on absolute tear, picking up points seven of his final eight games.

By the end of the season, Marchment had found a place on the top line with budding young stars Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko. Locking him up became a sudden and urgent priority for the Blue Jackets heading into the offseason.

What Will His Next Contract Look Like?

The question is, “What does his next contract look like?” Historically, he has been a guy who produces around 20 goals and somewhere in the 45-50-point range. At 31 years old, he is also on the backside of his career. Still, it’s hard to ignore his performance and how well he played in Columbus.

The 6-foot-5 forward just finished four-year contract that paid him $4.5 million annually. He’s going to get a bump, but that may not be the biggest part of his contractual questions. The real questions are, “How strongly do the Blue Jackets feel about him” and “What kind of contract length are we talking about?”

Realistically, he’s probably going to come in at around $6 million per season. Surely, Marchment sees how his production shot up playing with Fantilli and Marchenko. Would that be worth a little less to stay in a spot where the chemistry is so good?

A Major Move for the Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets need to make sure that this happens. There should be competition, especially from rebuilding teams looking to add solid middle-six pieces that won’t cost an exorbitant amount of money.

If the Blue Jackets could get him for $6 million for 3-4 years, that would be a big win. Even $6.5 million per season would be solid. They may have a little more flexibility by letting a few veteran free agents walk away, and roster spots will be at a premium this offseason.

Having Marchment back in the fold would perhaps allow them to take a swing at a bigger piece. On his own, Marchment is a hard-nosed, veteran forward capable of playing anywhere in the top nine. If he can continue to produce at the same level, it will be a deal for the Blue Jackets.