It's little secret that the Blue Jackets would like to upgrade their defensive corps this offseason after a year in which they struggled on the blue line. And it just so happens that they hold the rights to one of the top defensemen in college hockey.
Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, though, those rights are likely going to turn out to be meaningless. Mike Reilly, a standout defenseman at Minnesota for the past three seasons who was selected by the Blue Jackets in the fourth round in 2011, reportedly has told the team and the NHL that he is turning pro but plans to forgo signing with Columbus during the exclusive bargaining period (which ends on July 1) in favor of becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The 21-year-old Reilly was the Big Ten's defensive player of the year in each of the last two seasons, leading his team and all NCAA defensemen in scoring this past season with 42 points. He also played for Team USA at the recently completed World Championships, so there's not much doubt that he's an NHL-caliber player. He just won't be the Blue Jackets' NHL-caliber player after July 1, assuming reports are accurate.
To add insult to injury, the Blue Jackets would not receive a draft pick as compensation for Reilly signing elsewhere because he was not a first-round pick. If he walks, Columbus simply loses one of its more promising prospects.
The upshot: A team short on quality defensive prospects is now even shorter, so don't be surprised to see the Blue Jackets move aggressively in either free agency or the trade market to try to improve their blue line.
Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
