The Columbus Blue Jackets have gotten a head-start on their offseason to-do list, agreeing to terms with forward Liam Foudy on a two-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $750,000.
Foudy, who was headed towards restricted free agency prior to this deal, is now tied to Columbus through the 2024-25 season and will likely get a real shot to earn consistent playing time in the coming year after having only suited up for 27 NHL games to this point.
Selected in the first round of the 2018 draft by the Blue Jackets, Foudy has spent the majority of his professional career with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, debuting during their playoff run in 2018-19 before logging a 12-game stint in 2020-21, and a 29-game stint this past season.
With 35 points in 41 games at the AHL level, Foudy has now reached the point in his development where he can challenge for an NHL job in training camp this September/ He certainly has the pedigree to do so, having been a first-round pick and productive member of Team Canada’s World Junior squad in 2020.
What happens next is in his hands. However, now being locked in to earn just the league-minimum rate for the next two seasons makes him a potential bargain commodity for a rebuilding Blue Jackets club.
