The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Eric Robinson to a two-year extension that keeps him under contract through the 2021-22 season. The forward was scheduled to become a restricted free agent at the end of the year. Blue Jackets’ GM Jarmo Kekalainen released a short statement:
Eric is an exciting young player that has gotten better and better over the past two seasons. He is a tremendous young man, has game-breaking speed and we believe will be a very good player for us as he continues to work hard and improve his game.
CapFriendly reports that the deal will carry an average annual value of $975K. Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent at its conclusion.
Though he was technically scheduled for RFA status, Robinson actually had a chance at becoming a Group VI UFA this summer had he not played in 35 of the team’s final games this season. That means he’s giving up a chance to pursue other opportunities, but after finding a home with the Blue Jackets it’s hard to blame him.
The blazing fast forward, affectionately called “Wheels” in the announcement on Twitter, has five goals and nine points through 31 games for Columbus this season. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Princeton University in 2018, he has 45 career games in the NHL.
The Blue Jackets still have quite a few restricted free agents to sign before next season, including Pierre-Luc Dubois, Josh Anderson, Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins.