The Columbus Blue Jackets have resigned Andrew Peeke to a three-year contract extension. The deal is $8.25 million spread out over three seasons. Peeke was set to become a restricted free agent after this season. However, this new contract keeps Peeke in Columbus until the 2025-2026 season. The American defenseman is a second-round pick of Columbus back in 2016. He also played three years of college hockey at the University of Notre Dame. Peeke showed his durability by skating in all eighty-two games for the Blue Jackets last season.
Peeke has proven himself as a steady reliable defenseman for the organization. With Columbus already being close to the cap ceiling, finding reliable and consistent help at an affordable contract is a good deal for both Peeke and the Blue Jackets. Peeke is known as a physical defenseman that can play in many different situations which also has to be appealing to Columbus.
At $2.75 million per season, Peeke gets a nice pay increase starting next year, and the Blue Jackets get an agile defenseman for a reasonable price. This was a wise move by General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen. Jarmo has developed quite the reputation over the last few years for drafting, developing and acquiring successful NHL defenders and this is no different.
