Goloubef signs one-year deal with Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have come to terms with Cody Goloubef.

Goloubef, a 23-year-old blue liner who was drafted by the Jackets in the second round of the 2008 draft, has signed a one-year deal with the team.

A University of Wisconsin product, Goloubef has spent the last three years in the Blue Jackets system, and suited up in a career high 11 NHL games last season. In his AHL career, which spans 143 games, Goloubef has potted 11 goals and 33 assists.

In just 38 games with the Springfield Falcons last season, the 6-foot-1 defenceman tied a career high with five goals, and fell four points short of tying his career high in points (17).

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Machacek brought back by Jackets

Spencer Machacek, who finished last season as a member of the Springfield Falcons, has signed a new deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Machacek, 24, had spent the bulk of the previous five seasons in the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets organization, but was dealt to the Jackets late last season in exchange for Tomas Kubalik. An AHL All-Star in 2010-11, Machacek has been a proficient scorer in the AHL, but has never had the opportunity to take a full-time role in the NHL. His new deal in Columbus will likely be more of the same, with the Lethbridge, Alta., native spending the majority of his time in Springfield with the Falcons.

In 2011-12, while still with the Jets organization, Machacek suited up for 13 games with the Jets and potted two goals and seven assists, but was sent down three months after being recalled. In his 389 AHL contests, Machacek has racked up 105 goals and 153 assists.

A member of the Vancouver Giants Memorial Cup winning team in 2006-07, Machacek was a WHL standout, putting up 209 points (97-112) in his junior career.

Savard re-signed by Blue Jackets

David Savard is back with the Blue Jackets for at least one more year.

The St-Hyacinthe, Que., native has signed a one-year, two-way deal with the organization, that will likely see him spend a fair amount of time in Springfield.

Savard, who spent his junior with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats, came to the pros after playing three seasons in the ‘Q’. During his final season in the ‘Q’, 2009-10, Savard was showered with accolades. Named the CHL Defenceman of the Year, a CHL First All-Star, QMJHL Best Defensive Defenceman, QMJHL Defenceman of the Year, and a QMJHL First All-Star, Savard came to Springfield and lit it up from the blue line.

In 2010-11, his first pro season, Savard tallied 11 goals and 32 assists in 72 games, and parlayed it into a stint with the big club the following year. In 2011-12, Savard split time between the AHL and NHL, playing 31 games with the Jackets and another 44 in the minors.

Last season, however, Savard had a difficult time cracking the Jackets lineup once the lockout ended, only appearing in four games. During his time with Springfield last season — 60 games — Savard registered five goals and 26 assists.

This contract could, realistically, be make or break for Savard. If Columbus is unwilling to lock him up long term, there is a possibility that Savard could get a look from another club when his deal expires next year.

(Cover image by Bridget Samuels)

St. Denis leaves Bulldogs for Falcons

After four seasons in the Montreal Canadiens organization, Frederic St. Denis has signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Unable to crack the Canadiens roster for more than 17 games, St. Denis goes to Columbus where an extended stint in the bigs could be a possibility. At 27 years old, the 5’11” defenceman is entering into his prime, but is coming off of a season in which his point production fell off.

In 63 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs last season, St. Denis only managed 18 points (7-11), a drop in production from his 28 points (3-25) in 58 games the year prior. A veteran of nearly 300 games in the ‘A’, St. Denis brings an effective two-way game to the rink, but he’s not a lock to make the jump into the NHL with the Jackets.

In his career, St. Denis has scored 19 goals and 69 assists, producing at .33 points per game at the AHL level.

The contract in Columbus is a one-year, two-way deal.

Blue Jackets sign AHL veteran, Calder Cup Champion McNeill

After six years in Chocolatetown, Patrick McNeill is heading to Springfield.

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced they had signed the 26-year-old McNeill yesterday, and it will signal the end of the defenceman’s run in Hershey.

In 356 games with the Bears, McNeill put up 38 goals and 128 assists, and won a Calder Cup in 2009-10. In their run to the Calder Cup, McNeill had three goals and three assists in 11 games. Though McNeill spent significant time on the sidelines last year with injuries, he was still able to put up 17 points (4-13) in 47 games.

A fourth round selection in 2005 by the Capitals, McNeill is an offensive defenceman, and will see minutes on the Barons PP. With Justin Schultz up in the NHL, the Barons will need someone to quarterback their powerplay, and McNeill could be just that man.

McNeill’s contract is a one-year, two-way deal that will pay him $600,000 in both the NHL and AHL, according to CapGeek.

Falcons fill net need with Mike McKenna

The Columbus Blue Jackets inked goaltender Mike McKenna to a one-year, two-way deal yesterday that will see the 30-year-old suit up for the Springfield Falcons.

McKenna, a native of Springfield, Miss., has been quite the journeyman over the last nine years, playing in Peoria, Binghamton, Albany, Lowell, Norfolk, Portland, Milkwauke, Omaha, and Las Vegas (ECHL).

Last season McKenna suited up for 39 games with the Rivermen, posting a 2.38 GAA and .924 SV%. OVer his career, McKenna has never started more than 50 games a year, but will likely get a chance to best that total in Springfield.

Though McKenna has bounced around the league, it’s more a testament to his ability to come in and get the job done, rather than speaking to any faults in his game. While he’s only statistically improved with age — as is normal with the goaltending profession — McKenna is finally coming into a situation where he can take a number one job and, quite possibly, hold it for a substantial amount of time.