Blue Jackets Sign Derek Dorsett To Three-Year Extension

[chilly666]

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed right wing Derek Dorsett to a three-year contract, club Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Dorsett (pronounced DOHRS-iht) registered 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points and had 235 penalty minutes in 77 games with the Blue Jackets in 2011-12. He led the NHL in penalty minutes and is one of only three players since the start of the 1996-97 season to lead the league in that category and post double digit goals. He set career highs in goals, points, penalty minutes, games played, shots (137) and time on ice average (14:41), while leading the club in hits (199) and ranking fourth in takeaways (36).

“Derek is an extremely competitive and hard-working player,” said Howson. “He has improved every year and we look forward to his continued growth as a player and leader on our team.”

The 25-year-old was Columbus’ ninth pick, 189th overall, in the 2006 Entry Draft. He has collected 24-32-56 and 674 penalty minutes in 256 career NHL games. Dorsett made his NHL debut at Phoenix on October 11, 2008 and went on to lead NHL rookies in penalty minutes (150) that season. He has improved his point total in each of his four seasons and has the third-most penalty minutes in the NHL since the start of the 2008-09 season (Zenon Konopka-794, Chris Neil-709).

A native of Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Dorsett played three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League from 2004-07. He tallied 49-79-128, 593 penalty minutes and a +42 cumulative plus/minus rating in 180 career WHL games. He added 21-13-34 and 144 penalty minutes in 43 career playoff games, helping the Tigers win the 2007 WHL Championship. He made his professional debut with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League in 2007-08 and went on to record 11-13-24, 324 penalty minutes and a +7 cumulative plus/minus rating in 71 career AHL games.

[straka91]

First good move by Howson in awhile.

[chilly666]

$4.9 million over the 3 years

[ThrowdownSJ408]

he played well this season.

[HordiBrusk29]

I'll always dislike Dorsett due to his antics when he played for the Medicine Hat Tigers but I will say he's an entertaining guy to watch and he certainly gives it his all night in and night out. I'd rather have more guys like this around the league than soft ass wimpy 4th liners that most teams seem to prefer to carry this day and age.

[chilly666]

there is one guy that is happy about the money in this contract besides dorsett...its brandon prust. he's making $800k and is due a raise. this deal is just gonna make that raise a little bigger for him.

[bruiser11]

That was deserved.

[Captain Crunch28]

I think this means the end for Boll. He is an RFA but I think it's unlikely that they re-sign him.

[brymaster1]

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch28

I think this means the end for Boll. He is an RFA but I think it's unlikely that they re-sign him.

I'll take him! He's been one of my favorite fighters to watch the last couple of years. Westgarth is virtually useless.

[acdcrocksno1]

Deserved fights a ton and can play a bit. These are the sort of players you can expect to start seeing more of with the decline of HW's

[tyler1]

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch28

I think this means the end for Boll. He is an RFA but I think it's unlikely that they re-sign him.

Unfortunately.....
I think you are correct...
If that it the case , add the CBJ to the list of other pu$$y NHL teams.
(1 guy who will shed the mitts, but he is only 5"10 & 190lbs at best).

the pending Nash trade better bring a big return.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Love Dorsetts guts, but he definitely needs help in Columbus.
If hes expected to do the everyday heavy lifting, his career might not last three more years.

[Isles4life]

You've gotta love the way Dorsett plays the game. Great team player, entertaining as all heck, and he can contribute a little offensively as well. It was a miserable season for Columbus, and times don't look to bright in the near future, but at least Dorsett will be around to provide a brightspot for the fans.

[MattBurger]

Would've loved to see Dorsett on the Bruins' 4th line with Thornton and Campbell.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by MattBurger

Would've loved to see Dorsett on the Bruins' 4th line with Thornton and Campbell.

That'd make a good 4th line, but Paille is a great penalty killer.

A guy like Brandon Prust or Travis Moen could combine Dorsett's fighting job and Paille's penalty killing thing.

Imagine Prust - Campbell - Thornton !!