Blue Jackets Sign Mike Commodore to Five-Year Deal

[gauros]

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed free agent defenseman Mike Commodore to a five-year contract, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today.

The 6-foot-5, 228-pound native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta has appeared in 296 career NHL games and registered 14 goals and 49 assists for 63 points and 439 penalty minutes with the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators. He split the 2007-08 season between Carolina and Ottawa, tallying 3-11-14 and 100 penalty minutes in 67 games.

"We are building a team identity based on competitiveness and being hard to play against and Mike fits that very well," said Howson. "He is a physical presence on the blueline, has won championships at various levels throughout his career and we think he will be an excellent addition to our hockey club."

Prior to joining the Senators last season, Commodore spent two-plus years with the Hurricanes. In 2006-07, he set career highs with 7-22-29 and added 113 penalty minutes in 82 games. Following the season, he helped Team Canada win a gold medal at the World Championship Tournament. In 2005-06, he tallied 3-10-13 and 138 penalty minutes with a +12 plus/minus rating in 72 games during the regular season. He then added 2-2-4 and 33 penalty minutes in 25 playoff games to help Carolina win the Stanley Cup title.

Commodore, 28, was a member of the Flames organization for three seasons, including 2003-04 when he collected 25 penalty minutes in 12 regular season games and helped Calgary reach the Stanley Cup Final by chipping in 0-2-2 and 19 penalty minutes in 20 playoff outings.

New Jersey's second pick, 42nd overall, in the 1999 Entry Draft, he spent two years in the Devils organization from 2000-02. He split both seasons between New Jersey and Albany of the American Hockey League, picking up 1-5-6 and 44 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Devils during that time.

Prior to joining the professional ranks, Commodore played three seasons at the University of North Dakota from 1997-00. He registered 10-20-30 and 382 penalty minutes in 96 career NCAA games, helped the Fighting Sioux capture the national championship in 1999-00 and earning All-NCAA Tournament honors. He was also a two-time WCHA All-Academic Team selection.

[HordiBrusk29]

Damn. I was hoping he'd go to Phoenix.

[nyislesfan45]

Good, now send Hainsey to LI.

[ScottRasner]

Sumbitch, Hordi what are we doing? Do you have any info at all?

[pds888]

Dam I'd rather yotes have gotten him instead of Sauer but I guess I can't complain we got Fedoruk. I hope we can get Jim Vandemeer or Jason Smith. But more toughness in the West thats good.

[moxie]

My god the Sens are looking soft for next year... We lost McGrattan, Commodore, and stand to lose Lapointe, Richardson, and possibly Donovan. I am not in favour of signing many of those guys due to age but they DEFINITELY need to be replaced.

Commodore is a great team guy and will fit into the Jackets' framework better than he did here. I really would have liked to see him play here for a few more years. He didn't really get a fair shake.

[Viper207]

I really expected him to go to Phoenix too, but um, isn't this deal kinda cheap? 3.7 million? That's what Brad Stuart went for... I now feel a little ripped off.



Fuk it, it's not my money

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by ScottRasner

Sumbitch, Hordi what are we doing? Do you have any info at all?

No I don't unfortunately. As of right now I have my fingers crossed for Brooks Orpik.

[ScottRasner]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

No I don't unfortunately. As of right now I have my fingers crossed for Brooks Orpik.

What do you think of Jason Smith, and do you think were in the market for another forward?

[Snipes19]

Commodore did pretty well for himself in this deal.

Good acquisition for Columbus as he will help replace Hainsey who is expected to sign elsewhere. Commodore gives them a physical presence on the blueline and is a middleweight to go along with Boll and Tollefsen. Now Columbus just needs a heavyweight.

[HordiBrusk29]

I love Jason Smith. How can you not? That being said he'd be welcomed on my team any day of the week. Orpik would just be a better choice for the Coyotes long term.

[ScottRasner]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

I love Jason Smith. How can you not? That being said he'd be welcomed on my team any day of the week. Orpik would just be a better choice for the Coyotes long term.

So a negative on another forwad?

[HordiBrusk29]

Sorry I didn't see that part of your post. I think they are in the market for another forward but I don't know if they will be willing to spend as much as most teams are thus far. Right now another defenseman is their biggest issue.

[R.Middleton]

Originally Posted by ScottRasner

So a negative on another forwad?

No I wouldn't say that. We didn't re-sign Vrbata so Maloney may be in search for a sniper.

Damn you Columbus.

[BGDDYKWL]

This is pretty much what I figured he'd go for. Certainly hoped he would come to the Yotes, and at under $4M it probably would've been manageable, but....Considering Finger got $3.5M this is a steal.