Report: Mason Marchment Finished In Columbus, Heading to Open Market

When Mason Marchment arrived in Columbus, he began his Blue Jackets run with 

nine goals in his first 12 games and 16 points in 16 games. It seemed, at one time, that he'd be the one pending unrestricted free agent that the Jackets would be loath to let go to market. 

However, according to insider David Pagnotta, it appears that Marchment's time with the Blue Jackets could be done, as there will be no extension reached before July 1, and he'll be hitting free agency and "prepared to leave Columbus."

The Fourth Period has learned that, barring a significant change in talks, Marchment is heading to market...

Teams looking to bolster their middle six will come calling, and Marchment will have no shortage of interest from clubs eyeing more secondary scoring.

Marchment is coming off a four-year, $18 million contract ($4.5M AAV), and had his third consecutive consistent season right around the 20-goal, 45-point mark. His numbers in his 39 games with Columbus were even better, with 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games, with a plus/minus rating of +21 while logging a career-high 17:41 average time on ice. 

The 31-year-old also brings size (6'5", 212 pounds), and a heavy, two-way game. 

AFP Analytics projects him to be able to land a three-year deal with a $5.67 million AAV, which would be a nice raise. 

In 370 NHL games, Marchment has tallied 95 goals and 234 points, while handing out 549 hits. 

The Blue Jackets have several other pending UFAs to worry about as well, with Boone Jenner and Danton Heinen up front, and Erik Gudbranson on the back line. 

For the potential losses to their forward corps, they have been linked to the likes of Jake DeBrusk (Vancouver) and Jared McCann (Seattle) among others, writes Pagnotta.