Blue Jackets now have yet another big extension to worry about

As if it hasn't been a difficult enough year already for the Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Don Waddell. Now, this week's shocking, history-making $43M signing of Tristan Luneau by the Anaheim Ducks has put the pressure on Waddell once again. 

Elliotte Friedman noted on The Fan Hockey Show on Friday that the Luneau extension will mean some pretty big bucks for pending restricted free agent Denton Mateychuk. 

Someone texted me another name last night that that is going to be really good for, is Denton Mateychuk. That just made Columbus's job a bit harder.

Of course, it's not just the Luneau deal that applies here for Mateychuk. Luneau had just 14 games of NHL experience. A more realistic comp than the $7.2M AAV that the Ducks' D-man got, could be Zeev Buium, who secured a long-term, $9.38M AAV extension from the Vancouver Canucks this summer.  

As for Mateychuk, the 22-year-old has a spot this season lining up alongside Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. In the Blue Jackets' opening game of the season on Thursday night, a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres, Mateychuk logged over 27 minutes of ice time.  

Last year, he registered 31 points and a plus/minus rating of +12 in 75 games, along with 92 blocked shots. A big payday is coming. And the longer the Blue Jackets wait, the higher that price tag could go. 

Mateychuk was Columbus's first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. 

Another contract crisis coming for Blue Jackets? 

As for Waddell, he has had to put out fire after fire since the end of last season. It started with the Zach Werenski scare; the league's top defenseman from 2025-26 seemed to be looking to get out of town, so Waddell arranged for a tentative trade to the Dallas Stars for Thomas Harley. Werenski, however, vetoed the trade by invoking his full no-movement clause, and he and the GM have since "moved past the situation," and Werenski remains "committed" to Columbus. For now. 

The Adam Fantilli contract stalemate dominated the month of September, as the team had a diffuclt time coming to terms with the RFA and top-line center. That was resolved a week ago with a six-year, $13.75M AAV deal. 

All of that, while dealing with summer long Kirill Marchenko situation. The Russian star was going to be a pending UFA, and it was clear he would not be re-signing in Columbus. Waddell waddled out of that crisis as well, pulling off a fine deal, landing Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Marchenko, on the eve of the regular season. 

Next up, what will be a massive new extension for Mateychuk, whenever Waddell has the wherewithal to take on that massive task.