The Columbus Blue Jackets took a step towards replenishing nearly bare cupboards, signing Everett Silvertips defender Jake Christiansen to a three-year entry-level contract last Wednesday.

It’s the type of move we’ll see a lot more of in the coming days and weeks from around the league, and don’t surprised if the Blue Jackets have their hands in just about every pie.

They’re just one year removed from going all-in at the trade deadline, parting with a pair of prospects and six draft picks to thrust their roster into the playoffs, where they won their first series in franchise history, upsetting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Whether it was worth it or not is up for debate; the cost is less ambiguous.

Adding a defender of Christiansen’s calibre for naught but the cost of the contract is a nice way