The Columbus Blue Jackets are making waves in the college free agent market, having already secured Jack Williams with a two-year entry-level contract. This marks a shift in strategy as the current management is poised to be more aggressive than previous regimes. Furthermore, Cornell's forward Dalton Bancroft is drawing attention from several NHL teams, including the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, but will have to wait until Cornell's NCAA tournament run concludes before signing.

In other news, the Washington Capitals recently extended defenseman Jakob Chychrun for eight years at $9 million, a move that took some by surprise. Analysts suggest that this could be viewed as a bargain if the salary cap rises as projected, potentially reaching $120 million in the coming years. The Capitals expect Chychrun to be a cornerstone of their future.