A collection of notes and nibbles as the Blue Jackets head into the NHL’s silly season:



• The only pending unrestricted free agent the Blue Jackets seem intent on resigning is defenseman Ian Cole, and even that is far from a guarantee. Cole has said that he loves playing in Columbus and would be delighted to stay, even if it means foregoing a taste of the market on July 1. But it’s unclear if the Blue Jackets are willing to put a deal on the table that’s substantial enough — likely $4 million-plus per year on a multiyear deal — to keep Cole from testing the market. He could make substantially more amid a feeding frenzy in what is a pretty weak class of free-agent defensemen. Talks continue with the Blue Jackets, but Cole is in the driver’s seat here.



• If the Blue Jackets can’t/don’t re-sign Cole, there’s a chance there will be a market for his rights between the draft and July 1. Perhaps surprisingly,...