Jackets’ free-agent shopping list not long

Jarmo Kekalainen was one of the busier general managers at the NHL’s trade deadline in February, when he made three deals to add veteran players to the Blue Jackets’ run to the postseason.

He isn’t expected to be as busy Sunday — although the Jackets should make some moves when the league’s free-agency period opens at noon.

Although the opening of free agency is a tempting buffet, Kekalainen said he’s exercising self control.

“We want to grow this team, give opportunity to our guys who we believe are going to become good NHL players,” Kekalainen said Saturday afternoon.

“We don’t want to get a guy who isn’t a good fit. If we think there’s a fit, sure, we will add something which can make our team better. But we’re not desperately gouging the market to add a player or two.”

As the Blue Jackets potentially add a few pieces — a forward or two, perhaps a defenseman — they most certainly are going Jack Johnson, getting stopped by then-Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury during the playoffs in 2017, is expected to sign a five-year deal with Pittsburgh. to lose some familiar faces.

Defenseman Jack Johnson, who has played six-plus seasons with the Jackets, is reportedly off to division rival Pittsburgh. Johnson is said to be getting a five-year deal there.

The Jackets have probably seen the last of forward Matt Calvert. He didn’t seem too happy with

coach John Tortorella’s assessment of his play when Tortorella compared it to a toilet seat: “Up and down,” Tortorella said before Game 6 against the Capitals.

The Blue Jackets are also expected to lose at least two of the free agents acquired at the deadline as Thomas Vanek and Mark Letestu move on. Vanek is reportedly

returning to Detroit, where he played two seasons ago.

“We have guys here,” Kekalainen said, “who will be hungry to take whatever spots we have open.”

Defenseman Ian Cole, who could not be reached this week, has an offer on the table but has been checking out his worth in a weak open market. Cole, 29, is thought to be looking for a four-year contract.

“I can’t say enough how great these guys were,” Cole said when the season ended. “I really have nothing but positive things to say about my experience here in Columbus. … It was awesome.”

Said Kekalainen: “We want to keep Ian Cole and we have made that known. We will see what happens. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do.

If a guy wants to go somewhere else, he does. But we have made it clear we would like to keep him.”

If the Blue Jackets were to lose all of their pending free agents — which is possible — there will be plenty of depth players available come Sunday afternoon.

Although the Jackets aren’t in on the few big players atop this freeagency class, they are thought to have interest in a number a few rungs down from the likes of John Tavares, James van Riemsdyk, James Neal and Paul Stastny.

With Letestu, Vanek and Calvert gone, the Jackets would likely add at least one forward and may look for top-six help to replace Vanek. If Cole were to depart, the Jackets may look for a suitable replacement yet feel they are deep at the position.

Gabriel Carlsson would get a look at camp, and Dean Kukan and Scott Harrington could get bigger roles.

The Blue Jackets can also now offer extensions to players with one year remaining on their existing deals (Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky), as well as defenseman Zach Werenski.

Although Panarin has told the Jackets he doesn’t want to talk extension now, Kekalainen said he plans to meet with his star wing later this summer in Europe. The Jackets are thought to have already offered Panarin an eight-year contract.

“I meet with him face-to-face every day during the season, so this is nothing out of the ordinary,” Kekalainen said. “We’re both in Europe and have a situation that has come up. I want to talk to him, make sure we’re on the same page when he gets here for training camp.”