NHL News: Reilly Will Not Sign With Blue Jackets, Hits Free Agency

Columbus Blue Jackets announced Wednesday that Mike Reilly will not sign with the team that drafted him exploring his options in free agency.

Per NHL’s official website, Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Reilly exercised his right in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to talk to other teams.

Reilly, who was drafted by Columbus in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft, did not sign with the Blue Jackets before the June 15 deadline and narrowed down the list of teams he wants to play for, which includes 2015 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers.

"He narrowed his list down to two or three teams and we're not one of them. We did everything we could, but we have to make other plans now. He was a good prospect for us but we have to move forward. This was something that we were waiting for. This effects the decisions we make from this point on [in the offseason], and now we have to make other decisions accordingly," Kekalainen said.

Just a couple of days after the Blackhawks beat the Tampa Bay Lighting in game 6 of their best-of-seven series and lifted the 2015 Stanley Cup for the third time since 2010, the champs are already looking to bolster their lineup for the next season and has interest in signing the 21 year-old prospect.

The 6-foot-1 defenseman, who won a bronze medal with Team USA at the International Ice Hockey Federation on May, is highly regarded for his skating skills and offensive prowess posting 89 points over three years including 42 in 39 games in his junior season.

"Coming into the year the focus was on the [University of Minnesota], making a good run, but it was a tough ending for us. After sitting back a little bit I realized what was in front of me and I thought it would be good to potentially see what else is out there," Reilly told NHL.com.

Reilly is a two-time All-America selection and finished in the top 10 for the Hobey Baker Merorial Award as college hockey’s best player in its previous season and will certainly help the Blackhawks in their bid to get a second consecutive title.