Full Breakdown
Carson Soucy Joins Columbus Blue Jackets on Professional Tryout
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: PTO Signing
- On September 13, 2026, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that veteran defenseman Carson Soucy had been signed to a professional tryout (PTO) contract, giving him the opportunity to attend the club’s training camp and preseason contests.
Background & Context
- Soucy, a 32-year-old from Viking, Alberta, was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round, 137th overall, of the 2013 NHL Draft. Over eight NHL seasons he has played for the Wild, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and most recently the Islanders in the 2025-26 campaign. He became an unrestricted free agent after his three-year contract, which carried a $3.25 million cap hit, expired.
Data & Statistics
- Career NHL totals (through 2025-26): 32 goals, 67 assists, 99 points, 282 penalty minutes, 681 hits, 532 blocked shots, and a cumulative +54 plus/minus rating in 441 games.
- 2025-26 season (Rangers/Islanders): 5 goals, 7 assists, 12 points, 38 penalty minutes in 76 games.
- Physical profile: listed at 6 ft 5 in, 208 lb (team roster). Earlier reports note a height of 6 ft 4 in and weight of 211 lb.
- Salary-cap context: Columbus projected $12,645,001 in cap space, but the pending restricted-free-agent contract for forward Adam Fantilli could consume most of that amount, according to PuckPedia.
Official Statements & Responses
- He added that Soucy is “competitive, experienced” and that the club looks forward to having him in camp.
- The organization noted that the PTO allows Soucy to earn a standard contract, but the Blue Jackets do not hold exclusive signing rights; any team impressed by his preseason performance could sign him.
Why It Matters / Impact
- Columbus finished the 2025-26 season with a 28th-ranked penalty kill (76.0 % success), a weakness the team hopes Soucy’s size and shot-blocking ability can help address, as highlighted in team analysis reported by *Ginohard*.
- The signing adds a veteran depth option to a roster that has missed the playoffs for six straight seasons and is navigating offseason speculation surrounding defenseman Zach Werenski and forward Kirill Marchenko.
What’s Next
- Soucy will report to the Blue Jackets’ training camp, which opens in early September. The team’s first preseason matchup is scheduled for later in the month, followed by a second game the next day. His performance in these contests will determine whether he secures a regular-season contract for the 2026-27 campaign.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Carson Soucy is a big, physical stay-at-home defenseman who blocks shots, clears the net and plays an overall solid defensive game,” — Don Waddell, general manager