[Gotham Dark Knight]

BLUE JACKETS
Vyborny agrees to two-year contract
Career season proved his value to the team
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH



The Blue Jackets, in desperate need of scoring as their inaugural season approached, plied the European hands market in the summer and fall of 2000. They traded for the rights to Espen Knutsen and Jan Caloun and signed Martin Spanhel, Alexander Selivanov and David Vyborny. The hope was that one of them would have some mitts, and stick.

One of them stuck fast, and will continue to stick.

Vyborny, the team’s leading scorer this season and the first player in Blue Jackets history to register three consecutive 20-goal seasons, has agreed to terms on a new contract, he said last night.

"I’m happy," Vyborny said. "It’s what I wanted — to stay here — and it’s good we finally got it done."

Vyborny, 31, was a potential unrestricted free agent. Although terms were not disclosed, the contract is for two years and believed to be worth $2 million to $2.4 million per season. He made $1.14 million in 2005-06.
"It’s an important signing for the team," Jackets president and general manager Doug MacLean said. "You don’t like to go into free-agent season when you have a player on your team you really like (unsigned). It’s always better to go with the guy you know, and Davey is a consistent 60-point guy who has a lot of respect in the (locker) room."

I for one am gald we signed this kid (well okay so he is 31) for the next two years...he is vital for success next year...Vital...with a capital V...