“We’re getting really close,” Waddell told The Athletic on Monday. “We’re hoping to get it wrapped up in the 24 hours or so.”
A team source said it will be a multi-year contract, likely four years or more. The Blue Jackets wanted to get Olivier signed by the NHL’s trade deadline on Friday, and they certainly didn’t want him to hit free agency in July.
“He’s an unrestricted free agent who would be welcomed by 31 other teams,” Waddell said, “and I have to take all of that into account in trying to sign him. So it’s been time-consuming, but in a positive way.”
Waddell and Lecavalier made significant progress in negotiations last week, Waddell said. But by Thursday, he put talks on hold to focus on the Blue Jackets’ home-and-home with the Detroit Red Wings, including Saturday’s Stadium Series game in Ohio Stadium.
After the Blue Jackets practiced on Monday, Olivier made clear his desire to stay put in Columbus.
“I’ve said this multiple times: I love Columbus. My family loves Columbus. Everything about it works well with our family and our values,” Olivier said. “The direction the organization is going is great. The guys we have in this room, what we’re building… I take a lot of pride in that , and I want to see it through with these guys in here. There’s nothing I’d like more.”