The opening of free agent season saw the Columbus Blue Jackets make four signings.

The Blue Jackets signed defenceman Anders Eriksson to a one year deal worth $600,000. Eriksson played last season for Sprinfield in the American Hockey League and then Magnitigorsk of the Russian League. Eriksson had nine points in 12 games with Sprinfield and 10 points in 17 games in Russia. He has 130 points in 412 career NHL games with Detroit, Chicago, Florida, Toronto and Columbus. When he last played for the Blue Jackets, in 2003-2004, Eriksson recorded 27 points and a minus-6 rating.

Columbus also signed forward Alexander Svitov to a one-year deal worth $450,000. Svitov played last season for Omsk in Russia, where he put up 10 points and 133 penalty minutes in 42 games. He was initially acquired by the Blue Jackets in a trade with Tampa Bay for Darryl Sydor.

The Blue Jackets then signed right winger Jaroslav Balastik to a one year deal worth $525,000. Balastik scored 12 goals with the Blue Jackets last season.

Columbus also inked Kris Russell from the Medicine Hat Tigers. Russell, a third-round pick in 2005, was WHL defenceman of the year and a member of Canada's national junior team in 2006.