Jones professes love for Columbus after signing long-term extension

Seth Jones is a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the next six years and he couldn't be happier about it.

The defender and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen met with the media hours after Jones put pen to paper on a six-year contract extension worth a reported $32.4 million.

"I had no thoughts of signing with another team," Jones, who was set to become a restricted free agent, said. "I wanted to get something done before July 1. We have a good, young core.

"I love Columbus."

Wednesday was a busy day for Kekalainen. He signed Jones and reportedly third overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois, and bought out the final two years of defenseman Fedor Tyutin's contract.

"We were confident the whole time that (Jones' extension) would get done. He wanted to be here," Kekalainen said.