Mike Reilly informs Blue Jackets he will not sign, narrows field of suitors

Mike Reilly is officially hitting the open market.

The young defenseman informed the Columbus Blue Jackets - the team that drafted him back in 2011 - that he will not be signing an entry-level deal with the club, electing instead to become an unrestricted free agent.

"We did everything we could possible do," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Wednesday. "From player development since we drafted him, to recruiting him - or whatever you would call it - over the last few months ... it wasn't enough.

"We have to respect it. It's part of the (collective bargaining agreement). He has this right."

Columbus made multiple attempts to sign the high-rated prospect, but obviously to no avail.

Reilly's decision angered at least one fan with Wikipedia editing powers.

Reilly is believed to have narrowed the field of suitors to two or three, with the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers among the teams reported to be pushing hardest.