Erik Gudbranson

Columbus Blue Jackets, Defensemen
Age: 34y-1m-29d (Jan 07, 1992)
Exp: 13 Years
Country: CA
College: Kingston
Drafted: Round 1 (#3 overall), 2010
Agent(s): Patrick Morris (Newport Sports Management)
2025-26 Cap Hit

$4,000,000

2025-26 Cash

$3,500,000

Career Earnings

$43,975,000

2022-2025 Free Agent (CURRENT)

Erik Gudbranson signed a 4 year, $16,000,000 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, including $16,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,000,000. In 2025-26, Gudbranson will earn a base salary of $3,500,000, while carrying a cap hit of $4,000,000.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $16,000,000
Average Salary:
$4,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2026 / UFA
BUYOUT CONTRACT
Year Age Cap HitAnnual Cap % League Cap Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2022-23 31 $4,000,000 4.85% $5,000,000 $5,000,000
2023-24 32 $4,000,000 4.79% $4,000,000 $9,000,000
2024-25 33 $4,000,000 4.55% $3,500,000 $12,500,000
2025-26 34 $4,000,000 4.19% $3,500,000 $16,000,000
2026-27 35
UFA
Year Age Base Salary Cap Hit Cap % League
2022-23 31 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 4.85%
2023-24 32 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 4.79%
2024-25 33 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 4.55%
2025-26 34 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 4.19%
2026-27 35
UFA
Year Age Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2022-23 31 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $5,000,000 $4,000,000
2023-24 32 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $9,000,000 - $4,500,000 $3,666,667
2024-25 33 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 $12,500,000 - $4,166,667 $3,500,000
2025-26 34 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 $16,000,000 - $4,000,000 $3,500,000
Contract Notes
  • 10-team no trade list
Source: NHL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2021-2021 Free Agent

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,950,000
Average Salary:
$1,950,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2022 / UFA
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2018-2020 Extension

Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $12,000,000
Average Salary:
$4,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2021 / UFA
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2017-2017 Extension

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,500,000
Average Salary:
$3,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2016-2016

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,500,000
Average Salary:
$3,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2017 / RFA
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2014-2015

Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $5,000,000
Average Salary:
$2,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2016 / RFA
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2011-2013

Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $9,600,000
Average Salary:
$3,200,000
Signing Bonus:
$270,000
Free Agent:
2014 / RFA
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Seasons

13 Years

Career Earnings thru 2025

$45,925,000

Earnings w/ Different Teams

8 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2011 20
Active
$900,000
$900,000
2012 21
Active
$900,000
$1,800,000
2013 22
Active
$900,000
$2,700,000
2014 23
Active
$2,250,000
$4,950,000
2015 24
Active
$2,750,000
$7,700,000
2016 25
Injured
$3,500,000
$11,200,000
2017 26
Injured
$3,500,000
$14,700,000
2018 27
Retained
Active
$2,998,399
$826,601
$17,698,399
$18,525,000
2019 28
Retained
Injured
$556,462
$3,943,538
$19,081,462
$23,025,000
2020 29
Active
Retained
$672,412
$2,327,588
$23,697,412
$26,025,000
2021 30
Active
Active
$1,950,000
$1,950,000
$27,975,000
$29,925,000
2022 31
Active
$5,000,000
$34,925,000
2023 32
Active
$4,000,000
$38,925,000
2024 33
Active
$3,500,000
$42,425,000
2025 34
Active
$3,500,000
$45,925,000
Total      
$45,925,000
$45,925,000
Total
$45,925,000

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
5 $7,430,000 $270,000 - $7,700,000
3 $9,923,399 $75,000 - $9,998,399
2 $1,383,063 - - $1,383,063
1 $3,943,538 - - $3,943,538
1 $672,412 - - $672,412
1 $2,327,588 - - $2,327,588
1 $3,900,000 - - $3,900,000
4 $16,000,000 - - $16,000,000
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2011
20
$810,000
$90,000
$900,000
$900,000
2012
21
$810,000
$90,000
$900,000
$1,800,000
2013
22
$810,000
$90,000
$900,000
$2,700,000
2014
23
$2,250,000
$2,250,000
$4,950,000
2015
24
$2,750,000
$2,750,000
$7,700,000
2016
25
$3,500,000
$3,500,000
$11,200,000
2017
26
$3,500,000
$3,500,000
$14,700,000
2018
27
$2,923,399
$826,601
$75,000
$2,998,399
$826,601
$17,698,399
$18,525,000
2019
28
$556,462
$3,943,538
$556,462
$3,943,538
$19,081,462
$23,025,000
2020
29
$672,412
$2,327,588
$672,412
$2,327,588
$23,697,412
$26,025,000
2021
30
$1,950,000
$1,950,000
$1,950,000
$1,950,000
$27,975,000
$29,925,000
2022
31
$5,000,000
$5,000,000
$34,925,000
2023
32
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
$38,925,000
2024
33
$3,500,000
$3,500,000
$42,425,000
2025
34
$3,500,000
$3,500,000
$45,925,000
Total
$45,580,000
$345,000
$45,925,000
$45,925,000
Total
$45,580,000
$345,000
$45,925,000

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
5 $7,430,000 $270,000 - $7,700,000
3 $9,923,399 $75,000 - $9,998,399
2 $1,383,063 - - $1,383,063
1 $3,943,538 - - $3,943,538
1 $672,412 - - $672,412
1 $2,327,588 - - $2,327,588
1 $3,900,000 - - $3,900,000
4 $16,000,000 - - $16,000,000

Injuries

Year Dates Games Missed Reason
2025-26 CBJ Nov 06, 2025 - Jan 15, 2026 0 Hip
2024-25 CBJ Oct 16, 2024 - Mar 24, 2025 0 Upper Body
2019-20 ANA Feb 09, 2020 - TBD 0 Upper Body
2017-18 VAN Jan 21, 2018 - TBD 1 Back
2017-18 VAN Nov 30, 2017 - Dec 17, 2017 0 Upper Body
2016-17 VAN Dec 13, 2016 - TBD 0 Wrist
  • Dec 11, 2023 Suspended 1 game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Florida (FLA), forfeiting $28,333 of 2023-24 salary with Columbus (CBJ)
  • Jul 13, 2022 Signed a 4 year $16 million contract with Columbus (CBJ)
  • Sep 11, 2021 Signed a 1 year $1.95 million contract with Calgary (CGY)
  • Apr 12, 2021 Traded to Nashville (NSH) from Ottawa (OTT) for Brandon Fortunato and 2023 7th round pick
  • Oct 08, 2020 Traded to Ottawa (OTT) from Anaheim (ANA) for 2021 5th round pick
  • Oct 25, 2019 Traded to Anaheim (ANA) from Pittsburgh (PIT) for Andreas Martinsen and 2021 7th round pick
  • Feb 25, 2019 Traded to Pittsburgh (PIT) from Vancouver (VAN) for Tanner Pearson
  • Feb 20, 2018 Signed a 3 year $12 million contract extension with Vancouver (VAN)
  • Oct 20, 2017 Suspended 1 game for boarding Frank Vatrano (BOS), forfeiting $18,817 in 2017-18 salary with Vancouver (VAN)
  • Jun 15, 2017 Signed a 1 year $3.5 million contract extension with Vancouver (VAN)
  • May 26, 2016 Traded to Vancouver (VAN) from Florida (FLA) with 2016 5th round pick for Jared McCann, 2016 2nd round pick and 2016 4th round pick
  • May 10, 2016 Signed a 1 year $3.5 million contract with Florida (FLA)
  • Jul 10, 2014 Signed a 2 year $5 million contract with Florida (FLA)
  • Jul 16, 2011 Signed a 3 year $9.6 million contract with Florida (FLA)
  • Jun 25, 2010 Drafted by Florida (FLA): Round 1 (#3 overall)

Suspensions

Date Reason Games Suspended Fine Amount
Dec 11, 2023 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Florida (FLA) 1 $20,833
Oct 20, 2017 Boarding Frank Vatrano (BOS) 1 $18,817
Suspensions: 2 $39,650
Year Team GP G MIN A PTS +/- SOG S% PPG PPA SHG SHA Blk Hit PIM
2025 CBJ 18 1 330 2 0 5 14 .071 0 0 0 0 26 22 8
2024 CBJ 16 0 284 4 0 1 12 0 0 0 0 19 26 6
2023 CBJ 78 6 1,533 20 26 -14 91 .066 0 0 0 1 170 81 74
2022 CBJ 70 1 1,490 12 13 -24 102 .010 0 0 0 0 137 119 57
2021 CGY 78 6 1,414 11 17 15 129 .047 0 0 0 0 92 145 68
2020 NAS 45 1 805 3 4 -12 58 .017 0 0 0 0 64 111 59
2019 ANA 51 4 987 5 9 0 78 .051 0 0 0 1 58 89 95
2018 PIT 76 2 1,385 8 10 -20 94 .021 0 0 0 1 84 184 87
2017 VAN 52 2 957 3 5 -7 53 .038 0 0 0 0 81 126 35
2016 VAN 30 1 610 5 6 -14 40 .025 0 0 0 0 44 66 18
2015 FLA 64 2 1,287 7 9 3 73 .027 0 0 0 0 73 150 49
2014 FLA 75 4 1,400 9 13 -3 110 .036 0 4 0 0 74 211 58
2013 FLA 62 3 1,125 6 9 -9 86 .035 0 1 0 0 89 153 99
2012 FLA 32 0 599 4 4 -22 49 0 0 0 0 32 80 47
2011 FLA 67 1 0 6 7 -20 72 .014 0 0 0 0 71 145 76
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