COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Blue Jackets made a move on the first day of NHL free agency.

The Jackets signed center Sean Monahan to a five-year, $27.5 million contract on Monday. Monahan played last season for Montreal and Winnipeg, with 59 points in 83 games. He’s had 244 career goals.

“Sean Monahan is a very talented player, and his addition strengthens our team down the middle and injects valuable experience, leadership and versatility to our lineup,” team president Don Waddell said. “He can score and create goals, is very good in the faceoff circle and can play on the power play and kill penalties.”

Monahan spent nine seasons with Calgary, where he had a productive relationship with current Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a season where they finished last in the Metro Division, fired coach Pascal Vincent and general manger Jarmo Kekalainen and reassigned former team president John Davidson. Adding Monahan represents Waddell’s first free-agent signing.

Last week at the NHL draft, the Blue Jackets chose center Cayden Lindstrom from Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League with fourth overall pick.

Also on Monday, the NHL announced the Blue Jackets home opener will take place Oct. 15 against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The Jackets’ first exhibition will take place Sept. 23.