from Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch,

The Blue Jackets learned early this afternoon that prospect defenseman Mike Reilly -- a member of the organization since he was drafted in 2011 -- has ruled out singing with Columbus and will sign elsewhere as a free agent on or after July 1.

Reilly's agent, Pat Brisson, informed the Blue Jackets of the decision shortly after noon today.

"We did everything we could possible do," Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen told The Dispatch today. "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."

Sources told The Dispatch that Reilly has narrowed his list of possible destinations to two or three NHL clubs. Chicago, Minnesota, Los Angeles and the New York Rangers are among the clubs that have made a push to sign Reilly.

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