Charlie Coyle knew Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell could have traded him near the March deadline after the center did not fully commit to re-signing with the club. Waddell’s decision to stand pat and the team’s second-half improvement under coach Rick Bowness are two factors why Coyle is remaining in Columbus after signing a six-year extension worth $36 million. The 34-year Coyle was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last June. He was fourth on the team in goals (20) and points (58) and played all 82 games in his first season with the Blue Jackets. Coyle would have been one of the top centers on the market if he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, which also made getting a deal finalized at the top of Waddell’s offseason priority list.