Keep your eyes peeled for Restricted Free Agents

by Andy Newman on Jun 30, 2009 10:45 AM EDT Comment 4 comments

If things weren't interesting enough already, a list of restricted free agents that have not been tendered qualifying offers will now become unrestricted free agents tomorrow. For the Blue Jackets, there will likely be more than a few players they're keeping an eye on.

Dan Fritsche, Center/Wing

I think the only reason Fritsche was included in the deal that sent Zherdev to the New York Rangers for Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman was because he expected too much from Columbus. He wanted a bigger paycheck and a bigger role. He's a solid 3rd/4th liner, but he expected top 6 minutes. After being scratched in much of his time with the Rangers and then being traded to the Minnesota Wild, I think his expectations might be back in check. He's an Ohio boy and a fierce competitor. We've all missed Danny to some extent since he left. I could really see some interest here.

Assets	Displays plenty of two-way potential. Owns grit and determination, excellent skating ability and a wealth of versatility.
Flaws	Shoulder problems have dogged him. As an Ohio native, expectations were unrealistic with his first NHL organization, the Blue Jackets--another factor that may have hampered his long-term development.
Career Potential	Two-way forward.

Marcel Goc, Center

Not a big scorer, his point totals have pretty much decreased each year, but I've always seen Goc as an effective player. He certainly still has a lot of upside.

Assets	Has outstanding speed and creative instincts in the offensive zone. Is a capable player in all game situations.
Flaws	Must gain more strength in order to withstand the pounding of an 82-game schedule. Needs more time to fully develop his all-around game.
Career Potential	Second line center.

Erik Christensen, Center

It seems we've had some interest in Christensen since his days in Pittsburgh. He would be a solid option for the 4th line.

Assets	Owns a big shot and excellent offensive instincts. Knows where to go in order to find the back of the net, and is an emerging player without the puck.
Flaws	Still needs to get stronger to be able to win more battles in the corners. Must improve in doing the little things that help win hockey games.
Career Potential	Inconsistent forward with great hands.

Fredrik Sjostrom, Wing

Another name to throw in the hat of "if we trade some forwards." He wouldn't see much ice time above the 4th line, but his NHL experience could make him more valuable in the line-up over an Alex Picard or Mike Blunden.

Assets	Has a terrific combination of speed, skill and defensive instincts. Is willing to take a hit in order to make a play.
Flaws	Doesn't use his 6-1, 217-pound frame to his advantage nearly enough. Misses a ton of scoring chances due to questionable hands.
Career Potential	Third line winger.

And as mentioned earlier, Jiri Hudler is another RFA turning to free agency that could be an option, although he would be a bit more expensive and command a bigger role.

Also, The Dispatch reports on our own restricted free agents:

The following players were extended qualifying offers: LW Alexandre Picard, C Michael Blunden, D Marc Methot, D Jonathan Sigalet and G Dan LaCosta.

The following players were not: D Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, C Jiri Novotny, D Kyle Wharton, D Trevor Hendrikx, F Petr Pohl, F John Vigilante and D Jon Landry.

0 recs | Comment 4 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

just noticed

yahoo posted an article recently with details of the top 10 free agent goalies. i narrowed that down to 4 that could be good back-ups for us this year.

the dollar amounts are what they made last year
Craig Anderson – 550K
Brent Johnson – 812K
Antero Niittymaki – 1,225,000
Scott Clemmensen – 331K

Anderson wants the chance to be a starter, but hasn’t started a lot over the last 2 years. still young (27) and is cheap. definitely can spell Mase if he needs a night off.

Johnson is possibly in talks with Washington about returning there. has had hip soreness and injury in the past but can be a solid back-up.

Niittymaki has the biggest price tag but is probably the best guy to play for a starting spot, even though he’d only ever be a #2. Plus, he could enter the team’s “Most difficult name spelling” contest. see ~~Dooblewitz~~…~~Dublewicz~~…Dubielewicz..hm, so thats how its spelled…

and we all know about Clemmensen and the success he had in NJ when Brodeur went down.

i think all four of these goalie could be targeted. your thoughts?

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jun 30, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d throw Conklin in there but otherwise I’d agree those are names that would seem to fit here. Niittymaki had past time under Hitch in Philly, so that could be a positive, but he also may be the most expensive of the group unless he’ll take a pay cut.

My top two are probably Anderson and Conklin.

The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter

by Andy Newman on Jun 30, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I considered Conklin for a minute..

…here’s my thought, and tell me if this is unethical – use him to get to the Cup finals (the good part of the curse), then before game 1, cut him and have LaCosta be our back-up.

i think Niittymaki would take a cut because he’s getting old and his playing time recently hasn’t been truly significant. do we have a ballpark number of what we’re willing to spend on a goalie?

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jun 30, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea. Probably whatever it takes to land who they want, but at the same time, it doesn’t make much sense to pay a backup more than the starting goalie just to sit on the bench. Mason’s cap hit is $950K, so that’s just something to keep in mind.

The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter

by Andy Newman on Jun 30, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Central Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Chicago Second City Hockey	58	38	15	5	81
Nashville On the Forecheck	57	31	22	4	66
Detroit Winging It In Motown	58	27	21	10	64
St. Louis St. Louis Game Time	59	25	25	9	59
Columbus The Cannon	60	24	27	9	57

(updated 2.9.2010 at 12:41 AM EST)

24 - 27 - 9

Streak: Won 2

Blue Jackets Schedule

Next 5 Games

San Jose Fear The Fin	Wed 02/10	7:00 PM EST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Fri 02/12	7:00 PM EST
Chicago Second City Hockey	Sun 02/14	5:00 PM EST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Tue 03/02	7:00 PM EST
@ San Jose Fear The Fin	Sat 03/06	10:30 PM EST

Last 5 Games

Buffalo Die By The Blade	Sat 02/06	W 4 - 0
Dallas Defending Big D	Thu 02/04	W 2 - 1
@ Colorado Mile High Hockey	Tue 02/02	L 1 - 5
@ St. Louis St. Louis Game Time	Sat 01/30	OT - W 3 - 2
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Thu 01/28	L 1 - 4

The Cannon: An SB Nation Community

Network Bar

The Cannon -

A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog