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Around SBN: The Animated GIFs Of January

Blue Jackets Free Agency Open Thread

It's finally upon us - Canada Day, July 1st, better known around the NHL as the start of free agency.

Use this post as an open forum for discussion. Feel free to link to and discuss rumors as well as official news for the Blue Jackets and around the NHL.

It remains to be seen if the Blue Jackets will have any significant impact in free agency, or perhaps making moves through trades due to free agent signings, but the Jackets have some holes to fill, and Scott Howson has proven to be smart and quietly aggressive when he needs to be.

I want to hear your thoughts and opinions of what you think will go down around the NHL now that free agency is here.

Poll
Will the Blue Jackets fulfill their needs through free agency?
Yes
40 votes
No
37 votes

77 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 54 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Need a D-man

Zuvov would be a good fit for Columbus. a good Puck moving d man that would greatly improve the Powerplay. and Schneider would also be a very good plan B. jackets don’t really need a number 1 center any more with Brassard and Vermette. they need a number 1 D man that can QB the power play.

by FFMorgan on Jul 1, 2009 3:03 AM EDT reply actions  

my concern

zubov had 2 hip surgeries last season. so health is a big issue. if he stays off IR, he will be an asset. a 38 year old Dman with a bad hip doesn’t sound very stable. however, if they want to take the risk, they could probably get him cheap.

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

looks like

the blackhawks want to move G Huet…any interest??

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions  

Maybe if his price tag wasn’t so high. Unfortunately Chicago screwed Huet and themselves by signing him to that contract.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

I personally don’t have any interest in Huet, I can see him maybe going to Colorado if they don’t sign Biron. Maybe even Edmonton with Roloson choosing to test the market.

Sedins re-sign with Vancouver, I’m glad they didn’t sign with the Leafs!

by Mike MacLean on Jul 1, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions  

Ohlund to Tampa, Dreger saying that Hossa is close to signing with the Hawks, I want him out of the damned division!

by Mike MacLean on Jul 1, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Yeah, why is it that only teams in the West seem to get better during free agency and trade deadlines?

That said, I’d at least be able to be a fan of Hossa again if he goes to Chicago.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

he should go back to the east and never come back

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

The West signs the best players, and the East drafts the best players. The Pens winning the cup is the start of the shift in the balance of power in the NHL.

by Mike MacLean on Jul 1, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions  

That’s a good point. I remember reading about all the 1st overall picks. How many of them have gone to the West recently? Just Kane and Nash. And we’re both still “eastern” cities. Kinda funny how that works out.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

No interest in Huet at all. I hope Chicago is stuck with him and his contract. Better yet I hope he has to start for them.

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by Clint Clark on Jul 1, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions  

Haha Clint I’m with you- that’s whatchaget Chicago

by Mike MacLean on Jul 1, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions  

Hey now!

I’m probably moving to Chicago. If I’m going to have to watch Blackhawks games, I don’t want to have to watch Huet! I’m not thinking about the Blackhawks here, I’m thinking about myself!

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions  

Eklund...

Eklund has the Blue Jackets interested in Havlat. If Hossa to Chicago happens, I could see us having interest. It would make trading some forwards for a defenseman easier. I have a feeling Howson has a specific target or two through trade to fill the defensive holes.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions  

Haha Andy, that would suck if you had to put up with Huet. Unless one of our current wingers is being offered in a trade, Havlat doesn’t make much sense.

by Mike MacLean on Jul 1, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions  

No I can’t see Havlat being in the mix for us at all. He won’t be worth the dollars or term.

The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

by Clint Clark on Jul 1, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions  

1 o'clock update

anyone know who we’re talking to, if anyone right now?

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions  

Nothing yet.

Pretty quiet around the NHL as a whole. Aside from the few deals, not even a lot of noise about Heatley or anyone but Hossa.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

TSN lists the top “bad” contracts from last year and guess who’s NOT on the list: Commodore, Huselius, or Umberger. Seems like so many analysts thought the Blue Jackets were being stupid last summer. I guess not.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions  

Rumor of Kubina to Atlanta. I’d still like to have him here.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions  

2 deals

Panthers sign Radek Dvorak to 2 year deal and Leafs sign Colton Orr to 4 year, $4 mil contract

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions  

its official

hossa to hawks with a 12 year deal

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions  

panthers on a roll

re-signed david booth. 6 years, $25.5 million

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions  

Good to see the Panthers locking up some of their young guys.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Kopecky to Chicago, 2 years, 2.4 million. I would have liked him for that money.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions  

me too

would’ve been a great deal for us. looks like havlat will be moving on from chicago? not saying i want him, but hossa is a huge upgrade

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

G craig anderson

now off the free agent list after signing 2 year deal with colorado

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions  

Gaborik on the market

he’s been injured a bit recently, but is his asking price going to be high? pretty consistent scoring threat, and a great skater…is he at least worth talking to?

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions  

I doubt it. If we were going after a winger, it’d be more low key like LaRose, I would think. But who knows.

I’m about to head out… I hope I don’t miss anything.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

latest deals

Roloson to NYI – 2 year $5 million
Brashear to NYR – terms not yet known

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Blue Jackets offer...

CBJ have offered goalie Mathieu Garon a contract.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions  

No details yet.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Chicago

Chicago has not handled their cap well. If they cannot deal Huet they are screwed. I would have looked at getting Kane and Toews extensions before signing Hossa for infinity. If they simply stayed the course they would have been in great shape but they have been terrible with UFAs the last two years with Campbell, Huet, and now Hossa.

These 12 year contracts are great in the short-term, it is amazing how stupid these are for the long term.The Jackets will have a terrible time competing for the Cup for the next 6 years based on the current spending, but we will be in great shape thereafter.

The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

by Clint Clark on Jul 1, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions  

what impact would this have on a long term deal for Nash?

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

The thing is… his cap hit being $5.2 million isn’t bad. And in the last 4 years of his contract, he’ll make $3.5.

I would take Hossa at $5 million over Havlat, and it seems like that’s what it came down to for them. If Hossa retires when he’s 37 or 38, big deal, he’s made his money.

With Khabibulin to Edmonton, they have to keep Huet now. They may have to let some secondary players go (please Cam Barker to Columbus!), but I think it’s manageable.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

To clarify, he’ll make $3.5 OVER the last 4 years, not per year.

It will be interesting to see how they managed to work that out, but that’s the numbers being reported by Dreger so far.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

its official

Niedermeyer re-signs with Anaheim for a year worth $6 mil plus bonuses. Also, Knuble signs with Washington for 2 years and about $6 mil

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions  

The difference

is Chicago is a cap team. The cap number being high will hurt them in the long run. They will be able to fit less in. They might have a 45 millino dollar payroll and a 55 million dollar cap number when all is said and done (12 years from now).

I agree I would definitely give this deal to Hossa over Havlat.

In my opinion any year after the age of 35 takes away from a long term deal. I arbitrarily choose that number.

This type of contract would be ideal for Nash because we frontload the dollars (when our other players are cheap). The cap number doesn’t matter to us.

12, 10, 8, 8, 8, 6.5, 6.5, 6, 4, 2 10 years 70 million. That would be amazing for us.

The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

by Clint Clark on Jul 1, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions  

10 years

is about the term i would give him if i were Howson. aside from a nice, even number, keeping Nash for another DECADE would only help bring other big names to the franchise in the future…

PS this just in…Conklin signs 2 year deal with St. Louis…way to stay in the division Ty…

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Andy

ESPN just reported that your boy, Spacek signed with Montreal for 3 years/$11.5 mil. sorry to break your heart

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions  

The Bulin wall

is built in Edmonton. 4 years, $15 million

i feel like an addict, and free agency is my crack….i gotta have my fix like every 5 minutes

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Malhotra, Williams

are we even going to offer anything to these guys or just say “thanks but no thanks”?

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions  

Malhotra, Williams

I’m sure we’ve given Manny an offer. I’m sure it is still on the table until we get another center. I’m under the impression that Williams is cut loose. He isn’t a bottom 6 center.. we have enough wings.

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by Clint Clark on Jul 1, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions  

Since when does Montreal dramatically have to overpay for players?

Why can’t they seem to get good Canadian talent?

The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

by Clint Clark on Jul 1, 2009 5:45 PM EDT reply actions  

$%^&

i never realized hal gill was so big…!@!#

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

Center signed!

jackets agree to 3 year deal with Sami Pahlsson!

Howson has stated that Malhotra and Peca are not in the team’s future plans :( Malhotra will be missed!

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 1, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions  

Jackets sign Garon

Mathieu Garon is the Jackets new back-up goalie. I’m going to try to have a post up in a minute.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions  

I’m wondering who continued to vote “No” on this poll after 8 pm tonight…

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by Andy Newman on Jul 2, 2009 12:13 AM EDT reply actions  

exactly

2 offers, 2 contracts signed, 2 needs addressed…so far so good

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 2, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

more free agents still available...your thoughts...

two words:

Mathieu
Schneider

getting up there in age, but who cares…his offensive production speaks for itself. i think he’s the last piece to our free agent puzzle…Howson, ready…set…GO

"be where you are when you're there"

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 2, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions  

I think he turned down coming to Columbus once before.

He’s still an effective player, but all things considered (price, age, etc), I’d rather go with someone a bit younger… Beauchemin, Seidenberg, etc.

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by Andy Newman on Jul 2, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

Mathieu Schneider

Not only did he turn down coming to columbus, we wasted our first expansion draft pick on him. Part of that is certainly maclean’s fault, but if he was too good for us then, we’re too good for him now…

…and he’s way too old.

by GatorOH on Jul 2, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions  

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