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2009 Free Agency: Blue Jackets Round-up

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Here at The Cannon we’ve already done a Free Agency Preview, we’ve looked at the Blue Jackets unrestricted free agents and restricted free agents, and earlier today we looked at some names the Blue Jackets could target at the beginning of free agency.

This post will serve as a quick round-up or cheat sheet for all the information. A guide to quickly reference for all your Blue Jackets free agency needs starting this Wednesday, July 1st.

Pending Unrestricted Free Agents: Manny Malhotra, Jason Williams, Michael Peca, Chris Gratton, Craig MacDonald, Mike York, Christian Backman, Aaron Rome, Wade Dubielewicz.

Pending Restricted Free Agents: Alexandre Picard, Jiri Novotny, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Marc Methot, Dan LaCosta.

Salary cap space: $17 million (Salary cap: $56.8 million)

Projected budget: $50 million (Current salary spent: $40 million)

Key Needs: The Blue Jackets desperately need more skill on the blueline to help the power play. They’ll be looking for an offensive defenseman, a back-up goaltender to play behind Steve Mason, and a checking-line center or two. With an overabundance of wingers, if they make a trade involving a 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 swap of forwards for a defenseman, the Blue Jackets may also be in the market for a bottom six winger.

Potential Targets: Johnny Oduya, Dennis Seidenberg, Francois Beauchemin, Ty Conklin, Scott Clemmensen, Craig Anderson, Antero Niittymaki, Samuel Pahlsson, Manny Malhotra, Vernon Fiddler, Jiri Hudler, Chad LaRose.

What our Central Division rivals are thinking: Detroit Red Wings at Winging It In Motown, Chicago Blackhawks at Second City Hockey, Nashville Predators at On The Forecheck, and St. Louis Blues at St. Louis Game Time.