Well, that just happened.
With the Philadelphia Flyers making the decision to blow up a major portion of their roster, both to sign Ilya Bryzgalov and (it is rumored) to make a run at Brad Richards in Free Agency, Scott Howson didn’t hesitate, and the closer (in the words of DBJ), struck.
The move has set off reaction in the Jackets’ fanbase like a boulder being catapulted into a lake, and while many are sad to see Jakub Voracek go, the general mood is one of anticipation and excitement.
Take a look at the reactions from Heart Of A Jacket, LTL, and Ten Minute Misconduct.
There’s also commentary over at the Dispatch from Rob Oller, Portzline, a touching interview with Jake by Tom Reed, and Rick Nash‘s reaction to getting a player of Carter’s caliber to play beside him.
As excited as we are, I feel for Jeff Carter. You sign a deal that you think will make you (essentially) a fixture of a team for your entire career, agree to the deal, make it within one game of a Stanley Cup (and into the second round of the playoffs this past season), and within the space of an hour, you’re gone? And so is your captain and one of your best friends?
I don’t blame him a bit for asking for some time to digest all of this before talking to the media. It’s rather beyond a rude awakening.
There’s also a reaction from the Philly side at BSH to the Carter trade and the entire day of deals, Pro Hockey Talk, and Puck Daddy.
Almost lost in the news -congratulations to former CBJ interim head coach Claude Noel, the new head coach in Winnipeg. Columbus will be hosting the _________ in the regular season in November – I’d love to see a big turnout to welcome him back.
There may be a leak of the new Nashville Predators jersey. On The Forecheck has reactions there. It’s not bad! I like the “guitar strings” on the numbers, and the yellow jersey looks a lot better than their old thirds.
The NHL schedule is out! The Dispatch has reaction to the Jackets’ busy December and March, PHT has some key dates for the NHL as a whole, and Dirk has his Super Schedule up at OTF, breaking down team travel.
Finally, the Sharks have signed Devin Setoguchi to a new deal. IF Scott Howson makes another move, I wouldn’t have minded seeing a deal to try to bring him into Columbus, but perhaps it’s just as well.
Now go get us some help at D over the next two weeks, and let’s get this party started.