Hainsey rumor

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun had this to say about Ron Hainsey:

The Blue Jackets have been thrilled with the play of D Ron Hainsey, but GM Scott Howson is going to face a difficult decision at the trade deadline. If he can't get Hainsey, who can become a UFA July 1, signed there's a strong chance he could be dealt. Making $900,000, Hainsey has been one of the club's best blueliners ...

I think Howson is going to have a lot of difficult decisions at the deadline. Ron Hainsey is just one of 7 prominent CBJ players scheduled to be unrestricted at the end of the year with Shelley, Peca, Foote, Fedorov, Chimera and Vyborny being the other 5. I think Fedorov is the only sure bet to be gone by next season (I think he's dealt at the deadline).

As far as Hainsey if the Jackets really want to hang onto to him they'll have the money to do so. Hainsey is playing a key role in the top 4 on this team, he leads the team in scoring for defensemen and is 3rd on the team in average minutes played per game. He's 27 now making 900k now and if he continues this pace will no doubt be looking for a 4 to 5 year deal for a 2+ mil per, maybe more. Is he worth that? Depends on what's out there as an alternative I guess.

I'm on the fence with Hainsey. I like his defensive play this year but I'm still not sold on his offensive ability. He's gets a lot of shots blocked, he doesn't do a great job QBing the PP, reading the play and finding the open man to gain the zone -- instead opting to dump it in on a lot of occasions and trying to retrieve himself which works maybe 25% of the time. He's also not overly physical.

From Hainsey's perspective you'd think he'd want to stay here as his career was stalled in the AHL until the Jackets picked him up off waivers from the Canadiens.....*but* there are only so many times for these players to cash in.

If I'm Howson I'd kick the tires on a new deal and if he doesn't want to sign then maybe you consider trading him...the problem is we can't trade all our potential UFAs at the deadline especially if we are in contention.

One things for sure - there are really going to be some interesting decisions to make come the deadline and the offseason. It will be Howson's real opportunity to put his stamp on this team.

-LTL