Leclaire to start all-star game? Beech on waivers. Brassard to get called up?

Lots of little nuggets to share Jackets fans.


First off. Breaking news off of TSN.ca that Roberto Luongo is going to skip this year's All Star Game. He was given permission to do so by the Vancouver Canucks. Luongo led all goalies in the West in votes. So one man's loss is another's game as guess who was second in voting? Columbus' own Pascal Leclaire.

So the question remains is does Leclaire get the start by default or does the NHL now just select 3 goaltenders? Regardless of the outcome I think its pretty safe to assume Leclaire will make the game along with Chris Osgood and Evgeni Nabokov.

Next up it was learned that Kris Beech has been put on waivers. The center and former #1 overall draft pick was signed as UFA this summer and has 9 points in 16 games played thus far this year. This has been the trend for Beech, he just can't seem to establish himself on any NHL roster but does just enough to keep some interest in him at the NHL level. It was said that the organization was not impressed with his conditioning level and if you recall, he was basically signed as a depth player to a 2-way contract to fill holes when needed. Personally I'm fine with this move. Beech had a nice run there a few games but didn't do enough to warrant a permanent spot on this team. If he doesn't get claimed he'll end up in Syracuse and can always be recalled at a later date.

So with Beech's demotion does that open a roster spot for another forward? My money is on Derek Brassard getting recalled. We'll have to wait and see.

Puck-rakers has also reported that Marc Methot has been recalled. Obviously after the game in St. Louis this roster needs somes changes. It looks like Methot will be the first of those changes. Looks like Russell or Westcott will see some more time in the pressbox.

-LTL