Round up

I'll use this post to update throughout this day with this and that.

First up NHL.com has a good write up on the Jackets. I like this quote from Nasher:

“This is the first summer since I’ve been around that we’ve some room to make some moves,” the 24-year-old Nash told The Columbus Dispatch. “It’s not up to me to decide who we pick up, but it’s no secret we’re all pretty excited to see who we get.”

No doubt Howson needs to get this dude a supporting cast. Check it out the rest of the article here.

Also according to Bob MacKenzie Dan Boyle is indeed being shopped. I took this quote from KuklasKorner.com:

Bob mentioned even though the Tampa management team has dismissed the Dan Boyle trade rumors, he is being shopped and remember, Boyle has a NTC. Bob then wondered what will Tampa do on the defensive end.

I have to agree with Bob here. Tampa may be able to score 5 goals a game but how do they intend on keeping them out of their own net?

Regardless if Boyle is being shopped he's another guy I'd hope is on Howson's radar. Boyle is 31 and signed for 5 more years at 6.67 mil cap hit. Boyle had a fluke injury last season when a skate slit his wrist in the locker room. He still managed 21 points in 37 games and had 63 and 53 the previous two seasons. He does have a NTC.

A friend of mine made a good point -- Boyle is from Ottawa and Ottawa is in the market for a puck moving d-men. If Boyle was going to wavie his NTC keep your eye on them.

Howson brings me Pitkanen and I'm a happy camper today!

Puck-rakers just listed some of the targets the Jackets are going after:

I've been told that the Blue Jackets will be in hot pursuit of "four or five" players as of 12:00:01 Tuesday. First is the phone calls, then out go the faxes with offers. My guess -- Redden, Morrison, Brooks Orpik, Kristian Huselius, Radim Vrbata. Maybe Niklas Hagman. Maybe Mike Commodore. Wait, that's seven.

Now there is the juice alot of us have been looking for. If I had to rank them this would be my guess in terms of the Jackets priority:

1. Redden
2. Morrison
3. Commodore then Orpik
4. Huselius then Vrbata then Hagman

Redden is the obvious one of the bunch but if the Jackets really want him they are going to have to overpay BIG time. I'm talking 5 years minimum 30 mil to even get in the ballpark.

Morrison has been speculated to the Jackets just about everywhere. They may have to overpay but Morrison is the best that's out there in terms of center and I think they have a good sell in terms of where he'll fit in the lineup and who his linemates will be -- two words: Rick Nash. Can't loose out on this guy.

I'm not big on getting another shutdown d-men unless there are plans to ship out a couple of our existing guys. That said if the Jackets are intent on bringing one of these guys in I give Commodore the edge because he brings a little more offense, a little more size and he'll fight much more often than Orpik.

Then the lower priority will be addressing the top 6 wing. I think the Jackets like Huselius skill with the puck but to me he's soft and streaky. I've been hearing his name more and more as a target for the Jacketa so I think he's first on their list -- he certainly doesn't strike me as a Hitch-type player but no denying he's got skill. He scored 66, 77 and 47 points the past 3 years. He is a legit top 6 guy who is just 29. He should be able to help.

Vrbata and Hagman are good targets as well. Less skill than a Huselius but more of a complete game. Vrbata is also a legit top 6 guy who is just 27 and coming off a 56 point season with Phoenix. He scored 41 and 39 the two years prior. Hagman is a 28 year old winger but has really had just one good year last season when he notched 27 goals. His motor never stops however.

All in all though its hard to argue with anyone on that list although, as mentioned, I'd personally like to see more puck moving skill brought in on the blueline.

Wild guess:

Redden - 5 years 32.5 mil (6.5 avg)
Morrison - 3 years 9 mil (3 avg)
Commodore - 4 years 14 mil (3.5 avg)
Huselius - 4 years 12 mil (3 avg)

Total: 16 mil

Nash Morrison Modin
Zherdev Umberger Huselius
Chimera Brassard Voracek
Boll Malhotra Murray
Novotny

Redden Klesla
Hejda Commodore
Rome/Methot/Russell/Tollefsen/Sigalet

Leclaire
Norrena

That lineup is certainly an overall upgrade in just about every way possible. Now of course Howson has to land some of these guys come noon tomorrow.

I hadn't visited this site in a long while but if your wanting to kill some time check out this site about NHL logos. There are a lots and lots of Blue Jackets posts about their logos, unis and history. Once again it reminds me of how sweet our new jerseys and logos are -- if Howson can match the upgrade on our jerseys from last year in terms of players this year then we are in for a great season. Check it out here.

New Cannon Fodder up on Dispatch.com. Its a good listen - check it out here.

A poster over on HF actually saw Hitch board a plane today. Could he perhaps be traveling to talk with a potential UFA target at noon sharp tommorrow? Stay tuned!

Some great news for a former Jacket. Jody Shelley has re-signed with the San Jose Sharks to a two-year contract. A sincere congrats to one of the good "tough" guys in the NHL.

More to come.

-LTL