tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post1454690341373468439..comments2023-10-25T05:51:28.164-04:00Comments on Light the Lamp - a Columbus Blue Jackets blog: Malone chatter continuesLTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15817321633985765198noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-28299339126170378582008-06-15T21:12:00.000-04:002008-06-15T21:12:00.000-04:002 brief thoughts:1) I have Malone sticker-shock un...2 brief thoughts:<BR/>1) I have Malone sticker-shock until I consider that CBJ will have to overpay until they develop a rep as a winning-team.<BR/>2) Howson isn't losing sight of the prize (center/d-man), he is just making a solid move. A move which could make Z even more trade-able for "the prize." (As much as I'd hate to see Z go, with Brassard and Voracek possibly coming up...)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13587582556018606895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-29766547861738825082008-06-15T01:23:00.000-04:002008-06-15T01:23:00.000-04:00sean: He goes to those difficult areas and pushes...sean: He goes to those difficult areas and pushes--hard. He was right in the thick of it all in the playoffs. <BR/><BR/>No, he isn't the dreamboat center that we are looking for but he may not be the only guy we get either. Would Richards have fit that role? Sure, but that ship has sailed. <BR/><BR/>It is not like we have an abundance of top 6 forwards. He most certainly is one of those and that helps us. Where he fits in the lineup is for Hitchcock to worry about. Fact is that he can and has played center in the NHL.<BR/><BR/>If we get him and say: Pierre Marc-Bouchard, or Vermette, or RJ Umberger--any of these combos would help. <BR/><BR/>Of the crop that is supposedly available, I like him a lot. He may be somewhat of a stop gap, but when you add a top 6 guy as a stop gap, that can't hurt your team in the least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-13431053392991558922008-06-14T22:16:00.000-04:002008-06-14T22:16:00.000-04:00Does anyone have a breakdown of Malone on the PP? ...Does anyone have a breakdown of Malone on the PP? If he goes to the net then maybe he brings the skill level and toughness of our Powerplay up which certainly would be a big help in itself. I don't think we should overpay this guy on the wing but I don't like him at center either. I maybe buy into the logic that signing a guy like Malone signals to other UFAs that Columbus is serious. And lets face it: this guy has Stanley Cup experience now which is critical on the BlueJackets right now.Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12726419190807161499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-14911472555745063502008-06-14T21:30:00.000-04:002008-06-14T21:30:00.000-04:00pub: I am a bit concerened that Zherdev is going ...pub: I am a bit concerened that Zherdev is going to get us as much as we hoped. <BR/><BR/>He is a known malcontent and faded into the woodwork down the stretch last season when the team needed him. Pair that with his salary rocketing to 3.5 mil (thanks again Doug) for next year, he will be tough to unload.<BR/><BR/>Surely he could be packaged for something, but it is a shame that a guy with that much skill has created such a poor reputation for himself at such a young age. When the Russian national team doesn't even want him, you know you are in trouble!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-71659807438260188822008-06-14T20:03:00.000-04:002008-06-14T20:03:00.000-04:00Malone looks to me to be a classic Hitch type play...Malone looks to me to be a classic Hitch type player. Yea...5 mill seems like a lot for sure. But keeping him on wing may free us up even more for trading Zherdev for that #1 center. If we just give up a mid round pick or Fritsche than I would be very happy.Camhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18064265896999560124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-35270618354974234842008-06-14T16:39:00.000-04:002008-06-14T16:39:00.000-04:00I think it would be a great asset to have Malone. ...I think it would be a great asset to have Malone. He is gritty, big, competitive, experienced and seems to care about his teammates which is exactly what the jackets need. Nash doesn't exactly need a guy who can make the perfect play to be on his line, he clearly can do a lot <BR/><BR/>of the heavy lifting himself. Heck he has been doing it mostly on his own his whole career. <BR/><BR/>What Nash needs more than anything, is another big body to go to the net with him. Somebody who can take some focus off of him. Imagine Nash, Malone and Modin as our top line? <BR/><BR/>We need NHL calibre players, and yes 2 centers is most desired, but seriously, at this point we need competitive players who are willing to pay the price. Malone is that and Malone IS a center. He was a center up until all those guys came in to Pitts. <BR/><BR/>If both Scott and Hitch are comfortable/confidant in adding him as a center, I would imagine we all should feel at ease with it. They know what it takes for a player to adjust positions and whether or not they are capable of it. <BR/><BR/>Fedorov was our best d-man when he went back there. Hitch used Kapenen--a RW I believe as a d man in the playoffs a few years back. Both guys did a fine job moving to completely different positions! <BR/><BR/>Moving from wing to center might be tough if you hadn't ever done it, but Malone WAS a center. He knows the position so I can't imagine he would have too tough of a time adjusting. <BR/><BR/>5 mil for 5 years is a bargain--if this guy tests free agency his tag will go up. Why wait for that if Scott can swing a deal for in the ballpark of what Portzline stated, why wouldn't you? Seems like a no-brainer. <BR/><BR/>I think we all have to get used to the fact that the costs are going up and 5 million a year ago isn't the same as 5 now. It just cost more, but even stating that, I don't think 5 mil. for him is too much.<BR/><BR/>In a few years hopefully Brassard and Voracek will take over at center and Malone could be our checking center or give more depth on the wing after/if Modin leaves. <BR/><BR/>Sure, maybe he isn't a Marleau or a Jokinen, but let's face it...Oli could simply be one of those 'good player on a bad team guys'. He has also never played a playoff game. I am not sure I want to invite more of that type of complacency into the locker room. Malone came to within an inch of the grand prize and his hunger level will be increased dramatically.<BR/><BR/>Marleau just doesn't thrill me. He seems to lack an edge when he plays, and from the rumors that I have heard, he brings nothing to the locker room. This is also a guy who hasn't seemed to reach a different gear. Plus, isn't he going to make 6.3 million next year? That is way too much for him, imo.<BR/><BR/>Malone would be a great addition, imo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-4738572668814542512008-06-14T16:03:00.000-04:002008-06-14T16:03:00.000-04:00I agree with Neal; that is, Malone is a piece of t...I agree with Neal; that is, Malone is a piece of the puzzle, and as good a place to start as any. I'm not sure about 25M for 5 years, but I'm not hip to the market-will trust GMSH on this one. DF or 3rd rounder for him sounds about right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942323299745921789.post-91873480846740025212008-06-14T14:59:00.000-04:002008-06-14T14:59:00.000-04:00I think a guy Ryan Malone can really help the CBJ,...I think a guy Ryan Malone can really help the CBJ, so yes, I'll be excited if we acquire him, but hopefully, it's for a 3rd round pick. That seems more than fair for a guy Pitt has no intentions on resigning.<BR/><BR/>2nd line LWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com