Who is Howson eyeing?

Reports have Jackets GM Scott Howson in Ottawa last night for the Sens/Leafs game. Both teams are expected to be sellers at the deadline.

So whose he eyeing? Both teams have a number of players rumored to be on the block.

Leafs:
Nik Antropov, Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, Dominic Moore, Jamal Mayers, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Matt Stajan

Sens:
Jason Spezza, Antoine Vermette, Filip Kuba, Chris Neil, Chris Kelly

Heck I might as well list the full rosters for both squads right?

Bottom line is that this is a great game for Howson to watch in person b/c its a large pool of players to scout in one setting.

If he makes a move with one of these squads my money is on one of two guys:

Dominic Moore
Why? He's a cougar whose contract is expiring after this season. The plays a strong north/south game and wouldn't cost a lot to obtain. He's another piece to the puzzle and would help compliment the middle of the ice.
Cost? 3rd round pick

Antoine Vermette
Why? A co-ed that would cost Howson more to obtain than Moore but this is a young versatile center/winger who wold certainly help the top 6 not for just today, but also tomorrow as he's signed for next year as well.
Cost? I don't see Howson moving a first but a combination of a 2nd round pick plus Mayorov type prospect may get it done. They could also offer one of their "defending" defensemen. A Klelsa/Methot/Rome type.

I know many of you are probably asking why not Antropov? Couple of reasons. #1 - If Burke is holding out for a #1 pick like he says he is then Howson will not bite. #2 - Antropov has played more wing than center and his game has been streaky. I think there are better fits for the same or less cost.

Here is a name you can cross off the list. From Pierre LeBron:

Olli Jokinen
Right now, five teams have serious interest in Jokinen (one year left at $5.5 million next season), but the Coyotes could also move him at the June draft instead. There have been rumors about Columbus being interested, but we can tell you that's not the case. The Blue Jackets are not interested.

There are just way too many red flags at this point with Jokinen so this is good news. Ask yourself this question? Why would the Coyotes want to trade a 30 year old center in his prime who is their second leading scorer who still has a reasonable 1 year left on his contract 5 months after acquiring him? Big centers in their prime are like gold in this league.

I know there is financial problems in Phoenix but something stinks with Olli.

From the same article he mentions the Jackets' interest in Tim Connolly:

Tim Connolly
Contract talks continue between the Buffalo Sabres and Connolly's camp (UFA July 1). We're told the Jackets like him, but the Sabres may not necessarily move him even if they can't sign him. After all, they want to make the playoffs.

I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again -- if Connolly is available and the price is reasonable this is a risk I believe Howson has to take. I know he's one hit away from the end of his career but his skill level is exactly what we need in the top 6 and on the PP. The Jackets aren't going to find the perfect center as teams just don't part with those kinds of players.

If its Klesla or a 2nd round pick I pull the trigger.

Its really heating up out there. Bill Guerin was scratched tonight and has apparently approved a trade which has yet to be announced. Its believe to be to a Eastern Conference team -- Washington seems to be thought here. The other big rumor is that the Boston Bruins are expected to acquire Chris Pronger.

3 days til the deadline.... and I still can't get enough of this actually "being a buyer" thing.

I'll have some pre-game thoughts on Vancouver a little later today. Just another game that is the biggest in Jackets history.. ho hum!

-LTL

Cross Jokinen off the list

It appears Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch has it on pretty good authority that the Jackets are not interested in Florida Panthers' center Olli Jokinen. Here is what he said in the Puck-rakers blog:

Olli Jokinen is NOT going to join the Blue Jackets. Just cross his name off the list right now, folks. Trust me on this one.

I've got to be honest here, I"m scratching my head on this one.

No doubt Portzline has gotten word straight from the man himself on this one. Scott Howson had to have told him the Jackets were not interested.

My question is why the hell not?

Now Jokinen is not at the top of my wishlist but he's certainly on it.

If they are interested in Marleau then why not Jokinen? Both guys come with question marks. If they didn't then neither would be on the block as organizations find a way to keep franchise #1 centers.

Jokinen is 29 years old. He's signed for 2 more years at 5.25 mil and 5.5 mil. He's scored 71, 91 & 89 points over his past 3 seasons.

Here is sportsnet.ca's take on him:

Assets
Is a big presence up the middle and a good face-off man. Has above-average hands and the instincts of a natural goal-scorer. Can play the wing in a pinch.

Flaws
Is a better scorer than playmaker, which makes him a little predictable over the long haul. Must continue to grow as a team leader.

Career potential
First line center.

True he isn't the ideal playmaker for Nash as Olli scores as much as he dishes but beggars can't be choosers at this point. We need more scoring and Olli would give us that in spades.

He's one year older than Marleau, he about 1 mil cheaper per year and he had 71 points versus 48 on a non-playoff team.

If we are talking Z + 6th for Marleau then I'd rather take my chances with Olli with that package.

Why? Well its an overpayment either way but if I had to choose Jokinen has consistantly put up better numbers as the "man" on a poor team. I am more confident that he could step into the Columbus lineup and continue putting up those numbers more so than I am with Marleau.

Clearly there is something more here. Perhaps Jokinen has some character issues or isn't much of a team player? Maybe Olli has come communicated through back door channels that he would not play for Columbus? Maybe Howson has already kicked the tires and the price was so outrageous that he immediately crossed him off the list?

I'm sure the org has got its reasons but on the surface this one is a real head scratcher.

-LTL

Jokinen, Richards, Marleau -- CBJ interested?

Its no secret the Jackets have lacked a #1 center since.....well since existance.

With the trade deadline only 8 short days away the rumors are really starting to heat up. The three players that have really caught my attention as a Blue Jackets fan are Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers, Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks.

Why do they interest me you may ask?

For one they are all bonified #1 centers. For two they are all under contract for at least two years or longer. For three they all have long been rumored to be on the trading block for various reasons. None of the three play in the Jackets division and in fact, two play in the East. Vary rarely do you see teams trade inter-division. Four, the Jackets can afford them. Five, the Jackets have the young assets to make a bid. Six, they are all in their prime under the age of 29.

Lets take an in depth look at each guy:

Olli Jokinen
Signed: 2 more years @ 5.25 & 5.5 million a piece
Age: 29
TSN Profile:
Assets Is a big presence up the middle and a good face-off man. Has above-average hands and the instincts of a natural goal-scorer. Can play the wing in a pinch.
Flaws Is a better scorer than playmaker, which makes him a little predictable over the long haul. Must continue to grow as a team leader.
Career potential First line center.
Skinny: Similar to the CBJ the Florida Panthers have missed the playoffs for 6 straight years. Oli Jokinen is the go-to guy on this team and thus he hasn't gotten them anywhere. The Panthers are said to be looking to move in a new direction and dealing Jokinen would be a huge part of that.
What they need: Without Jokinen they will have clear need for a #1 center so it wouldn't surprise me to see Jokinen swaped for antoher star NHLer. They'll either go that route or take a multiplayer swap that could fill a lot of needs however they got burned pretty bad on that route when they dealt Luongo.

Brad Richards
Signed: 3 more years @ 7.8 million a piece
Age: 27
TSN Profile:
Assets Has incredible imagination with the puck and excellent playmaking ability. Likes to shoot the puck often and displays two-way savvy.
Flaws Isn't big or physical, so he may wear down against bigger opposing centers. Will occasionally pass up a great scoring chance.
Career potential First line center.
Skinny: Said to be on the block as Tampa has way to much tied up in 3 players (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards). Tampa is non-playoff bound and its time for a shakeup. Richards appears to be the guy they want move but he does have a NTC (no trade clause).
What they need: Preferably a #1 starting goaltender but those are hard to come by. Other than that they'll want youth and lots of it as their prospect cupboard is bare. The team that can offer the most NHL ready youth will have the inside track here.

Partrick Marleau
Signed: 2 more years @ 6.3 million a piece
Age: 28
TSN Profile:
Assets Is blessed with great speed and can catch defenders off guard by blazing right by them. Has natural goal-scoring ability, good size for the center position and emerging leadership issues.
Flaws Still suffers through bouts of inconsistency from time to time. Needs to use his size even more to his advantage.
Career potential First line center.
Skinny: Marleau is having his worst year since his rookie year. Its been rumored that he and his coach, Ron Wilson, do not see eye to eye. His contract also has a no movement clause that kicks in this July. If the Sharks want to move him the time is quickly approaching.
What they need: The Sharks will make the playoffs so if they were to move Marleau they'd want rosters players in return to help in their quest for the cup. They especially need a puck moving defensemen.

From a Jackets perspective all of these guys are attractive. Could you imagine a Nash-Richards-Modin line? Or what about a Nash-Jokinen-Modin? Yeah, I'm salivating to.

Of course for the Jackets to be a player for any of these guys they must:

1. Be willing to take on salary
2. Be willing to part with blue chip youngsters

Here's what it may take:

Jokinen: Zherdev + Brule + 2nd or Zherdev + Brassard

Richards: Zherdev + Brule + Methot or Zherdev + Brule + Lindstrom + 2nd

Marleau: Foote + Fedorov or Hainsey + Fedorov and maybe a propsect or pick thrown in there

Again both Tampa and Florida will be on the outside looking in so they won't want rentals. The Sharks however want to win the whole thing so a Foote + Fedorov package could look pretty attractive but it would be a high price to pay if they are knocked out of it early.

I have Zherdev included here but I think he's a very attactive player now but one in which I'm not sold that the CBJ or sold on long term. Now may be the time to sell high and if he could return a #1 center or defensemen then that's where I start. No I'm not Z hating, but you have to give to get. Also remember he's got one year left on his deal and with the way salaries are rising, things could get hairy come contact negotiation time. Z's value may not be greater than it is right now.

I really don't see the Jackets giving up a 1st round pick for any of these guys -- not when it could be a lottery pick. Now once the Jackets draft position is decided and they evaluate their picks, maybe they move it in the offseason for a proven player - but for now, I can't see it.

Regardless if these three are truly on the block I have to think GM Howson is having some pretty juicy conversations about what it would take.

My priority wishlist: Jokinen, Richards then Marleau
Who the Jackets have the best chance at: Ricahrds, Marleau then Jokinen

Of course the Jackets could just stay out of the bidding, trade their vets at the deadline -- collect more assets and then buy pieces for just money this offseason. The chance you take there is will the players you target want to come to Columbus and for how much?

Stay tuned Jackets fans -- it could get real interesting around these parts.

-LTL