Norrena clears

I just read this bit of news:

With goalie Fredrik Norrena having cleared waivers, Steve Mason will start Wednesday against San Jose, and Pascal LeClaire will start Thursday against Dallas

Looks like its one of two options for Norrena 1. accept an assignment in Syracuse or 2. head back over to Europe. I'm going with option #2.

Also Puck-rakers has reported that Derek Dorsett has been cleared to re-join the club:

Right winger Derek Dorsett, out the last 2 1/2 weeks with a broken finger, has been cleared to return to the Blue Jackets. He's practicing today with the rest of the club and could play on Wednesday vs. San Jose.

It's not clear if Dorsett will be able to fight upon his return.

That is great news because the Jackets can certainly use Dorsett's energy. What doesn't make sense to me was Howson's comment in the paper this morning regarding Norrena being put on waivers:

Howson said the move was not to free up a roster spot in advance of Friday's mandatory holiday roster freeze that runs to Dec. 27.

Lets see... Roster is at a maximum of 23 players. Dorsett is cleared to return while Norrena is put on waivers. Seems pretty cut and dry to me that this was indeed a move to clear out a spot for Dorsett.

You've hung onto Norrena for this long so why else make the move unless someone on the IR is ready to return?

I guess Wilson could be sent back down but he's a nice option to have right now... Mason has proved his worth so Norrena becomes your most expendable part.

Moving on.

Lots of chatter out there that Mats Sundin has chosen his new team... Yeah its definitely not Cbus Jacket fans so don't get your hopes up. Its actually being speculated that its the Rangers. Of course the Rangers are damn near maxed out on their cap so something big would have to give for them to squeeze Sundin in. A big ticket player like Gomez or Drury would have to be on their way out.

There has been some speculation that the Rangers have a deal lined up with Vancouver and its Gomez's name that is getting mentioned. That makes some sense considering its Vancouver that has a standing 2 year offer to Mats at 10 mil per. If they miss out on him they may be willing to absorb a guy like Gomez as he is a center they could use. I wouldn't expect Vancouver to give up much, if anything, for absorbing that contract however.

The kicker for me is I believe Gomez has a NTC and he is just into the 2nd year of his 5 year contract with them.

There are some pieces on the Rangers that Columbus could certainly use with Gomez being one of them but including this year Gomez has 4 years left on his deal at 8, 8, 7.5 & 5.5 -- don't count on Howson taking on that one in a small market with a slumping economy/attendance and a cap expected to fall.

Now if a guy like Dubinsky or Giradi's name popped up in the conversation... things would get real interesting. The Rags won't part with those two quality and affordable pieces to get Sundin in their fold though.

Wonder if they'd take Backman back for Gomez (I kid... I kid..).

-LTL