Pitkanen available

The Edmonton Oilers have just acquired Lubomir Visnovsky from the LA Kings for Matt Greene and Jarret Stoll.

With Visnovsky now in the fold the Oilers have the following cap hits in terms of offensive d-men next season:

Visnovsky - 7 mil
Souray - 6.25 mil
Gilbert - 3.5

That's 15.75 million committed to 3 d-men...and here's the part that should interest Jackets fans -- that is without getting Joni Pitkanen signed.

This move clearly means that Edmonton has every intention of dealing Pitkanen. They certainly aren't going to have the money or desire now with Visnovsky in the fold to re-sign Pitkanen.

In fact with Visnovsky and without Stoll or Greene the Oilers currently have 50.4 million committed to 18 players. That doesn't leave a whole lot of room to flush out the roster. Certainly not enough room to give Pitkanen the 5 mil a year he most certainly wants.

Its no secret the Jackets need puck movers. We know Howson has a relationship with Oil GM Kevin Lowe. It wouldn't shock me at all if he weren't on the phone this very minute trying to work a deal for the rights to Pitkanen.

I've discussed Pitkanen in this space before. He's a 23 year old 6'3" 214 lb puck moving d-man. Sportsnet.ca's take on him:

Assets
Has tremendous size and strength for the blueline position. Oozes offensive potential and displays plenty of grit, toughness and character.

Flaws
Will need to play up to expectations in a tough sports city (Edmonton), which could be an intimidating factor throughout his career. Is somewhat fragile.

Career potential
No. 2 defenseman.

He didn't have the best of years last season only notching 26 points in 63 games but he does already have 3 season with 40+ points on the blueline. He's also played for Hitch in Philly.

If we are going to overpay this is the kind of guy I roll the dice on. I have absolutely no idea if we have the assets to acquire him but reading some reaction from Oil fans they all seem to think Pitkanen is gone and that they'll want cheap gritty players in return. Tollefsen/Fritsche/Brule may look a little more attractive to them right about now.

With a lack of puck moving d-men on the market - especially with Liles now off the board - this guy is a juicy trade target and if a deal can be swung before July 1st and it couldn't do anything but help the perception of Columbus as a UFA destination.

This is a guy I could see building a defense around and would fit great with our young core.

Keep you eye on Chicago though. I could see them making a big play for Pitkanen as well. Wouldn't that just be another blow to the gut.

-LTL

Key to taking next step

I was thinking today about what this team really needs to get over the hump....to start scoring the goals that have been lacking.

To me its all starts with an upgrade or two on defense in the puck moving department. Dick Tarnstrom is a step in that direction but appears to be more of a short term bandaide solution to help immediately this season.

But what about the next season or the following season? I think the organization has to look towards the unrestricted free agent market this summer or look to wheel and deal via trade(s).

Some of you are probably saying WHAT? We need goals! Trust me when I say goals are generated from good quick outlet passes and defensemen on the powerplay who always find the open man whether it be on the rush or if they are controlling the zone. It all starts there. Unfortunately we just don't have the transition.

That's not to say our offense doesn't need some work but that's another story for another day.

As of today there are 3 guys who may be available this offseason as unrestricted free agents and could help us quite a bit but will also cost a pretty penny. Lets take a look at them:

Wade Redden is a #1 defesemen who can play in any situation -- PP/PK/ES -- all equally well. He's 30 and has a ton of NHL experience. Ottawa is a team with a lot of high dollar contracts and I don't see how they can afford him. Couple that with the fact that Redden has been rumored to have already tried to been traded by the Sens but didn't waive his no trade clause.

TSN's take on Redden:
Assets Plays with ice water in his veins and never gets rattled. Is extremely durable, a good skater and fine passer. Owns an accurate point shot.
Flaws Needs to play a more physical game and initiate contact with greater frequency. Has more to offer in terms of offensive production.
Career potential No. 1 defenseman.

2007-08 Ottawa NHL 55 6 26 32 +16 48 100 6.00
2006-07 Ottawa NHL 64 7 29 36 +1 50 122 5.74
2005-06 Ottawa NHL 65 10 40 50 +35 63 153 6.54
2004-05 Did not play - - - - - - - - -
2003-04 Ottawa NHL 81 17 26 43 +21 65 175 9.71
2002-03 Ottawa NHL 76 10 35 45 +23 70 154 6.49
2001-02 Ottawa NHL 79 9 25 34 +22 48 156 5.77
2000-01 Ottawa NHL 78 10 37 47 +22 49 159 6.29
1999-00 Ottawa NHL 81 10 26 36 -1 49 163 6.13
1998-99 Ottawa NHL 72 8 21 29 +7 54 127 6.30
1997-98 Ottawa NHL 80 8 14 22 +17 27 103 7.77
1996-97 Ottawa NHL 82 6 24 30 +1 41 102 5.88

Very consistant and impressive statistics.

Next is Dan Boyle who is 31 and has a Stanley Cup to his credit with the Tampa Bay Lightning and can really put up the numbers offensively. Unfortunately for him he suffered a freak hand injury and has been sidelined most of the year. He is back now and has 7 points in 10 games. Tampa would like to keep him but with the money they have tied up in the big 3 (Lecavlier, St. Louis, Richards) I don't see how they can unless they move one. I think there is a high probability he becomes a UFA this offseason.

TSN's take on Boyle
Assets Runs a power play smoothly and with creativity. Puts up impressive point totals and has improved his overall play in the defensive zone.
Flaws Is not big or strong enough to handle NHL power forwards in front of the net.
Career potential Top four defenseman.

2007-08 Tampa Bay NHL 10 2 5 7 -6 10 19 10.53
2006-07 Tampa Bay NHL 82 20 43 63 -5 62 203 9.85
2005-06 Tampa Bay NHL 79 15 38 53 -8 38 153 9.80
2004-05 Djurgardens IF Swe 32 9 9 18 +4 47 79 11.39
2003-04 Tampa Bay NHL 78 9 30 39 +23 60 137 6.57
2002-03 Tampa Bay NHL 77 13 40 53 +9 44 136 9.56
2001-02 Tampa Bay NHL 41 5 15 20 -15 27 68 7.35
2001-02 Florida NHL 25 3 3 6 -1 12 31 9.68
2001-02 Total Fla/TB NHL 66 8 18 26 -16 39 99 8.08
2000-01 Florida NHL 69 4 18 22 -14 28 83 4.82

Boyle started off a litte slow but really came on in the 2002-2003 season and has taken off from there. He also is a product of Miami of OH.

Finally there is Brian Campbell of the Buffalo Sabres. Campbell is 28 and has really come into his own the past 3 seasons. There is a decent chance he'll get resigned but you never can tell what the Sabres will do. He'll be hotly pursued if he hits the open market.

TSN's take on Campbell
Assets Is an extremely gifted offensive talent. Has plenty of creativity and intelligence with the puck. Owns excellent mobility.
Flaws Can get easily knocked off the puck at the NHL level. Needs to play a tighter game in the defensive zone, so as to avoid being labeled a specialist.
Career potential Power play quarterback.

2007-08 Buffalo NHL 54 4 32 36 +2 8 88 4.55
2006-07 Buffalo NHL 82 6 42 48 +28 35 92 6.52
2005-06 Buffalo NHL 79 12 32 44 -14 16 105 11.43

Solid statistics and is just now hitting his prime. I also think this guy is an underrated hitter.

There are always trade options as well.

One name that has been in the headlines is the Oiler's Joni Pitkanen. I think it would be worth our while to see what it would take to land him. He's the young franchise defensemen that would be huge here plus his best years thus far have come under Hitch. That and he's only 25!

TSN's take on Pitkanen
Assets Has tremendous size and strength for the blueline position. Oozes offensive potential and displays plenty of grit, toughness and character.
Flaws Will need to play up to expectations in a tough sports city (Edmonton), which could be an intimidating factor throughout his career. Is somewhat fragile.
Career potential No. 2 defenseman.

2007-08 Edmonton NHL 39 7 9 16 +1 38 59 11.86
2006-07 Philadelphia NHL 77 4 39 43 -25 88 137 2.92
2005-06 Philadelphia NHL 58 13 33 46 +22 78 118 11.02
2004-05 Philadelphia AHL 76 6 35 41 +9 105 197 3.05
2003-04 Philadelphia NHL 71 8 19 27 +15 44 133 6.02

Had the one off year last year but the entire Flyers team did as they finished dead last in the NHL. He had two great years under Hitch which makes me believe he could blossom again under him.

Either way we need a top guy. We need more offense generated from the backend end of story.

My ideal defenisive lineup next season:

Redden/Campbell/Boyle/Pitkanen Klesla
Foote Hejda
Russell Tollefsen
Methot

*that's assuming we can get Foote for 2 years @ less that 3.5 per and Hejda stays on for 3 years @ less than 2 per; if either aren't in that ballpark then do what's best for the franchise and if that includes dealing them then so be it

Unfortunately a guy like Ron Hainsey may be the odd man out. He's played well for us but he will command close to 3 million a year and I don't think the Jackets have enough confidence he can get the job done for that amount of money.

Ron Hainsey is a 3/4 defensemen on our team - probably a 4/5 on most others. He's had a decent year but is not as strong in all 3 key areas.

So sure it would be great to pay 6-7 mil for Redden and pay Hainsey the 3 mil a year he's going to want but I don't think the org will be willing when their are other holes to fill.

..and trust me, its going to take 6 to 7 mil to land one of these guys. Sure its overpayment but that's the name of the game in unrestricted free agency. You just have to make sure you overpay for the right guy or you could handicap your franchise for the forseeable future. I'm confident the group of d-men I listed would be worth the overpayment.

So my priority list is as follows:

1. Wade Redden - solid #1 dman in all 3 zones and all 3 situations
2. Joni Pitkanan - ideal if somehow you can pull a trade off that makes sense now and in the future
3. Brian Campbell - younger version of Brian Boyle so I go with the youth
4. Dan Boyle - Stanley Cup winner and proven PP QB how has the experience and skillset this team desperately needs

If Tarnstrom steps in and performs then maybe he's another guy you look to keep. If Hainsey wants a 3 year deal at less than 2 mil and it doesn't hinder the organization's ability to get a one of those top guys then have at it.

There are tons of scenarios and you have to have a contingency to your contingency but that's what I'd shoot for.

So I start with defense as its the #1 priority after goaltending and then from there I look towards obtaining a center either again by UFA or by trade.

-LTL

Re-ignite the Zherdev trade rumors

Our good buddy Eklund over at Hockeybuzz.com has reported the following:

Blue Jackets and Canucks Talking? Oilers? I am chasing down a rumour this morning that the Jackets are talking to the Canucks about "a center off of their roster." I don't yet know what is being discussed the other way.I am also hearing that there have been some discussions that the Oilers may make a pitch for Zherdev.

Of course as with everything Eklund you take it with a grain of salt but it does give us something to discuss as we await tomorrow night's game.

Obviously Eklund and his "sources" have picked up on the latest Zherdev situation here in Columbus and the trade rumors are starting to fly. You've got to think that at this point GM Scott Howson is intently listening to all offers. So lets take a look at Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers to see if they make sense.

Vancouver - well here is a team that has stated publicly that they need another top 6 winger. Zherdev, when playing up to his ability, is certainly that. Would they be interested in Z? It seems like a valid possibility.

What the Jackets need is a center or another puck moving d-man. There has been rumors of Brendan Morrison (pictured right) being on the block in Vancouver. Morrison is a 32 year old center who has had a very consistent NHL career. He is scheduled to make 3.2 million this year and then will be an unrestricted free agent which means he'll be free to sign with any team. The Jackets could use him but I'm not so sure they'd be willing to part with Zherdev for a potential 1 year rental. Morrison has averaged 57 points over the past 7 seasons and plays a solid, dependable North American style game.

Of course the guy I'd love to the see Jackets return from Vancouver is Mattias Ohlund. Then again we are talking about a very consistent NHL defensemen who is scheduled to make 3.5 million over the next two years which is a bargain for what he brings. He will then be a UFA himself. The Canucks have a lot of defensive depth but its unlikely they'd move Ohlund unless they dig themselves a hole at the beginning of the year and get a little desperate for offensive help.

Edmonton is next. Here is another team that could use some offensive help and appears to have a lot of options on the backend. This team may be a little more plausible considering this is where new CBJ GM Scott Howson was groomed for 7 years as an assistant GM. There are a couple of players on this team that certainly would fill needs for us.

The first being Joni Pitkanen. Pitkanen was drafted by the Flyers 4th overall in the 2002 draft. He is an offensive defensemen who had a horrible year last year which was similar to Zherdev. He has since been shipped off to Edmonton for a multi player deal. Pitkanen signed a 1 year deal with Edmonton this summer and rumors are that he may be flipped yet again. Coach Ken Hitchcock has experience with this player as he coached him in Philly so it would seem if he did come over in a trade for Z we know what we'd be getting. On paper he would most certainly fill a need as an offensive defensemen.

The other player I'm interested in would be Shawn Horcoff. He is a 29 year old center who has put up pretty good numbers as a pro averaging 43 points in the last 5 years. He is scheduled to make 3.6 million over the next two years and then will be a UFA. He would fill an immediate need as a top 2 center. Maybe not the most ideal option but considering Z will make 3.5 million next year the salaries are a wash and Horcoff plays a good North American game. Again, if Howson brought him over he'd know what he was getting.

So there are a few options. Of course nothing is set in stone in terms of Z getting dealt and this is just mostly speculation and conjecture at this point.

One thing I do hope for is that GM Scott Howson will kick many tires around the league if he is serious about dealing Z and if he does deal him, its for something that will immediately help this team. I don't think that will be a problem as this GM strikes me as a very patient and careful and will want to make his first major deal as a GM a good one for the franchise and his track record.

No offseason would be complete without a little Zherdev drama!

-LTL