Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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October 20

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers today acquired right wing Stefan Legein from Columbus in exchange for defenseman Michael Ratchuk. Legein will report to the Flyers AHL affiliate in Adirondack."

Filatov staying put

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October 15

Columbus Dispatch

"Nikita Filatov's diminishing ice time in the Blue Jackets' first four games culminated on Tuesday in a healthy scratch against the Calgary Flames. The 19-year-old Russian watched as the Blue Jackets beat the Flames 2-1 to improve to 4-1-0, the best start in the franchise's nine seasons. It's unclear whether Filatov will play on Saturday when the Blue Jackets host the Los Angeles Kings in Nationwide Arena. But Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson yesterday ruled out the possibility that Filatov would be sent to the club's minor-league affiliate in Syracuse, N.Y., to get ice time. "We have no plans to send him to Syracuse," Howson said. Further, Howson said, Filatov's comments during ..."

Hejda's injury will leave wider hole on Blue Jackets' blue line

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October 15

Columbus Dispatch

"The concussive blast of the victory cannon had barely subsided Tuesday in Nationwide Arena before the Blue Jackets' mood turned from glee to glum. Bedrock defenseman Jan Hejda suffered a left knee injury late in a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames, and the pain intensified shortly afterward in the dressing room. Yesterday, an MRI confirmed a sprained medial collateral ligament. Hejda, who was hurt in an inadvertent knee-on-knee collision with Flames forward Curtis Glencross with 1:24 remaining in the game, will miss four to six weeks, the club said. "It's a big blow, because Jan is a player we obviously rely on in a lot of different situations," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. ..."

It's good for Jackets that Klesla is still in picture

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October 4

Columbus Dispatch

"There is this photograph. For years, it hung in the office outside the Blue Jackets' dressing room in Nationwide Arena. Later, it hung in the hallway behind the press box. It seemed to trail the media, scouts and front-office staff members, in a creepy sort of way, like the money you could be saving with Geico. It was a blown-up picture of Rostislav Klesla, wearing No. 44, and it was captured in the Jackets' first or second season. In the picture, Klesla is following through on what should have been a wicked shot, but the puck is not a blur, and it is not close to being on net. No, this shot is well, well wide, and it is heading directly toward the fragile feet of then-Colorado Avalanche ..."

Flames trade D Stralman to Blue Jackets for third round pick

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September 29

TSN.ca

"The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Anton Stralman to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a third round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. The 23-year old Tibro, Sweden native registered one goal and 12 assists and 20 penalty minutes in 38 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season."

Klesla awaiting word on contract

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September 26

Columbus Dispatch

"Derick Brassard, who has played all of 48 NHL games, signed a three-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets on Sept. 4. Antoine Vermette, whose time as a Blue Jacket amounts to six weeks late last season, signed a five-year extension 11 days later. Agitator Derek Dorsett, a fourth-liner, got a two-year extension between those two deals. What must defenseman Rostislav Klesla -- the last original Blue Jacket and the active franchise leader with 444 games played -- be thinking? Klesla is due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, yet general manager Scott Howson and Klesla's agent, Jiri Crha, have had only preliminary talks. "There's still a lot of time for me," Klesla said. ..."

Vermette close to contract extension

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September 15

Columbus Dispatch

"The acquisition of center Antoine Vermette at last season's trade deadline was crucial to the Blue Jackets' first playoff appearance. General manager Scott Howson believes the versatile Vermette is a key component to the franchise's long-term success. It appears the player feels the same way. The two sides are close to an agreement on a multiyear contract extension, Howson said yesterday. Vermette, 27, would be an unrestricted free agent at season's end. The two-way forward registered seven goals and six assists in 17 games last season after being traded from the Ottawa Senators for goaltender Pascal Leclaire and a 2009 second-round pick (goaltender Robin Lehner). Howson has spent much of ..."

Some veterans can't afford to take jobs for granted

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September 13

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets training camp opens this morning with two practices and two scrimmages in the Dispatch Ice Haus. In the past, these games might have been viewed by some players as glorified warm-ups. But for some, especially veteran forwards with one-way contracts, the Blue Jackets' ninth training camp will be far more competitive than the previous eight. "Nothing is set in stone, and I think a lot of us had better realize that," left winger Raffi Torres said. "I haven't studied everybody on the roster, but I know there are a lot of young guys here making a push, and there are a lot of guys who have to earn spots. "That's something I, personally, have to look out for, and I'll be ready for ..."

Filatov's honest, talented -- and he'll be a Jacket

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September 12

Columbus Dispatch

columnist Michael Arace

"It is possible that Nikita Filatov will be playing in Magnitogorsk, Moscow, or some other city in Russia's Continental Hockey League this season. It is equally possible that Rick Nash will be wearing a Maple Leafs jersey. Filatov arrived in Columbus on Wednesday night. Today, he will have his physical, the first official task of Blue Jackets training camp. He will be watched closely because he is 19 years old, arguably the most talented player in the team's stable -- and unafraid to speak his mind. Last month, Filatov caused a stir on two sides of the globe when he told a Russian journalist that he has interest in the Continental Hockey League, or KHL. Filatov said he had been approached ..."

Paper says Flyers checking Columbus alum

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July 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers were scheduled to have former Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen in for a physical on Sunday and planned to sign the native of Oslo, Norway, if he passed, the Delaware County Daily Times reported Sunday.With Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren on vacation, a team spokesman was unable to confirm yesterday that the unrestricted free agent had been in town.The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Tollefsen is a four-year veteran who was taken by the Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2002 NHL entry draft.Often injured, Tollefsen, 25, is a tough player who was involved in 26 fights in his last three seasons in Columbus.After playing in 70 games in 2006-07 and 51 games in ..."

Blue Jackets wait for trade opportunities

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July 12

Columbus Dispatch

"Free agency has slowed to a crawl in its second week, and a handful of NHL general managers are digging in for a game of chicken. On one side we have GMs who desperately need salary cap room. On the other side are clubs -- like the Blue Jackets -- who are looking for a certain type of player. The Blue Jackets need help on defense. The San Jose Sharks need cap relief. They are perfect examples of what has become the second stage of free agency since the dawn of the NHL's salary cap almost five years ago. Earlier this offseason, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson offered to trade forward Jason Chimera to the Sharks in exchange for defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. Sharks GM Doug Wilson was not ..."

Rumblings

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July 10

Columbus Dispatch

"The San Jose Sharks could emerge as a trade partner for the Blue Jackets, who continue their search for a puck-moving defenseman. The Sharks' signing of Ryane Clowe, Kent Huskins and Rob Blake leaves them $1.7 million from the $56.8 million salary cap for next season, and they still need to sign at least four players -- depth forwards and a backup goaltender. The Sharks have five defensemen making $3 million or more per season. The Blue Jackets have depth forwards to trade and can offer cap relief; a player such as San Jose defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, who makes $3.1 million, would fill the need here. One possible complication to this scenario is that Sharks general manager Doug Wilson ..."

Opening offer a disappointment for Nash

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July 2

Columbus Dispatch

"It didn't take long for the Blue Jackets' contract negotiations with captain Rick Nash to take a contentious turn. After meeting with his agent, Joe Resnick, Nash told The Dispatch last night that the initial offer from Jackets general manager Scott Howson fell short of what he had in mind. Nash watched yesterday's free-agent spending spree, with NHL teams continuing to shower elite players with huge contracts, and said he expected more from the Blue Jackets. "There were tons of teams throwing some pretty big money around," Nash said. "If this doesn't get done, I'm sure I won't have a problem getting signed by somebody next summer." Neither Howson nor Nash revealed details of the proposal, ..."

Blue Jackets busy in market

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July 2

Columbus Dispatch

"The Blue Jackets' No. 1 offseason priority -- re-signing captain Rick Nash -- might be on hold for now. But the team added two key players yesterday on the first day of NHL free agency, signing center Sami Pahlsson to a three-year, $7.95 million deal and goaltender Mathieu Garon to a two-year, $2.4 million deal. The signing of Pahlsson, considered one of the NHL's top checking-line centers, means Manny Malhotra's days with the Blue Jackets are over. "(Pahlsson) brings experience winning experience," general manager Scott Howson said. "He can play against the top players in the league. He'll probably play between 16 and 18 minutes a night and against all the top players in the league. "Our ..."

Wooing Nash

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July 1

Columbus Dispatch

"At an airport hotel in suburban Toronto yesterday, the Blue Jackets commenced their push to keep captain Rick Nash under contract long into the future. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson organized a noon meeting with Nash and his agent, Joe Resnick, at which Howson laid bare the Jackets' plans long into the future: how he plans to build the Blue Jackets, where Nash fits into the grand scheme, etc. It was seen by Resnick as a bold and unique move. But with Nash able to sign a contract extension as of noon today, Howson was willing to go out of his way to state the Blue Jackets' case. "This is the most important contract I've ever been involved with," Howson said. While some NHL clubs ..."

Tollefsen on way out as free agent

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June 30

Columbus Dispatch

"Defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, one of the toughest players to ever dress for the Blue Jackets, probably won't play for them again. The Blue Jackets did not extend a qualifying offer to Tollefsen by yesterday's deadline, which makes him an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. "It was actually a very difficult decision," general manager Scott Howson said. "Ole is everything you want represented in a Blue Jackets sweater. He's unselfish. He has lots of character. He's hard to play against. He has all the characteristics of our kind of player." But Tollefsen, who missed 94 of 164 games the past two seasons mostly because of injuries, had two strikes against him. To keep him, the Blue Jackets ..."

Malhotra signing appears unlikely

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June 29

Columbus Dispatch

"With two days to go before NHL free agency opens, it's almost certain that Blue Jackets center Manny Malhotra will test the market. General manager Scott Howson and Malhotra's agent have not spoken in more than a week since negotiations stalled. Howson would say only that "We have significant ground to cover" if a deal is to get done. The two sides are apart on both dollars and the length of the contract, Howson said. Malhotra made $1.5 million last season, the final year of a three-year contract. Malhotra has not returned several calls from The Dispatch this offseason. If Malhotra leaves, the Blue Jackets will need to add two centers, either through trade or in free agency, which begins ..."

Draft rumors fly, Jackets wait

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June 26

Columbus Dispatch

"As the NHL rumor mill kicks around some of the biggest names in hockey -- Jay Bouwmeester, Dany Heatley and Tomas Kaberle -- the Blue Jackets exist in a sea of relative calm heading into tonight's entry draft in Bell Centre. General manager Scott Howson has had trade talks with at least four clubs, he said, but only trades that would involve draft picks. The Blue Jackets hold the No. 16 overall selection in tonight's first round, but might be looking to move. "We're not talking about a big move in either direction," Howson said. "Just a couple of spots, depending on how this plays out. "We aren't willing to part with the assets it would take to move way up in the order." The Blue Jackets ..."

Jackets due different draft view

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June 21

Columbus Dispatch

"In the Blue Jackets' previous nine trips to the NHL entry draft, the walk from their draft table on the arena floor to the main stage where the picks are announced has been shorter than a Chernobyl tree. Since the NHL places the draft tables for its 30 clubs in worst-to-first order, snaking in five rows of six tables each away from the dais, the previously sad-sack Blue Jackets always had a spot in one of the first two rows. That won't be the case Friday in Montreal's Bell Centre, however. "I'm glad to say our seats won't be nearly as good this year," said Don Boyd, Blue Jackets director of hockey operations and its draft guru. "That's a sign of progress, right?" The Blue Jackets have ..."

Still a debate over who should be No.1

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June 21

Columbus Dispatch

"Ever since the 2008 NHL entry draft ended, a debate regarding this weekend's draft in Montreal has been in place: Who should be the No. 1 overall pick, playmaking center John Tavares or towering defenseman Victor Hedman? Now, there's a third name crowding the scene at the finish line, heart-and-soul center Matt Duchene. New York Islanders GM Garth Snow, who holds the No. 1 pick and doesn't plan on trading it, won't say whom he's leaning toward. "I made up my mind awhile ago," Snow told the New York Post. The safe bet remains Tavares, who has been a headline-maker in Canada since he was granted "exceptional player" status and allowed entry into the Ontario Hockey League as a 14-year-old. ..."

New coach for goalies nears deal

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June 10

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason will be reunited with his favorite coach next season. The Blue Jackets are close to naming David Rook the club's goaltending coach, The Dispatch has learned. An announcement is expected this week. Clint Malarchuk, the Blue Jackets goalie coach since 2006, will not be back with the club. "We're still working out the details with David," general manager Scott Howson said. "But he's the only person we're talking to now, and hopefully it's only a matter of days before it's done." Rook, who was a goaltending consultant with the St. Louis Blues this past season, has spent the past seven seasons as the goaltending coach for the London Knights of the Ontario ..."

Nash noncommittal on contract

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April 25

Columbus Dispatch

"A clean-shaven Rick Nash stood in the locker room yesterday discussing the atmosphere inside Nationwide Arena on Thursday night. An energetic, sellout crowd saw the Blue Jackets rally twice from two-goal deficits before falling 6-5 to the Detroit Red Wings, completing a four-game sweep of the Stanley Cup playoff series. "Obviously, I watched a lot of hockey growing up in Toronto and I have never seen fans stand for a period and a half and be that loud," Nash said. "That's how good it can be if we get on a run." Blue Jackets fans no doubt like the sound of "we." Nash has only one season remaining on his contract, but the Jackets can begin negotiating with him on July 1. After a 40-goal ..."

Jackets set to sit tight, not trade

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March 4

Columbus Dispatch

"As the Blue Jackets arrive at today's NHL trade deadline, general man-ager Scott Howson is considering one "minor" trade offer, awaiting word back from two fellow GMs on offers he has made and holding fast on his promise that he might not do anything by 3 p.m. today. "There's nothing really close right now," Howson said last night. "If we have to stay with this group, that's what we'll do. I think the club is good enough to make the playoffs. We'd like to add to a couple of areas, but only if it makes sense for us now and in the future. "What I won't do is run out and make a deal that gives the perception of helping us, when it really doesn't. I will not do that." The Blue Jackets are ..."

Senators Strike First Acquiring Leclaire From Jackets

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March 4

TSN.ca

"The Ottawa Senators were the first team out of the gate on Deadline Day, trading winger Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Pascal Leclaire."

Deadline sellers unlikely to see big returns

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March 4

Toronto Star

"More and more, today's trade deadline appears to be a prelude to that which lies ahead. To a significant degree, much of what we'll see today – or don't see today – is the direct result of 30 clubs trying to forecast the future in terms of where the industry is heading and, in particular, where the salary cap may be headed. In fact, there were moves yesterday that were indicators of what teams are thinking. Nicklas Backstrom signed a new contract to be the starting goaltender with the Minnesota Wild, and the salary was significant, an average of $6 million per season."

GMs go down to the wire

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March 4

Toronto Star

"Coffee brewed, scouting charts laid out, and lists of wants and needs neatly organized, the general managers of the NHL's 30 teams will meet in boardrooms across North America this morning prior to the trade deadline. Around them will be their confidantes, assistants and scouting directors ready to dial phones, buzz the BlackBerrys, text the messages and e the mail. Reputations will be carved, saviours will be anointed, nerves will be frayed, and regrets – there'll be a few. If things begin as normal, the morning will go slowly from a public perspective: Perhaps a few fourth liners, or fifth defender for some low-round picks as selling GMs try to talk up the price to the buyers. Behind ..."

The No. 1 goal for Jackets: Find more scoring

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March 3

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson took part in a popular weekend tradition on Saturday. He attended a garage sale. The NHL schedule-maker had a different name for it: Game No. 927, Toronto at Ottawa. The contest featured two teams out of the playoff hunt and willing to deal assets for the right price in advance of Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. After browsing the likes of Antoine Vermette, Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore, Howson returned home Sunday and watched his team score one goal for the third consecutive game, a 3-1 loss in Vancouver. It was a western Canadian road swing that emphasized why the Jackets have been in the market for a scoring center or at least a top-six ..."

Deadline provides good theatre

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March 2

Globe and Mail

columnist Eric Duhatschek

"This is how the sands can shift in the ridiculously close NHL standings, with the trading deadline less than 72 hours away: At the all-star break, during the final week of January, it looked as though the only bona fide seller in the Western Conference would be the 15th-place St. Louis Blues, a team undermined for much of the season by injuries, limited scoring and so-so goaltending. The Blues featured at least one tradable commodity - left winger/centre Keith Tkachuk - who would be of some interest to a contender. Every week, a new version of the Tkachuk to the Boston Bruins rumour made the rounds. In the meantime, the Blues quietly chipped away at the gap between them and eighth place. ..."

No trade deadline keepers for Sens

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March 2

Ottawa Sun

"Senators GM Bryan Murray isn't likely to find a goalie by Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. That task will likely have to wait until the off-season. Nobody is ready to throw Brian Elliott under the bus -- or in this case back on one to the club's AHL affiliate in Binghamton -- but it's pretty clear after the Senators' 4-3 OT loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday that Murray is going to have to take a long look at his goaltending. After being pulled in three straight starts, Elliott didn't look very good on Pavel Kubina's game-tying and game-winning goals Saturday and the first goal he allowed Jamal Mayers was no masterpiece either. The options are limited for netminders at the deadline. - The ..."

Leclaire on trading block?

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March 2

Columbus Dispatch

"The Blue Jackets dressing room has been a little quieter since goaltender Pascal Leclaire had ankle surgery in early January. Nobody can remember the last time Billie Jean blared. "And Chimmer's been out awhile, too, right?" Leclaire said, referring to another amplified Blue Jacket, left winger Jason Chimera. Leclaire is expected to cast aside his crutches this week and could return by the middle of April. "My ankle feels already 10 times better than it did when I was playing," Leclaire said. But whose dressing room will he be in? As Wednesday's NHL trade deadline nears, sources have told The Dispatch that the Blue Jackets have had trade talks with a handful of clubs regarding Leclaire. ..."

Howson on the move

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March 1

Columbus Dispatch

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"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson left the Blue Jackets in Vancouver to attend last night's game between the Maple Leafs and Senators in Ottawa. Both the Leafs and Senators are expected to unload players at Wednesday's NHL trade deadline, and Howson has said the Blue Jackets will be buyers for the first time in franchise history. The Jackets are said to be interested in Toronto forwards Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore, and defenseman Pavel Kubina. The most intriguing Senators player to the Blue Jackets is center/right winger Antoine Vermette. A source told The Dispatch yesterday that, despite the struggling economy, Blue Jackets ownership is willing to "spend additional money for ..."

Leafs-Sens rivalry fizzles

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February 28

Globe and Mail

"It's the type of occasion to be circled in red ink on the hockey calendar, but as the fortunes of the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs have sagged, so has much of the resentment characterizing the Battle of Ontario. As the two teams renew hostilities for the fourth time this season Saturday night at Scotiabank Place, they will do so in the knowledge neither is likely to be in the playoffs - the first time since the Senators' rebirth 17 years ago that at least one of them hasn't qualified for postseason play. Quite simply, the hatred and bitterness seem to have drained out amid the dwindling stakes. Sure, the players will still insist beating their rival is a point of pride, but with ..."

D-Day looms

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February 28

Edmonton Journal

"Trade deadline day, in the words of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, is a mixed bag -- "an awful day, an exciting day, a day full of magic, also a day full of very poor decision making." While we've basically had a league-wide roster freeze for the last five months because of salary cap issues with teams, the trade deadline is the one day where GMs actually try to appease (a) braying fans, (b) players who are looking for a jolt, and (c) coaches who can't transplant hands on Shean Donovan or get a heart that beats for Tyler Arnason. You always get some strange trade ideas on Internet sites -- like Edmonton Oilers unrestricted free agent Erik Cole and a fourth-round draft to ..."

NHL teams have stars in their eyes

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February 26

Buffalo News

"The NHL trade deadline is next Wednesday, and nobody is quite sure what to expect in the days ahead. Six teams were within nine points of fourth-place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference heading into Wednesday night. Eight points separated fifth-place Vancouver and 13th-place St. Louis in the West. Buy, sell or flip a coin? So many teams, so many players, so many possibilities. Several superstars are almost certain to change addresses, and several more are capable of pushing teams into contention. Here are a few items worth watching leading into Wednesday while pondering trade rumors du jour. STAR GAZING Jay Bouwmeester, D, Florida. General Manager Jacques Martin didn't rule out trading ..."

Connolly deal can’t be dismissed

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February 25

Buffalo News

columnist Bucky Gleason

"In terms of truth, I’d rather swallow whatever drivel A-Rod is selling than the garble generated near the NHL trade deadline. The only thing planted between an overage of gossip and a shortage of substance is an exaggeration of facts. But every now and again, a juicy hockey rumor actually makes sense. That brings us to the latest “Tim Connolly is headed for [insert team]” chatter making the rounds in recent weeks. This one had the pending unrestricted free agent going to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets have been clamoring for a center of Connolly’s ilk. And why not? Connolly alongside Rick Nash would be frightening with the big winger manning the left side and the right-handed center ..."

Jackets looking to be savvy first-time buyers

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February 25

Columbus Dispatch

"The NHL trade deadline is one week from today, and the Blue Jackets will be buyers for the first time in franchise history. "I believe we have a good chance to get in (the Stanley Cup playoffs) this season," general manager Scott Howson said. "We're not subtracting from our roster, I can tell you that." Between now and 3 p.m. Wednesday, myriad variables are at play. But the Blue Jackets' priority remains adding a center. Buffalo's Tim Connolly -- highly skilled but highly prone to injury -- keeps popping up in the NHL rumor mill. The Sabres are in the playoff picture, but word is the club would rather get something in return for Connolly than let him leave as an unrestricted free agent ..."

All or nothing

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February 22

Toronto Sun

"Will the desperate Habs finally sever ties with Kovalev? Will the Panthers send big Bouwmeester packing to beef up their forward ranks? And what about Pronger, Havlat, Gaborik, Tkachuk... With the NHL trade deadline only 10 days away, Sun Media's Bruce Garrioch breaks down what each club needs -- and who's up for grabs as teams look to play let's make a deal. --- FLORIDA PANTHERS Needs: The Panthers have to decide what they're going to do with D Jay Bouwmeester, who won't be back next season. The club needs scoring up front and there's no question it would be able to fetch that in a trade. GM Jacques Martin could be the biggest player at the deadline. Who's available: D Jay Bouwmeester, D ..."

Mason might return Friday

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February 10

Columbus Dispatch

"Finally, Blue Jackets rookie goaltender Steve Mason had a good day at the rink, practicing for more than an hour with the rest of the club yesterday. "Mase's energy level was higher than it's been in a while," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "That's a really good sign. "We're going to get him through the next couple of days here, and the plan is to play him on Friday (vs. Detroit) if everything keeps going now in the right direction." Mason, whose mononucleosis was diagnosed 10 days ago, was not made available to the media. He's on the injured reserve list, but can be activated at any time. Rookie Dan LaCosta will make his second NHL start tonight."

Vinny a Bolt. . . for now

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January 31

Globe and Mail

"Most weeks, we ignore the temptation to rumour monger because of one grim and obvious reality: In the salary-capped NHL world, you're just as apt to see a genuine blockbuster trade completed as you would a hockey mom from Alaska vie for the second-highest office in the US of A. But sometimes, weird stuff really does happen - and denials notwithstanding, with all the curious moves made by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the past six months, why couldn't Vincent Lecavalier be the next one out the door? It's the sort of juicy speculation that had just enough of a ring of plausibility - even factoring in the complications of doing a deal so monumental - that the story had legs all week. After ..."

Deal might mean Jackets no longer fit Sens

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January 15

Ottawa Sun

"As the Senators moved into the second half of their season last night, the rumblings persist -- as they should in light of the struggles -- that GM Bryan Murray is anxiously trying to make a move. The rumours about the future of coach Craig Hartsburg linger, of course (when your team is 28th in the league and viewed as underachieving, that's inevitable). There have apparently been talks between the Senators and the Blue Jackets with Murray trying to address the Senators' blue-line situation. The best laid plans, eh? Now it remains to be seen how the Jackets acquisition of Jason Williams from the Thrashers just before last night's game might impact a potential deal between Ottawa and ..."

Likable Sanford likely odd man out

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January 12

Vancouver Province

columnist Ben Kuzma

"The math is simple and so is the solution. Three goaltenders don't divide evenly into two roster positions and the odd man out of what will soon be a crowded Vancouver Canucks crease is likely Curtis Sanford. With workhorse starter Roberto Luongo possibly returning Thursday from seven weeks on the sidelines with a groin strain -- and Jason LaBarbera backstopping the club to points in four of his five starts since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings -- the amiable yet inconsistent Sanford is expected to be dangled as trade bait. Yet, in that respect, the loser could be the winner. Dallas and Columbus are both in the market for a backup starter and Sanford would play more for either ..."

Weight, Guerin are used to the trade rumors

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January 6

Newsday

"Trades are a fact of life in the NHL, where few players spend their entire careers with the same team no matter how good they are. The Islanders' visit to Edmonton to play the Oilers last night at Rexall Place stirred happy memories for captain Bill Guerin and center Doug Weight, both of whom still might be here if it had been left up to them. But after being reunited on the same team for the first half of this season, there's a possibility that Guerin and Weight could be on the move again by the March 4 trade deadline even though both have indicated a desire to remain with the Islanders. Entering last night's game, Guerin led the Isles with 13 goals and Weight, who had to sit out with a ..."

Legein wants back in after hiatus

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January 6

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets prospect Stefan Legein said he has regained his passion for hockey. Now, he must regain the respect of the coaches and players within the organization. Legein, 20, arrived in Columbus yesterday to take a physical and meet with Jackets management, the first steps in returning to the game. Legein, the Jackets' second-round pick in the 2007 draft, stunned the franchise during the summer when he informed general manager Scott Howson that he would not attend training camp. Legein cited a loss of passion. "It wasn't that I didn't like hockey. I was just a little bit stressed, a little bit drained, and I didn't want to come in here any thing less than 100 percent," Legein said. "All ..."

More reasons to sign Nash soon

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January 4

Columbus Dispatch

"Marian Gaborik is injured, perhaps for the rest of the season, and has virtually no trade value right now for the Minnesota Wild. Jay Bouwmeester has shown no signs of wanting to sign another contract with the Florida Panthers. These two "franchise" players can walk away this summer via free agency. And they provide a stark look at what might lie ahead for the Blue Jackets with regard to their franchise player, left winger Rick Nash. Nash has said he wants to sign a long-term contract extension with the Blue Jackets on July 1, the earliest date allowed by the NHL's collective bargaining agreement. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson will have the paperwork ready. If that happens, ..."

Deal in the works?

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January 4

Toronto Sun

"Could some members of the Maple Leafs be fitted for a new jacket of the blue variety? The Columbus Blue Jackets have had scouts shadowing several teams lately, and had two at the game Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre between the Leafs and Buffalo Sabres. Nik Antropov and defenceman Pavel Kubina are said to interest Jackets general manager Scott Howson. And you have to figure Leafs GM Brian Burke, now just over a month on the job, is dying to make a deal. Burke apparently has told the Jackets that he gladly will move players with contracts to get draft picks in return. Columbus also has a big interest in New York Islanders centre Doug Weight, who said last week he does not want to ..."

Legein wants back in

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December 3

Columbus Dispatch

"Stefan Legein, the Blue Jackets prospect who mysteriously quit playing hockey this past summer, is ready to play again. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and Legein's agent, Doug Woods, confirmed to The Dispatch that Legein intends to join the club in Columbus within the next few weeks. "I don't think anything has changed with Stefan other than he wants to play again," Woods said. "He misses the game." Legein, the club's second-round pick (No. 37) in 2007, is currently on the Blue Jackets' suspended list. He stunned the front office this past summer when it became known that he wouldn't attend training camp, citing a "lack of desire" to play competitive hockey."

Norrena Going To Sweden?

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December 3

Columbus Dispatch

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"General manager Scott Howson denied a report by a Swedish Web site that backup goalie Fredrik Norrena agreed to a contract with Linkopings, a Swedish club he played with from 2003-06. Norrena's agent, Larry Kelly, also dismissed the report. Norrena, 34, has been the odd goalie out since the arrival of Mason. The Jackets would need to grant Norrena (1-3, 3.16 goals-against average) and his agent permission to negotiate a deal."

Power-play help for Jackets may be on trade front

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November 16

Columbus Dispatch

"The Blue Jackets' power play is like Ian Baker-Finch's golf swing. It's so critically flawed, so toxic to the eyes, that it's best to look away, lest you be permanently scarred. For now, it appears the fix will have to come from within. Christian Backman, who has ranged from atrocious to shaky the past month, will keep getting a shot on the point because he's the only player in the group of defensemen with anywhere close to a power-play skill set. But general manager Scott Howson will keep his eyes open, and lots can change pretty quickly in the NHL. Here's a look at some players/teams/situations that could develop into trading partners with the Blue Jackets in the next few months: • ..."

Contract extension still in distant future for Nash

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November 9

Columbus Dispatch

"It's still nine months from July 1, 2009, the earliest date on which the Blue Jackets can sign left winger Rick Nash to a contract extension. But it's never too soon for the Blue Jackets to make sure The Franchise is happy. In a three-game span last week, Nash played left wing, center and right wing. Only 13 games into the season, he has played with three centers, none of whom appears to have No. 1 qualities. Nash was asked Friday what effect the early season upheaval with the Blue Jackets has had on his future outlook, or his desire to stay with the club long term. "If it's meant to be, it's meant to be," Nash said of a new contract. "We've been over this, and both sides know I want to ..."

Jackets seeking goalie coach

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October 21

Columbus Dispatch

"Some of Clint Malarchuk's finest work as a goaltenders coach will be showcased tonight in the forms of Roberto Luongo and Pascal Leclaire. Luongo has evolved into one of the league's premier puck-stoppers with the Vancouver Canucks after being mentored by Malarchuk in Florida. Leclaire established Blue Jackets franchise marks for goals-against average and shutouts last season under the coach they call "Cowboy Clint." But Malarchuk, recovering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Oct. 7, will not attend tonight's game in Nationwide Arena, and his long-term future with the Jackets is unclear. General manager Scott Howson confirmed yesterday that the club is searching for an interim ..."

Blue Jackets Trade Rumors