Blue Jackets Trade Rumors

"Long before the Blue Jackets played their first game -- perhaps before they were even known as the Blue Jackets -- the McConnell family was prepared for the inevitable. The death of majority owner John H. McConnell on April 25 will not disrupt the day-to-day operations of the club, president Mike Priest said, nor will it result in an ownership shakeup or in the Blue Jackets being put up for sale. The transition of majority ownership to McConnell's son, John P., will follow a path that was mapped out as many as 10 years ago."

"Blue Jackets defenseman Jan Hejda did not want to test the waters of free agency this summer. He said that several times this season, and now he has proved it. Hejda, 29, re-signed with the Blue Jackets, agreeing on a three-year contract worth $6 million... The club is likely to re-sign restricted free-agent defensemen Marc Methot, Aaron Rome and Clay Wilson, but, of that group, only Wilson can be considered an "offensive" defenseman, and it's unlikely the Blue Jackets would bank on him being in their top six heading into training camp."

"Left winger Rick Nash and goaltender Pascal Leclaire are the names that can be written on the lineup card in ink for next season. The Dispatch takes a look at the roster -- who is under contract, who could be on the way out and who could be on the way in, either from the minor leagues or junior ranks..."

"Will he trade right winger Nikolai Zherdev, whose stock has soared this season? Will he trade both No. 1 picks? Will he tender offer sheets to restricted free agents? Will he acquire the rights to unrestricted free agents before they hit the market?"

"Rostislav Klesla, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and Kris Russell are under contract through at least next season, so that's three shoo-ins. The crux of the dilemma lies with the Blue Jackets' two unrestricted free agents, Jan Hejda and Ron Hainsey."

"Rampant leaguewide speculation has the Jackets making a draft-day run at San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau, but it's possible -- even likely -- that Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson will check on the availability of others, including Daniel Briere of Philadelphia, Patrick Elias of New Jersey, Scott Gomez of the New York Rangers."

"On a day the Jackets bestowed the captain's "C" on left winger Rick Nash, they also named center Michael Peca an alternate captain. Awarding Peca, an unrestricted free agent, an "A" with just 12 games remaining is an intriguing move, one that raises an obvious question: Does it mean the team plans to re-sign him? "Hopefully, it says they want me to be around for a little while," said Peca, 33."

"With a dearth of top-flight centers available through free agency this summer -- Martin Straka, Brendan Morrison, Daymond Langkow and Vaclav Prospal top a mediocre list -- the Blue Jackets likely will need to make a trade to acquire the kind of difference-maker they need. Nothing helps swing an offseason trade like a No. 1 draft pick, especially in this salary-cap era, and now the Blue Jackets have two. "

"General manager Scott Howson said he might not wait until the offseason to negotiate with defenseman and unrestricted free agent Jan Hejda."

"Only three of the Blue Jackets' top six defensemen have contracts for next season: Rostislav Klesla, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and rookie Kris Russell. That leaves general manager Scott Howson with tough decisions to make regarding the other three, especially when the Blue Jackets will have so much cash to spend this summer and there figures to be such a bumper crop of free-agent defensemen. Howson is not showing his hand, but the toughest call might involve Ron Hainsey, who can be an unrestricted free agent July 1."

"The Red Wings are hoping to pick up a goal-scoring forward, and Atlanta's Marian Hossa and Tampa Bay's Vaclav Prospal are two top players expected to be moved today. The asking price will be steep, however. In a lesser deal, Detroit might pursue former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov if Columbus opts to move him... Brad Stuart of Los Angeles, Dan Boyle of Tampa Bay and Hal Gill of Toronto are some of the players rumored to be on the move who might interest the Red Wings."

"The Wings, in the midst of a 1-7-1 slump, need some scoring punch. They are reportedly interested in former Wing Sergei Fedorov, now with Columbus. Among other possibilities are Marian Hossa (Atlanta), Mike Comrie (N.Y. Islanders) and Ladislav Nagy (Los Angeles)."

"Those comments make acquiring Florida's Olli Jokinen seem unlikely. But perhaps Atlanta's Bobby Holik or Columbus' Sergei Fedorov or Michael Peca are possibilities. Belanger believes that once today's deadline passes, nervous Wild players will relax, which should improve their play."

"With Sundin staying his course in Toronto and Peter Forsberg signing with the Colorado Avalanche yesterday, Murray continues his search. Names like Marian Hossa (Atlanta Thrashers), Sergei Fedorov (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Martin Lapointe (Chicago Blackhawks) have been bandied about."

"Earlier lobbying for Richards by teams such as Columbus and Philadelphia might pay off (the Jackets could offer him a spot on a line with Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev), but expect stronger Cup contenders such as Anaheim to get involved by today. One or both of Ottawa and Montreal, which seemed set to face off over Hossa, could change gears and pursue Richards."

"Richards' name has been most often linked to Columbus and Vancouver, with Montreal, Philadelphia and Edmonton also believed to have interest in acquiring the 2004 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, with Columbus believed to be the front-runner should Tampa Bay decided to trade Richards."

"And as for trading Jaromir Jagr, don't hold your breath... As usual, expect Sather to deal with GMs with whom he has some personal connection - such as longtime pals Brian Burke of Anaheim, Kevin Lowe of Edmonton or Doug Risebrough of Minnesota or former Edmonton assistant GM Scott Howson (Columbus), former Rangers broadcaster John Davidson (St. Louis) and Phoenix GM Don Maloney, who was Sather's longtime second-in-command with the Rangers."

"Lapointe is believed to be coveted by two teams (Ottawa and Detroit) needing more of a physical presence... According to reports, Columbus is very interested in Richards, perhaps offering goalie Pascal Leclaire. "

"Rumor is, Tampa Bay Lightning center Brad Richards is available and the Blue Jackets are making a pitch. This is juicy."

"With Lightning center Brad Richards one of the most mentioned names in trade talks as Tuesday's 3 p.m. deadline looms, it appears a frontrunner has emerged: Columbus... Plus, Tampa Bay might find a solution in free agency by making a run at Montreal's Cristobal Huet, who could serve as a bridge until Karri Ramo is ready."

"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and Rick Curran, the agent for defenseman Adam Foote, had further discussions yesterday on a contract extension for the Jackets' captain."

"The Blue Jackets are among a handful of NHL clubs trying to trade for Tampa Bay Lightning center Brad Richards, sources told The Dispatch. The Lightning's willingness to trade Richards, a high-scoring 27-year-old, was first reported Wednesday by Canadian cable network TSN. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson would not comment on the team's interest in Richards, but two independent NHL sources confirmed it."

"The rumor with the most traction continues to surround talk that Lightning general manager Jay Feaster has put out feelers to see what kind of return could be had for C Brad Richards, with Columbus allegedly showing the most interest at this point, although TSN Canadian television reported that Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton also have interest. Richards, however, holds a no-trade clause, which means he would have to agree to any trade, which might eliminate Edmonton's chances."

"Blue Jackets captain Adam Foote has made a decision: He wants to stay put. After meeting with general manager Scott Howson in recent days, Foote has expressed his desire to sign a contract extension with the Blue Jackets rather than risk being traded at Tuesday's NHL trade deadline."

"The Wild is still probably keeping at least one eye on the Peter Forsberg situation, but the fact remains that the team needs a center. And the Blue Jackets might have two available: 38-year-old Sergei Fedorov and 33-year-old Michael Peca."

"If Howson is a buyer, here are two names to keep in mind: Mike Comrie of the New York Islanders and Vaclav Prospal of Tampa Bay, both unrestricted free agents this summer. Comrie would cost more than Prospal -- and the Islanders aren't out of it yet -- but neither would require fully mortgaging the Jackets' future."

"Even though he didn't play last night in Detroit, Blue Jackets center Sergei Fedorov is once again big news in Hockeytown. There is rampant speculation that Fedorov, who won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in the 1990s and early 2000s, will return to Detroit in a trade deadline deal between the two Central Division clubs."

"'Tis the season for trade speculation, so chew on this: Sergei Fedorov to the Carolina Hurricanes for a first-round draft pick... Yesterday, the Jackets showed up in Joe Louis Arena amid a twittering of speculation that Fedorov will be a Detroit Red Wing by 3 p.m. Feb. 26, the trade deadline. "

"The idea of returning to the Red Wings appeals to Sergei Fedorov. In town with the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday, Fedorov skated on his own after the morning skate. He has been out since Jan. 18 because of a concussion. "

"Sergei Fedorov didn't rule out a possible return to the Red Wings when he spoke to reporters Friday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena."

"As the NHL trade deadline approaches, speculation is growing Sergei Fedorov might once again become a Red Wing."

"If you’re Mr. GM Kevin Allen of the Red Wings and can only go after one, would you go after Rob Blake or Sergei Fedorov?"

"But while Sundin is healthy if not agreeable to a trade, the Blue Jackets couldn't deal Fedorov if they wanted. He's been out of action two weeks with a concussion and though he's owed only $2 million US more on the $18.2 million deal he brought to Columbus in 2005, he has just 74 points in 181 games and is a minus-12."

"General manager Scott Howson said he will talk to Adam Foote's agent, Rick Curran, in the next 48 hours to see where the two sides stand on the team captain's future with the club."

"While RW Radim Vrbata has been on fire, the Coyotes might consider moving him... The Jackets are fielding calls for D Ron Hainsey, but they haven't decided if they're going to be a buyer or seller at the deadline ..."

"The next three weeks are crucial for the Blue Jackets, who must decide whether they are a playoff-caliber club and a buyer or a seller at the Feb. 26 trade deadline. On Feb. 27, the off-ice focus should shift to re-signing goaltender Pascal Leclaire, who is set to become a restricted free agent July 1... We keep hearing that the Sharks are considering trading center Patrick Marleau, who's having an off year. "

"As Mats Sundin mulls his future in Toronto and Marian Hossa and the Atlanta Thrashers try to figure out whether they want to save their union or get a divorce, Adam Foote and the Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to come to an agreement soon on the defenceman's future... Other bigger-name defencemen who probably could be had for the right price in the next few weeks include Rob Blake and Brad Stuart of the Los Angeles Kings and Dan Boyle of the Tampa Bay Lightning."

"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and captain Adam Foote have had productive discussions about various aspects of the franchise. Next week, they will meet to talk about Foote's future with it. Howson said yesterday that he wants to gauge Foote's interest in remaining with the Blue Jackets as the Feb. 26 trade deadline looms."

"Howson and the Blue Jackets made a run at signing free-agent center Peter Forsberg, but it's not going to happen. "We touched base," Howson said, referring to Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley. "It doesn't look like it's going to be a fit for the Blue Jackets. We expressed interest. It just doesn't look like it's going to work at this point.""

"Should Toronto continue to tank, Mats Sundin could be available. There is a section of the Rangers' hierarchy that believes David Vyborny of Columbus could center Jagr. And until he either calls off his latest comeback attempt or signs with somebody else, free agent Peter Forsberg remains the most enticing possibility of all."

"The Blue Jackets hang within shouting distance of eighth place, but Howson decides -- gulp! -- that it's not going to happen this season. So, even with the fan base getting excited and the club four or five points out of eighth place, he dumps the unrestricted free agents -- Adam Foote, Sergei Fedorov, Ron Hainsey, Jason Chimera, Michael Peca, Jan Hejda -- for prospects and picks, the promise of a bright future... Chatter last week had the Blue Jackets shipping center Fedorov to Ottawa for defenseman Joe Corvo. "

"The Wings are roughly $5 million under the salary cap. But with the regular season about three-quarters done at the trade deadline, that projects to about $15 million worth of contracts. So the Wings could conceivably grab two or three high-profile players if they so choose. Here are some of the players who could be available Feb. 26..."

"The Blue Jackets are known to be interested in Pittsburgh center Erik Christensen, who's stuck there behind three world-class centers. But it might take Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to swing the deal."

"Defenseman Duvie Westcott, once regarded as a top free-agent find, has possibly played his last game for the Blue Jackets."

"Five weeks before the deadline, the rumor mill is churning. Here's a look at some of the players who might be moved and the chances of landing them..."

"The Pittsburgh Penguins might be willing to move centre Erik Christensen for help on the blue line. The Columbus Blue Jackets covet Christensen and would part with defenceman Duvie Westcott. New York Rangers assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld has been watching Columbus closely, but it's thought the Jackets are not ready to deal defenceman Adam Foote. With the news this week that Steve Sullivan is done for the year with back trouble, the Nashville Predators will be in the market for a scoring forward."

"A glass partition separated Rangers GM Glen Sather's box from the three Columbus Blue Jackets scouts seated in the press box last night. Had they been sitting together, Sather probably would have had no trouble convincing the Columbus bird dogs that the Rangers need to make a trade. Getting them to convince Columbus GM Scott Howson that any Ranger is worth acquiring would have been a tougher sell. "

"There's no doubt that if Thrashers forward Marian Hossa is available as the NHL's trade deadline closes in, he'll be the premier target for Stanley Cup contenders. The general managers' meetings in Naples, Florida are just over a month away, and the trade deadline is Feb. 26."

"The New York Rangers once again had a scout at last night's game. The Blue Jackets and Rangers are believed to have had trade discussions."

"Rumors in and out of the break had the Blue Jackets and Blueshirts ready to swap, with the Rangers keen on acquiring Czech winger David Vyborny. But no dice. Rumors have it that the Jackets wanted another forward, Brandon Dubinsky, in the swap, but the Rangers would prefer to part with Petr Prucha."