Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Rumors

Jan Hejda may miss rest of season with knee injury
Comment
March 16
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Jan Hejda's season of frustration might end the way it virtually began. The Blue Jackets' top stay-at-home defenseman suffered a sprained right knee in the first period last night in a 5-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers and could be lost for the remainder of the season. Team officials estimated that Hejda will miss three to four weeks. He played just four shifts, one after being slashed by Edmonton winger and former Jackets teammate Gilbert Brule. The sprain is similar to the one he suffered to his left knee Oct.13 against Calgary. He was tabled for three weeks with that injury, and it took him an additional month to regain his form. Hejda was a plus-43 during his first two seasons with the ..."
Coleman hints at public takeover of Nationwide Arena
Comment
March 10
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Officials involved in talks to stabilize the Columbus Blue Jackets' finances hinted yesterday that the plan taking shape is likely to include public ownership of Nationwide Arena. In an appearance on All Sides With Ann Fisher, the WOSU-AM public-affairs program, Mayor Michael B. Coleman said he envisions the involvement of both the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and Ohio State University's Schottenstein Center. The Blue Jackets' $5million annual rent for Nationwide Arena and $4million annual loss to run it are the biggest factors in the team's finances, according to a report made in November for the Columbus Chamber. The report said losing the NHL franchise would devastate ..."
Rick Nash leaves game in first with undisclosed injury
Comment
March 9
Columbus Dispatch
 
"At least the Blue Jackets didn't keep their fans up all night this time only to blow another third-period lead. No, the outcome was delivered so quickly, so decisively, writers for Jay Leno could have penciled in Blue Jacket gags in time for his monologue. There was rich material to be mined from this odious performance. The Los Angeles Kings scored four times in the first 16 minutes last night on the way to a 6-0 victory in Staples Center. "That was more than tough, it was embarrassing," forward R.J. Umberger said. "We didn't play smart. If we get beat, we get beat. But we were our own worst enemies out there." Goaltender Steve Mason's recent run of fine play ended as he allowed the first ..."
Jackets trade Mathieu Roy
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March 3
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets have traded defenseman Mathieu Roy, playing in minor-league Syracuse, for center Matt Rust. Rust is playing at the University of Michigan. Rust, 20, was the Panthers' fourth choice, No. 101 overall, in the 2007 draft. He is a 5-foot-10, 192-pound forward. He has 11 goals and 21 assists in 37 games this season for the Wolverines."
Jackets Trade Alex Picard
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March 3
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets have traded forward Alex Picard -- the franchise's No. 1 pick in 2004 -- to Phoenix for forward Chad Kolarik. Kolarik, 24, was a seventh-round pick (No. 199 overall) in the 2004 draft. He is 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds."
Kings acquire Modin from Jackets
Comment
March 3
TSN.ca
 
"The Los Angeles Kings have added some offensive punch as they have acquired Fredrik Modin from the Columbus Blue Jackets for future considerations. The 35-year old Modin, who has an Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup ring on his resume, has been limited to 24 games this season due to knee and foot injuries. He has two goals to go along with four assists."
Jackets Trade Jurcina
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March 3
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets have traded defenseman Milan Jurcina back to the Washington Capitals. The Jackets received a sixth round pick in return for the Slovak defenseman. Jurcina, an unrestricted free agent, was traded from Washington along with Chris Clark for Jason Chimera on Dec. 28"
Sabres get Torres
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March 3
Buffalo News
 
"The Sabres, in search of a top-six forward with scoring potential, have acquired left wing Raffi Torres from Columbus, according to sources. The 28-year-old comes to Buffalo in exchange for defenseman Nathan Paetsch and a second-round draft pick, according to TSN. Torres has spent most of the season on Columbus' second line and has 19 goals and 12 assists in 60 games. His best season came with Edmonton in 2005-06, when he scored 27 times and helped the Oilers advance to the Stanley Cup finals."
No Jackets deals yet, but stay tuned
Comment
March 3
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson has earned a reputation for being a patient man when it comes to acquiring assets and moving pieces. This season's trade deadline will be no exception. The Jackets were not expected to make any substantial deals until today - when the last trades must be consummated by 3 p.m. Howson is believed to be shopping all three of his unrestricted free agents: forwards Raffi Torres and Fredrik Modin and defenseman Milan Jurcina. Moving Jurcina, who had a strong Olympics for Slovakia, has been complicated by an undisclosed injury that he supposedly suffered in the bronze-medal game. He did not play last night against Vancouver. The Jackets are thought to be ..."
Jackets' Klesla could consider shutting it down
Comment
February 28
Columbus Dispatch
 
"To watch the Blue Jackets' Rostislav Klesla walk down a hallway is to see nothing wrong with the defenseman. It's not until Klesla talks about his winter of rehabilitation and inactivity that one gains a measure of his pain. "I always tell myself that injuries are part of the game, and so I tried to stay around the guys and remain positive," he said. "But deep inside, it hurts a lot. It's just tough not to be able to play." Klesla might require season-ending surgery to repair a labral tear in a hip. Doctors discovered the problem as he was rehabilitating tears to his groin and abdomen suffered in a game Nov.30. Klesla, who has played just 60 games in the past two seasons, will meet with ..."
Jackets primed to resume seller role
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February 28
Columbus Dispatch
 
"A year ago, Blue Jackets fans enjoyed the rare treat of seeing their club enter the NHL trade deadline as buyers rather than sellers. The organization was good to its word, making the first deal of the day in acquiring forward Antoine Vermette from Ottawa for goaltender Pascal Leclaire and a second-round draft pick. The Blue Jackets should be active again as the Olympic break trade freeze ends tonight at midnight. But they likely will return to a familiar pattern of moving unrestricted free agents such as winger Raffi Torres and defenseman Milan Jurcina for draft picks and prospects. With the deadline set for 3p.m. Wednesday, the Blue Jackets sit in 14th place in the Western Conference, ..."
Klesla might be finished for the season
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February 27
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets defenseman Rostislav Klesla, who suffered tears to his groin and abdomen Nov.30, had hoped to return to action after the Olympic break. That timetable will not be met. In fact, Klesla's next game might not be until next season. The Dispatch has learned that Klesla's return is not imminent, and the club might decide to sit him out for the remaining 19 games. General manager Scott Howson and Klesla are expected to address the defenseman's status, perhaps as soon as today."
Jackets probably will be sellers
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February 16
Columbus Dispatch
 
"While many Blue Jackets headed to the tropics, the desert or the Olympics over the past 24 hours, general manager Scott Howson packed his bags for a scouting trip this week through several small Canadian towns. That's not the only short stick Howson drew during the NHL's two-week Olympic break. While many GMs are looking to add talent for a stretch drive toward the Stanley Cup playoffs, Howson expects to be unloading players. "It's a gray area, but we're probably leaning more toward being sellers," Howson said. "Nothing is final yet. "It is difficult for all of us, yes, because we didn't expect to be in this situation. But that's the reality. You have to make the most of it." The Blue ..."
Torres awaits word on his future
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February 14
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets left winger Raffi Torres is busy obtaining the proper documentation so that his infant daughter can visit her grandparents in Toronto during the Olympic break. "Everybody in the family wants to see the baby," he said. With the Jackets next-to-last in the Western Conference, Torres likely will be making more travel arrangements soon. Torres, who will become an unrestricted free agent after the season, will almost certainly be shopped before the March 3 trade deadline. But Torres said yesterday that he would still be open to negotiating with the Jackets after July 1 even if he is traded. "I would have to see how everything works out, but they are the ones who gave me another ..."
Hitchcock, Blue Jackets haven't cut ties after firing
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February 5
Columbus Dispatch
 
"One day after he was fired as Blue Jackets coach, Ken Hitchcock hinted that his days with the organization are probably not finished, that he's more than likely to assume a senior adviser role in the front office before next season. The last two times Hitchcock was fired -- by Dallas and Philadelphia -- he jumped at the first job he was offered. He said it'll take the "absolute right situation" to jump this time. And it's not because of coaching fatigue. Hitchcock, who has two years left on his contract with the Blue Jackets, confirmed to The Dispatch last night that he made promises to late majority owner John H. McConnell in the weeks leading up to his death two summers ago. Hitchcock ..."
Jackets' Torres likely on trading block
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February 2
Columbus Dispatch
 
"One month and one day from the NHL trade deadline, all signs point to Blue Jackets left winger Raffi Torres being traded to a playoff contender in exchange for draft picks or prospects. As of yesterday, the Blue Jackets and Torres' agent, Eustace King, had not discussed, even preliminarily, a contract extension that would prevent Torres from becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1. When asked whether he was frustrated by the lack of progress toward a new deal, Torres said: "I want to stay here and play hockey here. I'm very happy here in Columbus. "To be honest, I have to stop thinking about (a contract extension) and just worry about what's happening on the ice. I don't feel like I've ..."
Dorsett injury a mystery
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January 28
Columbus Dispatch
 
"It sure looked as though Blue Jackets right winger Derek Dorsett suffered an injury to his left forearm or wrist midway through the first period Tuesday during a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. But neither the club nor the player would reveal any details yesterday, except to say that Dorsett would miss tonight's game against the Los Angeles Kings in Nationwide Arena. Even though the Blue Jackets are eight points out of eighth place in the Western Conference, they're in playoff mode in regard to revealing injuries. "It's upper body and he's day to day," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We'll see if he's available for the weekend.""
Voracek could play tonight
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January 26
Columbus Dispatch
 
"On Saturday night, Jake Voracek stayed home and watched his first Blue Jackets game on television. He didn't enjoy the experience. "It was weird not to be there with the team," he said. Voracek hopes to return to the lineup tonight against the Nashville Predators. He missed his first game of the season and just his third in two seasons because of an apparent head injury."
Voracek close to returning
Comment
January 25
Columbus Dispatch
 (scroll down)
"D Rostislav Klesla will join the Blue Jackets at practice on Monday morning. He won't stay for the entire session, but he'll take part in the shooting and passing drills from the start of practice. This is the latest significant step forward for Klesla, who is expected to return before the Olympic break. RW Jake Voracek faces a big day today. He'll work out off ice. If all goes well, he could dress on Tuesday vs. Nashville."
Team remains vague about Voracek's injury
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January 24
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets right winger Jake Voracek missed his first game of the season last night because of an upper body injury. Beyond that, information about Voracek's situation gets murky. Voracek, who was elbowed in the face Thursday by the Boston Bruins' Michael Ryder during a 3-2 Blue Jackets win, remained in Columbus last night while the team played at the Minnesota Wild. "I'm feeling pretty good. Not bad," Voracek said. "We're going to be safe with me not playing, but hopefully I'll be back on Tuesday (against Nashville in Nationwide Arena)." The Blue Jackets are not calling it a concussion, and Voracek said he had not taken any tests Friday or yesterday. He declined to discuss any symptoms ..."
Blue Jackets' Picard and Boll both questionable for Tuesday
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January 4
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets won't know until Monday if they need to recall a forward for Tuesday night's game against the Canucks. Fourth-line forwards Alex Picard (lower body) and Jared Boll (hand) were injured in last night's 3-2 loss to Colorado. Both players are making the trip. Picard likely will sit out the first game, but the Jackets are still waiting news on Boll. General manager Scott Howson said no recalls will be made before Monday morning. Two days after Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock wondered if he should have started the "win and you're in" goaltender policy before Dec. 20, guess what? He's suspending it, at least temporarily. Steve Mason, who lost Saturday, will start against the Canucks, ..."
Mason no longer Blue Jacket's #1 goalie
Comment
December 21
Columbus Dispatch
 
"With their losses mounting and the season slipping away, the Blue Jackets are taking a new approach to their goaltending. Before practice yesterday, coach Ken Hitchcock informed the club that Steve Mason no longer is the club's undisputed No. 1 goaltender. Mathieu Garon will start at 9 tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes. If he plays well, Garon will keep playing, too, not resort to the backup role he's held up to this point. "Win and you're in," Hitchcock said. "That's just where we're at now. If a guy wins, he gets to keep going. "We can't wait any longer to get going." Mason allowed three goals on five shots and lasted only 4 minutes, 15 seconds in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Colorado. It's ..."
Jackets to open in Sweden next year
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December 17
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets will open the 2010-11 season with two games in Sweden, multiple NHL sources told The Dispatch. No date or opponent has been set, and an NHL spokesman would not confirm the report yesterday, nor would Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson. Sportsnet.ca reported that the NHL has settled on six clubs to play in Europe at the start of next season: Columbus, Boston, Carolina, Minnesota, Phoenix and San Jose. The Blue Jackets have four Swedish players: defenseman Anton Stralman and forwards Kristian Huselius, Sammy Pahlsson and Fredrik Modin, although Modin will be an unrestricted free agent this summer."
Jackets' Hitchcock standing on solid ice
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December 17
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets president Mike Priest and general manager Scott Howson are looking for a tweak -- such as by adding a top-four defenseman -- not a seismic blast to jump-start their struggling team. They still believe that the Blue Jackets can win as presently constructed, and that includes with coach Ken Hitchcock behind the bench. "The owners and myself firmly believe that we are very well-managed and very well-coached," Priest said. "We have in mind the style of hockey we want to play, the identity we want to create. This club was built with that style in mind. "Frankly, the Hitchcock style of hockey is the Blue Jackets style of hockey. Hitch is here because he delivers that kind of ..."
Blue Jackets make minor trade
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December 8
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets have made a minor-league trade today, sending winger Pascal Pelletier to the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Brendan Bell and forward Tomas Kana, The Dispatch has learned. Also, Syracuse winger Brock McBride was sent to Peoria -- the Blues' affiliate -- for future considerations. Bell, 26, is a veteran minor-league defenseman. He's bounced around a lot since he was a third-round draft pick (No. 65 overall) by Toronto in 2001, from the Leafs to Phoenix to Ottawa to St. Louis and now the Blue Jackets' organization. In 101 NHL games, Bell has 7 goals, 21 assists and 51 penalty minutes. He spent 53 games in the NHL with Ottawa last season, putting up 6-15-21. In 22 games with ..."
Hitchcock won't be going anywhere
Comment
December 8
NHL.com
 
"Now that the NHL has seen its first coaching dismissal of the 2009-10 season, there will be an inevitable search on to see who might follow John Stevens out from behind the bench. Don't look at Columbus' Ken Hitchcock as the next candidate. Asked about Hitchcock's status amidst a 1-5-3 skid, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson told Aaron Portzline that no thought has been given to making any change in Columbus. "Hitch is safe," Howson told Portzline on Sunday. "To suggest otherwise is just ludicrous. It has not even entered anybody's mind. It's not something we'd even consider." "I'm like most coaches," Hitchcock said of his job security. "I worry about (getting fired) each and every week. I ..."
Injury to Klesla rattles Jackets
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December 1
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets have seen defenseman Rostislav Klesla lying on the ice several times this season, trying to gather his senses and shake off the pain after absorbing a hit or blocking a shot. Last night, they knew the injury was different. They could hear the screams and see his right leg twitching as the Jackets medical staff attended to him. Enjoying his best start to a season, Klesla suffered a left leg injury, possibly a groin tear, in the first period of the Blue Jackets' 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. He was transported to a hospital, where an MRI was to be performed. The Blue Jackets did not update his condition after the game, calling it only a lower body injury. They offered no ..."
No trades on horizon for Jackets
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November 30
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson has a saying for times like this: "Struggle and emerge." No doubt about it, the Blue Jackets are struggling. Heading into tonight's game against the St. Louis Blues in Nationwide Arena, the Jackets have lost five straight games, their longest skid since the end of the 2007-08 season. As for how they're going to get out of this grip, Howson signaled yesterday that the help will not come from his office. Not right now, anyway. He continues to talk with GMs around the NHL -- that's a normal course of his job -- but he's not actively pursuing a "shake-up" trade, and he's not close to making a move. "I think the solution is in our (dressing) room," ..."
2010 opener may be in Europe
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November 23
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets are in the middle of their longest road swing of the season: five games, two times zones and two countries. That's nothing compared with the trip they might make next fall. The Jackets have been invited by the NHL to start next season in Europe, general manager Scott Howson said. "We have been approached by the league, but that's all I can say," he said. The Jackets are believed to be one of six teams weighing offers. The others include Minnesota, Carolina, Boston, San Jose and Phoenix, according to ESPN.com. In the past few seasons, the NHL has sent four teams to Europe to train and play two regular season games. For instance, Detroit and St. Louis opened this season in ..."
Stars need to take the high road in a physical game
Comment
November 20
Dallas Morning News
 
"Maybe there's a reason the Stars have been one of the least penalized teams in the NHL this season. Because when they tried to dial up the toughness Thursday night against Columbus, the result wasn't pretty. Dallas had its first three fights at American Airlines Center this season, but allowed three power-play goals en route to a 4-1 loss. James Neal received a five-minute major for boarding in the second period and the accompanying game misconduct. The play will be reviewed for a possible suspension, as well."
Filatov's return uncertain
Comment
November 18
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets are about to take a leap of faith with prized prospect Nikita Filatov. The organization's decision to allow Filatov, 19, to return to his former Russian club for one season comes with a written contract, but no guarantees. The Jackets yesterday announced they had agreed to loan the winger to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League (KHL). With no player transfer agreement in place between the NHL and KHL, however, Filatov can remain in Russia as long as he desires. In essence, the Jackets have a handshake deal with Filatov, CSKA and its coach-general manager Sergei Nemchinov. "All we have given him is the right to stay for this season," Blue Jackets general manager ..."
Back to Russia, for now
Comment
November 18
Columbus Dispatch
 
"When the Blue Jackets depart today for a season-high five-game trip that begins Thursday at Dallas, rookie left winger Nikita Filatov will be headed, in so many ways, in the opposite direction. Unable to gain the trust of coach Ken Hitchcock and earn significant ice time, Filatov began pushing this month for a return to his native Russia, where he can play more and be a goal-scoring star. The Blue Jackets granted Filatov's wish yesterday, agreeing to loan him to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League for the remainder of the season. Filatov and the Blue Jackets say that he will return to Columbus next September for training camp, but there are no guarantees. "It has been frustrating ..."
Filatov to Moscow, this loan has high rate of interest
Comment
November 18
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Nikita Filatov was buried so deep in Columbus that he will reappear on the other side of the planet. Yesterday, it became official: Filatov, a gifted former first-round NHL draft pick, was loaned to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League. The first year of his NHL contract has been burned. It will be spent on another continent. This is a hot topic among Blue Jackets fans, and for many reasons. Does coach Ken Hitchcock have something against Russian players? That is one theory being espoused -- especially in Russia. First, Sergei Fedorov was picked on, then Nikolai Zherdev was shipped out, and now this. Does Hitchcock's ego have room for world-class talent? He seems to go out of his ..."
Filatov leaving Blue Jackets
Comment
November 17
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Rookie left winger Nikita Filatov is leaving the Blue Jackets to return to his native Russia, The Dispatch has learned. The Blue Jackets today reached a one-year loan agreement with CSKA-Moscow of the Contental Hockey League. Filatov will play his first game in Russia on Saturday. "Everybody had high expectations for him," Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said. "I still have high expectations for him. "It's just not happening as soon as we'd hoped, but that's OK, too." The Blue Jackets have been assured that Filatov will return to Columbus next fall for training camp, Howson said. They own Filatov's NHL rights through at least the 2016-17 season. Many expected Filatov, 19, to ..."
Filatov might leave team this week, sources say
Comment
November 17
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets rookie forward Nikita Filatov, who has struggled to remain in coach Ken Hitchcock's lineup, might be headed back to Russia, perhaps as soon as this week, according to sources within and beyond the NHL. Jackets general manager Scott Howson would not comment on a potential agreement allowing the 19-year-old Filatov to return to his former club team, CSKA Moscow. Nothing has been finalized, however, and Filatov and the Blue Jackets are expected to talk again today about the possibility of staying in Columbus. At least one teammate has encouraged Filatov to give the situation more time before making a decision, a source said. Neither Filatov, a healthy scratch last night against ..."
Flyers acquire Legein from Columbus
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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 ..."