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http://www.columbussports.com/content/hotNews/happy_Free_Agency_Day.shtmlAn Interesting Day Ahead for the Columbus Blue Jackets...
CBJ Not Expected To Be A Factor, So… Random Rumblings Time!
Happy Free Agency Day, everyone! Ah, such a proud tradition, this annual ritual of going after well-overhyped players, and paying a couple million a year more than you should to get them on your team.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are not expected to do much on the Free Agency front today… or this week… probably even this month. The need still remains for a top-line center, but we can probably expect that to come via trade down the line this summer.
"Such a proud tradition, this annual ritual of going after well-overhyped players, and paying a couple million a year more than you should to get them."
However, that’s not to say the Jackets haven’t made additions at forward. The CBJ picked up Ethan Moreau this week, off waivers from Edmonton. He figures to fit in on the bottom two lines somewhere. He peaked before the lockout, but he can still put up points. We’ll see what happens.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are adding former forward Dan Hinote to the coaching staff. Sadly, this doesn’t help the CBJ’s top two lines, at least not directly on the ice. I wish the dude was still playing, but I think his energy as a player could translate well to a coaching position, and be a good presence on the staff.
So, with the Jackets being (and expected to continue to be) quiet today, let’s look around the world of upcoming bloated salaries….
I was in the stands at a Blue Jackets game when the announcement came that New Jersey had seemingly won the lottery, and acquired Ilya Kovalchuk in a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers. Now, the hype machine restarts for Kovy as an unrestricted free agent (which of course, is why Atlanta traded him away in the first place, because why overpay for one guy when the rest of the team is just lousy). Will Jersey manage to keep him? Well, they probably should have thought of that by now, but hey, the guy wants to test the market. Although the Devils got bounced early (again) from the Playoffs, Kovy managed 2 goals and 4 assists in those five games. Not bad for a guy playing in only his second postseason. If he winds up on a contender (assuming any of them have the cap space), look out.
Part of me began to wonder if Chicago was making room for Kovy on their roster, having already traded away Dustin Byfuglien and Kris Versteeg. I can’t imagine that creates nearly enough cap room, though. Plus, well… they just won the Cup. The Blackhawks are scary enough.
"I have always said that salaries are only paid during the regular season, but salaries are truly EARNED in the Playoffs."
Neither Evgeni Nabokov nor Marty Turco received offers from the Sharks and Stars, respectively, so they’re the big marquee names in net. Expect them to take pay cuts wherever they wind up. Their Playoff woes precede them, although obviously, Turco’s have been worse, and Nabokov finally seems to be starting to turn the corner. Obviously, the regular season (and getting into the Playoffs in the first place) is important. But I have always said that salaries are only paid during the regular season, but salaries are truly earned in the Playoffs. I see both Nabby and Turco in backup-slash-mentorship roles on teams with young goaltending talent. I expect one of them will go to Washington to replace Jose Theodore and to mentor Semyon Varlamov.
Now, this is the sentimental, loyalist side of me talking here… but how in the hell can the Dallas Stars not even make a contract offer to Mike Modano? Remember my schtick in the LeBron James post this week on the rarity of a one-franchise player in pro sports? Well, Modano has been the face of the Stars/Minnesota North Stars franchise his entire career. That kind of player is a gift… and I think it’s horrible that the Stars are sending him off like that. The only thing I’ve heard so far about prospects was with the Bruins. Frankly, as much as I’d love to see him retire as a one-franchise player, part of me would like to see him in a position to burn the Stars. Hey, Mr. Howson… he’s a center. Sure, he’s 40… but maybe there’s a discount there.
Enjoy the Free Agent Parade, everyone! At least the Jackets won’t be overpaying for any of them!