What's Next for the Blue Jackets?

NOVOTNY NOT GRANTED OFFER, OTHERS STILL WAIT
Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch, June 22, 2009

Jiri Novotny, a restricted free agent, will not be back with the Blue Jackets next season, The Dispatch has learned.


Novotny, a 25-year-old forward, has been informed by the club that he will not be granted a qualifying offer, allowing him to be a free agent July 1.

In two seasons with the Blue Jackets, Novotny had 12 goals, 17 assists and 66 penalty minutes in 107 games.

The Blue Jackets have four other NHL-level restricted free agents -- left winger Alexandre Picard, defensemen Marc Methot and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, and goaltender Dan LaCosta.

It seems likely that a qualifying offer will be extended to all four, but Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said a decision will be made next weekend after the NHL entry draft.

The juggling continues as the Jackets get the 21st pick from the Ducks...

The RDS panel is comparing Moore to Paul Coffey...if that's the case the Jackets have done very well for themselves.

The Jackets didn't make many UFA moves, but the ones they did make may make them better defensively...

Blue Jackets sign Pahlsson, Garon
TheFourthPeriod.com, July 1, 2009

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed unrestricted free agent center Samuel Pahlsson to a three-year contract worth $2.65 million per season.

Pahlsson split last season between Anaheim and Chicago. His new contract includes a limited no-trade clause.

The Blue Jackets have also signed unrestricted free agent goalie Mathieu Garon to a two-year, $2.4 million contract.

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Pahlsson, a Stanley Cup winner in Anaheim, was a promising addition to the Hawks in March, but after two excellent playoff rounds, he suffered an upper body injury that hampered his play against Detroit. But with the security of his new deal, Slammin Sammy figures to be part of Hitch's plans in progressive puck prevention.

Similarly, feisty veteran Matty Garon, fresh off his work as Marky Flower's backup in PinguLand, provides reliable relief for Stevie WonderMason.

Now if the CBJs can just sign Captain Nash to a long term lease...

From Jackets columnist Aaron Portzline, the latest on the Rick Nash talks:

No Deal Tonight
Aaron Portzline, The Columbus Dispatch, July 3, 2009

Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and Rick Nash's agent, Joe Resnick, have called off talks for the rest of the evening, but will no doubt reconvene early on Friday.

A source has told The Dispatch that the two sides "are not that far apart at all." Hard to say, though, how difficult that ground will be to cover.

Word is that two contracts have been discussed -- a seven-year deal that would pay between $8 million and $9 million per season, and a 10-year deal that would pay between $7.5 million and $8.5 million. Looks like a no-movement clause is part of the package, too.

None of the key figures -- Howson, Nash or Resnick -- were available for comment tonight.

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline