Or they can trade him to Ottawa for Vermette and this board will go crazy.
By the way, we no longer have the cap space lead. Congrats to the LA Kings, who I'm sure plan to make some big moves on July 1 (as they did last year) in their attempt to rebuild (again). Not many defensemen signed either. Makes you wonder if they might be going after guys like Rozsival and Redden.
LA with $30 million plus in cap space. NYR with $20 million. The Penguins suddenly with $26 million if they don't re-sign Hossa. Philly is really the only team at the moment on the sidelines. Suddenly July 1 doesn't look very good.
Well, Howson needs to look at everything thats gone on in the last 48 hours and realize that if he doesn't have anything solid with a few guys by July 4, that we're going to be trying to play catchup with some Mid to Late July depth pickups.
With these teams freeing up cap space, this is truly disappointing. Thats the one thing we had to find solace in at the beginning of the offseason, we had a lot more available scratch then a great majority of the team did.
Sure looks like Jagr is available. At this point this might be the type of bold move Howson has to consider to save face.
Nash-Umberger-Modin
Zherdev-Straka-Jagr
By the way, I happened to look and, wouldn't you know, Straka played more games and had better goals/points totals than Brendan Morrison. Old man Jagr's points totals were still significantly better than Ryan Malone.
Sure looks like Jagr is available. At this point this might be the type of bold move Howson has to consider to save face.
Nash-Umberger-Modin
Zherdev-Straka-Jagr
By the way, I happened to look and, wouldn't you know, Straka played more games and had better goals/points totals than Brendan Morrison. Old man Jagr's points totals were still significantly better than Ryan Malone.
Straka is playing back with his Czech league team, he's likely done in the NHL. Jagr's agent has said he wants to be back in New York... I don't think Jagr woulkd even consider Columbus, I don't think he'd even consider any team in the Western Conference.
What is SH waiting for with the RJ contract? You're starting to see teams lock up their players and what have we accomplished in the last 5 days, other then get played by Malone....nada
Straka is playing back with his Czech league team, he's likely done in the NHL. Jagr's agent has said he wants to be back in New York... I don't think Jagr woulkd even consider Columbus, I don't think he'd even consider any team in the Western Conference.
Actually, Straka has not committed to the Czech league...
Quote:
Martin Straka's agent has denied a report by a team in his hometown of Plsen in the Czech Republic that the veteran has struck a deal to play there. Agent Rich Winter said Straka has "an aggressive offer" and will entertain other offers after July 1.
If we're going after broken down little boys like Joni Pitkanen, we should at least pick up the phone to talk to Marty and Jagr.
Speaking broken toys I do get nervous thinking about a team with Morrison, Pitkanen and Leclaire all on the ice together, we could lose a significant part of the team on one unlucky night. Playablity is an issue in signing guys....
As for Jagr, it would be hoot to see him to donn the Bug...oh ya, we got rid of that thing. I think Jagr has the Jackets on his no call list, in fact, I'm 99% sure of it.
I don't think Jagr even knows who Scott Howson is.
Who really did until last summer. I can't remember one mention of his name in all the "new GM" threads two years ago. That said, I don't think Jagr even knows which state Columbus is in.
Howson has said that we will not be outbid by anyone for players that we really want. So my question is: Have we not really wanted any of these players who have signed or been traded in the last few days? Or did he mean that on the open UFA market, on an even playing field, we will outbid anyone?
Don't you think that the agents of the players has anything to do with this? Look at it this way, why would Pazzy sign with us now, when he may get an offer sheet that would just be so much more than what anyone of us would expect? I think that the same holds true for many of these players, in that they aren't signing because they are looking for maximum dollars, no matter who gives it to them. I don't think it is Howson's fault, it is just how the game is being played today. RJ and Pazzy probably haven't signed because their agents beleive that by waiting more $$$ will come their way.
Who really did until last summer. I can't remember one mention of his name in all the "new GM" threads two years ago. That said, I don't think Jagr even knows which state Columbus is in.
All we need to tell him is, its 3 hours from his house in Pittsburgh and the dump truck full of cash will be stopping by later today.
Not to mention a short trip for gambling in West Virginia or Indiana.
To get Jagr here would be epic, but would also require a deal of epic proportions, I would guess. I could go either way.
Offer him an incentive-laden deal where all he has to do to collect the big money is make the playoffs. Win-win.
Thinking about it more, I'd go one step further. I'd offer Sather a conditional pick for negotiation rights ASAP--say a fourth rounder since (1) time is short and (2) we have one to spare now. We convince Jagr to sign, he gets the pick. We fail, at least it looks like Howson is alive.
Last edited by CapnCornelius: 06-30-2008 at 10:33 AM.
I doubt he'd play there, but its something to note--Atlanta will be willing to spend the money and they are going to be competing for some of the same guys as us given their needs.
Howson has said that we will not be outbid by anyone for players that we really want. So my question is: Have we not really wanted any of these players who have signed or been traded in the last few days? Or did he mean that on the open UFA market, on an even playing field, we will outbid anyone?
Being outbid is one thing. Being outmaneuvered is another. He never said that wouldn't happen.
The Blue Jackets have the most money to spend... To See Columbus' Cap Situation and Roster Needs Click Here.
and the also are the only team in the NHL that has never been to the post season. I am hearing the Blue Jackets are closing in on Neg Rights to Brendan Morrison, and have serious interest in Rozsival and perhaps Bertuzzi. Another possibility is Paul Mara (who is a UFA D-man that has flown under the radar until this morning..I have heard his name mentioned with NJ as well today.
Would you be happy with Morrison, Bertuzzi, Roszival, and Mara?
would be Jagr's response to "Mr Howson on line 1"
