He's an RFA, he's not going anywhere. If Howson had any thoughts of letting him go, Brad Richards would have finished the season in Columbus.
A lot can change in a few months, especially when your Captain bolts coupled with a poor FA market and a demanding and impatient Fanbase.
I would've said absolutely he's not going anywhere too back at the deadline, but I'm not putting a stamp on anything and nothing will surprise me this offseason.
Do I want him gone, no. Is there more of a chance he's gone, yes, I'm not ignoring that.
The only real things that are reasurring about this is that we still aren't quite sure what LeClaire is capable of yet, which may keep other teams from jumping in with both feet to try and sign him to an offer sheet. That, coupled with a lack of wide open goaltending jobs. Teams will always need a goalie, but no team is really in dire straights at the moment.
That said, there's probably a 90 percent chance he is still in Columbus by next season, down from maybe a 98 or 99 percent at the deadline.
What I find odd is Puck-Rakers reported Meehan said they just started, but didn't they start this negotiating a month ago? Get it friggin done already!!!!! I need good news.
Portzline wrote in his blog the other week that Howson is looking for a 2-3 year deal. I think we need Pazzy locked up for longer though. Maybe a 5 year deal? He is maybe the best player on our team and has a bright future in Columbus.
Portzline wrote in his blog the other week that Howson is looking for a 2-3 year deal. I think we need Pazzy locked up for longer though. Maybe a 5 year deal? He is maybe the best player on our team and has a bright future in Columbus.
Howson wants a short deal because in 2-3 years, he'll decide between Pazzy and Mason as our goalie.
Howson wants a short deal because in 2-3 years, he'll decide between Pazzy and Mason as our goalie.
Honestly, does it matter? I always took that as legit justification, but I think real question becomes, does Howson even trust Pazzy? If he does, give him a 4-5 year deal and be done with it. Because look at it this way, Mason will start his rookie contract next year. Even if he is ready for the NHL in two years, the worst case scenario(assuming Howson trusts Pazzy's ability), is we have to deal a #1 goalie locked up for 3 more years in a reasonable deal. Mason would still be on his rookie contract, so even if they spent 2 years splitting the load, we're not worrying about money issues. On a 4 year deal, at that point we could deal Pazzy with 1 year remaining. Adding an extra year could also make that final season cheaper for a team to pick up, too.
I understand the flexibility, and leverage, Howson gains with a 2 or even 3 year deal, but if we really feel Pazzy is our #1 goaltender and want to lock him up, it's certainly not going to hurt anything. If Howson has serious questions about his future, then maybe he's not the best option anyway.
For god's sake, Howson, will you make one friggin decision and get him signed for 4-5 years. Then, I know you do not understand this word,but if you want to get rid of him you can "trade" him. Ask another GM what it means.
Honestly, does it matter? I always took that as legit justification, but I think real question becomes, does Howson even trust Pazzy? If he does, give him a 4-5 year deal and be done with it. Because look at it this way, Mason will start his rookie contract next year. Even if he is ready for the NHL in two years, the worst case scenario(assuming Howson trusts Pazzy's ability), is we have to deal a #1 goalie locked up for 3 more years in a reasonable deal. Mason would still be on his rookie contract, so even if they spent 2 years splitting the load, we're not worrying about money issues. On a 4 year deal, at that point we could deal Pazzy with 1 year remaining. Adding an extra year could also make that final season cheaper for a team to pick up, too.
I understand the flexibility, and leverage, Howson gains with a 2 or even 3 year deal, but if we really feel Pazzy is our #1 goaltender and want to lock him up, it's certainly not going to hurt anything. If Howson has serious questions about his future, then maybe he's not the best option anyway.
What happens if we give him 5 years at 4 mil a year and he gets seriously injured in year 1 or 2???? He still hasn't proved his durability so I wouldn't give him that many years.
What happens if we give him 5 years at 4 mil a year and he gets seriously injured in year 1 or 2???? He still hasn't proved his durability so I wouldn't give him that many years.
That's what I mean by, I'm not sure how much Howson trusts(or wants to rely on) him. If that's the case, I'd almost rather we deal him sooner rather than later, assuming his value is fairly high. If Howson is literally afraid to give him a longer term deal, then he needs to have the guts to make a bold move.
The catch is that we really need to see something from Mason on a pro level before we start thinking about Leclaire playing anywhere other than Columbus.
A year from now, the picture may be a little clearer about Pazzy's future.
The catch is that we really need to see something from Mason on a pro level before we start thinking about Leclaire playing anywhere other than Columbus.
A year from now, the picture may be a little clearer about Pazzy's future.
I'm starting to believe that if the concerns about Pazzy's future are that serious, maybe we should just grab someone like Huet.
Then again, if Pazzy holds off till after July 1 and gets an offer of 5.25 million from another team, the Jackets would be getting 2 first round picks, 1 2nd round pick, and 1 third round pick in return.....
Portzline wrote in his blog the other week that Howson is looking for a 2-3 year deal. I think we need Pazzy locked up for longer though. Maybe a 5 year deal? He is maybe the best player on our team and has a bright future in Columbus.
LeClaire is really valuable but you have to ask yourself if he can hold up in the long run. Last year was probably his best year health-wise and he still missed significant time with injuries. My guess is Howson is less about giving Mason a job than not wanting to keep paying a guy who can't play.
I hope they'll get something done soon though. If LeClaire can stay healthy and play like he did last year a long term deal would be a bargain.
LeClaire is really valuable but you have to ask yourself if he can hold up in the long run. Last yearwas probably his best year health-wise and he still missed significant time with injuries. My guess is Howson is less about giving Mason a job than not wanting to keep paying a guy who can't play.
I hope they'll get something done soon though. If LeClaire can stay healthy and play like he did last year a long term deal would be a bargain.
03-Apr-08Missed 9 games (head injury).17-Mar-08Head injury, day-to-day.10-Feb-08Missed 2 games (neck injury).06-Feb-08Neck injury, day-to-day.11-Jan-08Missed 1 game (viral infection).08-Jan-08Viral infection, day-to-day.03-Dec-07Missed 2 games (hamstring).28-Nov-07Hamstring, day-to-day.
I dont see any "significant" time he missed that would reflect his durability last season of those injuries the only one that I would say might be cause of his personal condition is the hamstring in november. Even so he only missed 14 games to injuries/illness
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I am going back to what got us here .. PASCAL FTW .. LETS GO JACKETS !!!!!!
Young goalies of Leclaire's caliber are hard to find in this league. No reason to trade him. I'd be fine with a 5 year deal with $5-6 million per year.
Young goalies of Leclaire's caliber are hard to find in this league. No reason to trade him. I'd be fine with a 5 year deal with $5-6 million per year.
Neither Howson nor Hitch seemed to be quite that enamored of Leclaire, though. Howson "loves" Mason and Hitch ... well, Hitch's concerns about Leclaire seem not only to be about "durability" but also emotional maturity. At the World Championships Hitch talked about not choosing Pazzy to play in final in part because Pazzy still has a tendency to play erratically when pressured and has had trouble shaking off bad goals when he lets them in. I can't remember the exact words Hitch used ... but the inference was Leclaire still has a tendency to play scared/ panic which leads him to be often out of position.
Last edited by Pluckfur: 06-27-2008 at 12:09 AM.
Reason: grammar, what little I display anyhoo.
Neither Howson nor Hitch seemed to be quite that enamored of Leclaire, though. Howson "loves" Mason and Hitch ... well, Hitch's concerns about Leclaire seem not only to be about "durability" but also emotional maturity. At the World Championships Hitch talked about not choosing Pazzy to play in final in part because Pazzy still has a tendency to play erratically when pressured and has had trouble shaking off bad goals when he lets them in. I can't remember the exact words Hitch used ... but the inference was Leclaire still has a tendency to play scared/ panic which leads him to be often out of position.
Really? Hmm, interesting. I never heard Hitch say that. I always figured Hitch chose Ward because he had won a Cup and therefore had more experience in high pressure situations. This I did hear Hitch say.
Really? Hmm, interesting. I never heard Hitch say that. I always figured Hitch chose Ward because he had won a Cup and therefore had more experience in high pressure situations. This I did hear Hitch say.
Well, if I were inspired I could maybe go back and look it at the press releases out of the Worlds. I recall statements that Hitch made specifically about Leclaire's game ... not in reference to anyone else's game. Although, it's possible that Hitch was discussing the strength's and weaknesses of both the goalies he had at his disposal.
Well, if I were inspired I could maybe go back and look it at the press releases out of the Worlds. I recall statements that Hitch made specifically about Leclaire's game ... not in reference to anyone else's game. Although, it's possible that Hitch was discussing the strength's and weaknesses of both the goalies he had at his disposal.
Yeah, that's possible. I don't blame Hitch for going with Ward, I was more surprised Hitch called out Leclaire. That's pre-CBJ Hitch. He's toned down a bit since coming here. I'd like to see him call out guys for slacking more than he does.
Yeah, that's possible. I don't blame Hitch for going with Ward, I was more surprised Hitch called out Leclaire. That's pre-CBJ Hitch. He's toned down a bit since coming here. I'd like to see him call out guys for slacking more than he does.
I'm getting a little antsy ... at this point I'd just like Hitch to HAVE more guys to call out Spread the wealth, so to speak.
Sign Leclaire so we can call him out. Sounds like a plan to me ...
For god's sake, Howson, will you make one friggin decision and get him signed for 4-5 years. Then, I know you do not understand this word,but if you want to get rid of him you can "trade" him. Ask another GM what it means.
You seem like a very nice shoot first, ask questions later kind of guy.... or maybe you like to make decisions based on a gut feel and worry about the consequences later. What's the rush? He's not going anywhere and there are more pressing issues to handle.
I think the patience that Howson is showing by not jumping the gun just for insecure, cynical fans is admirable. There are times to gun it and times to coast carefully.
This contract will get done, and will be a non-issue very soon.
