Bravs Hockey Blog

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBUS, Ohio — When the Columbus Blue Jackets arrived at practice on Monday, they had numbers skating around in their heads: five points out the last playoff spot, 18 games remaining, 24 hours left to the trade deadline.

“In some ways it’s a very exciting time and in other ways it’s very nerve-racking,” coach Ken Hitchcock said Monday. “I find the players at this time of the year, for the next 24 hours, they’re rather distant. It’s difficult to keep their focus right now.”

No wonder. There are rumours flying all over North America about trades, if not involving Columbus players then certainly about the teams surrounding them in the standings.

The Blue Jackets find themselves in the thick of the playoff race — they started the week 11th in the Western Conference, breathing down the necks of the eighth-place Nashville Predators — for the first time in franchise history. They’re also coming off one of the high-water marks in the team’s seven seasons, back-to-back wins on the road against Ottawa and Montreal, two of the bullies in the East.

The players have heard the speculation that Columbus is among a handful of teams trying to swing a deal to get Tampa Bay Lightning centre Brad Richards before the trade deadline at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The dreamers imagine what it would be like to put Richards on the same line with current Blue Jackets stars like Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev. Others wonder how the move might hurt a young team or how many of their teammates might end up going to the Lightning in the deal.

“There’s big names out there right now, and some big teams looking to make some moves,” Nash said. “It’s going to be an exciting time here.”

Anxious might be a better word than exciting when it comes to general manager Scott Howson.

“I keep telling everybody that I feel pretty fortunate that I’m not the one who has to make decisions around here,” forward Manny Malhotra said. “We are in the (playoff) hunt and we are playing some good hockey, so it’s a matter of, do they feel that we have what it takes or not?”

It’s no secret that the Blue Jackets — like nearly every other team — covet Richards, who is just 27 but in 2004 won a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP of the finals) in addition to a Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, the NHL’s “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct” award.

The question is, at what price? Are the Blue Jackets willing to surrender current No. 1 picks on the big club’s roster or in the minors for a superstar making US$8 million a year? The answer could set the team up for future championships, or could waylay the progress the team has made in this, its best season.

Hitchcock said after Monday’s practice that he didn’t think the Blue Jackets would make many changes. Reached late in the day, Howson said that wasn’t necessarily the case.

“I don’t have a strong feeling either way right now,” Howson said carefully. “There’s a lot of irons in the fire so we’ll see what happens.”

Some believe that the club’s recent quality play might lessen the chance for substantial turnover.

Again, Howson was noncommittal.

“That’s been a good sign for our team but that’s not going to change what our overall direction is,” he said.

Forward Jason Chimera just signed a four-year contract extension through 2011-2012. He said almost every player is nervous in the final few hours before the trade deadline.

“We’re trying to get a No. 1 centre, trying to get someone here to help Nasher,” he said. “But if me being thrown in a deal gets that done, that might happen. You never know. I think I’m pretty safe, but you never know.”

It’s the nature of being a pro athlete: hero today, gone tomorrow.

“We’re all waiting to see,” goaltender Pascal Leclaire said. “We’re comfortable with what we have here but if they decide to make some changes they’ll probably have a good reason to do so and we’ll adjust.”

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

A TSN story reported that the Stars submitted an offer for Tampa Bay forward Brad Richards, who might be available at Tuesday’s 2 p.m. trade deadline. But Stars co-general manager Les Jackson denied that an offer had been made.

“We’ve talked, for sure,” Jackson said. “We like the player, but we haven’t done anything.”

TSN’s story said that Tampa Bay brass reportedly told Richards that they have an interest in trading him. Richards has a no-movement clause in his contract, a five-year, $39 million deal signed in 2006. The no-movement clause means Richards cannot be traded, waived or assigned to a minor league team without his consent.

Richards, who has 18 goals and 39 assists this season, will earn $7.8 million in each of the next three seasons. Other teams expressing interest in Richards, according to TSN, are Vancouver and Columbus.

Jackson said the Stars might consider other deals.

“If the right thing comes up, we’ll see,” he said. “Our team is doing good, and I think we have to respect what we have.”

Source: New York Post

The Rangers are expected to know by early afternoon whether Dan Boyle, their primary target moving into tomorrow’s trade deadline, will be available… Contrary to reports, the Rangers have no interest whatsoever in Toronto defenseman Bryan McCabe. The Blueshirts do have interest in renting St. Louis’ prospective free agent defenseman Barret Jackman, but the price in return is expected to be far too high for Sather’s liking.

Source: Newsday

Ruslan Fedotenko scored his sixth goal in nine games in yesterday’s 4-2 loss to the Devils, but he’s one of several Isles forwards who could be bait at Tuesday’s NHL trade deadline because he’s in the final year of his contract. The Islanders signed his linemate, Trent Hunter, to a five-year extension Friday night, but Fedotenko said his situation remains unresolved.

Asked if he has received a contract offer, Fedotenko said: “I have no information at all. I don’t have good news, bad news, nothing. I don’t have any information.”

Mike Comrie is in negotiations with the Islanders, but center Josef Vasicek, who has the same agent, said he hasn’t heard anything. Miroslav Satan, who has a no-trade clause, said he hasn’t been approached yet about waiving it.

Describing the deadline pressure, Fedotenko said: “It’s part of the business. We can’t control it. Management will do their job.”

Source: Toronto Sun

The trade talk is circling around Calgary LW Alex Tanguay again. It’s believed he has agreed to waive his no-trade clause to allow a deal to go through. The Habs have been aggressive in their pursuit of Tanguay all season, but Florida GM Jacques Martin has also been sniffing around ..

Source: Toronto Sun

While they’d likely offer C Pierre-Marc Bouchard and a prospect for Jokinen, the Wild could also offer an attractive package to get Sundin… Vancouver’s Dave Nonis could be among the most aggressive GMs. He’s trying to get scoring and made a pitch for UFA C Peter Forsberg. If the Canucks are going to take a run at Atlanta RW Marian Hossa, they’ll want a chance to negotiate a contract with him — which is why Tampa C Brad Richards or Jokinen might make more sense.

Source: Toronto Sun

The Anaheim Ducks are trying to make a splash before the trade deadline.

While the Ducks and Wings are waiting to see if Mats Sundin will agree to be dealt, sources say Anaheim GM Brian Burke has made a pitch to the Florida Panthers for Olli Jokinen and has also likely spoken with the Tampa Bay Lightning about Vaclav Prospal.

Burke has the assets to make a big trade. He doesn’t want the Sharks or Wings to get the upper hand, with the deadline set for Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST.

The Ducks have the Oilers’ No. 1 pick in this year’s draft and prospect Bobby Ryan to dangle.

Source: Boston Globe

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-3-inch Carter could be a nice fit for the Bruins, both for his size and touch, but they don’t have that Kaberle-like blue liner to offer in return… It’s that kind of package that gives Chiarelli some legit clout with Atlanta GM Don Waddell when talking a swap for Marian Hossa, but it’s too much to yield if Hossa, age 29, doesn’t first agree to a long-term deal (sign-and-trade agreement)… A couple of other top offensive performers rumored to be available: Alex Tanguay (Calgary) and Martin Havlat (Chicago).

Source: New York Post

The Post has learned that the Blueshirts have had dialogue with Edmonton aimed at obtaining talented AHL winger Rob Schremp, the 25th-overall selection in the 2004 Entry Draft.

Source: Palm Beach Post

The face of the Southeast Division could change significantly in the next few days. And with the division title still up for grabs among at least four teams, what happens between now and the trade deadline at 3 p.m. Tuesday could go a long way toward deciding it.

Florida’s Olli Jokinen, Atlanta’s Marian Hossa and Tampa Bay’s Dan Boyle are among the dozen or so biggest names rumored to be on the move. Hossa and Boyle will be unrestricted free agents this summer, meaning their teams will have nothing to show if they leave. Jokinen, with two years left at a fair market price ($5.25 million and $5.5 million), could be a difference-maker.

General managers don’t want to weaken their roster or send the wrong message to fans in the midst of a playoff race, so there’s a chance none will be moved. But here’s betting one, or more, winds up elsewhere.