Speculation: Summer '13 Thread (All Proposals, Speculation, Blog Rumors in here)

[InjuredChoker]

“We’re going to add a scoring forward, one way or the other,” Kekalainen said. “We have some good plans and a great opportunity ahead of us.”

“The top guys, you’re going to try to have them visit,” Kekalainen said. “You won’t fly the whole list in, but if we have interest in a player and they have interest in us, we’ll do what we need to do. We’re going to go after the No. 1 guy on our list, and if he doesn’t want to come, we’ll scratch him off and go to the next.” Kekalainen said the Blue Jackets would like to add size to their cast of forwards, but not size alone. “If you ask anybody, they’d take a 6-5 guy who scores 30 goals over a 5-8 guy who scores 30 goals,” Kekalainen said. “But me personally, I prefer the small guys who play with big heart to the big guys who are less passionate.”

“When you trade, you’re talking about giving up some kind of a commodity, maybe a player off your roster,” Kekalainen said. “The benefit of free agency is you just get the player. But we’ll go about this however we have to. There are lots of options.”The Jackets had talks last week with St. Louis regarding forward David Perron, but nothing has happened yet. They also spoke with Boston about young center Taylor Seguin, but it’s unclear whether the Bruins are really serious about trading him. If so, the Jackets would get in line with several other clubs. The other option is a familiar name: Vinny Prospal, the Blue Jackets’ leading forward the past two seasons, becomes a free agent on Friday. Prospal has stated numerous times, lately with a tinge of frustration, that he wants to return to the Blue Jackets and finish his career in Columbus. But management has put him on hold, hoping free agency or the trade market can bear fruit.

- See more at: http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com...-free-agent-options.html#sthash.1lFVZlEt.dpuf

Per Portzline.

 

[pete goegan]

Maybe, however looking at the FA list there is a good reason to think the CBJ would push hard for him and it has little to do with his or our GM's nationality. He should be in the 2nd tier behind Horton.

Not endorsing the deal, just saying if we can't make a trade today we'll could very well look at FA and that's one of only a tiny handful of players that come close to addressing our needs.

If it was me, I might look at Mason Raymond.

I agree with Filppula and Raymond, though perhaps not in that order, plus Ryder. I like Vinny, but I'm not sure there will be room. His contributions have been significant, but he may not fit with the long term plans for the team; or, at least, not on the ice. If he is back as a player, I'd prefer that it be that he's wanted, not that he's merely available.

 

[Fro]

ahhhh that's the problem....

They also spoke with Boston about young center Taylor Seguin

we weren't after TYLER Seguin...

 

[blahblah]

I agree with Filppula and Raymond, though perhaps not in that order, plus Ryder. I like Vinny, but I'm not sure there will be room. His contributions have been significant, but he may not fit with the long term plans for the team; or, at least, not on the ice. If he is back as a player, I'd prefer that it be that he's wanted, not that he's merely available.

Ryder, you get into that expensive longer team deal that takes a player over 35. They didn't go after VL, so there could be reason to believe that they wouldn't go after Ryder. Never been a Ryder fan, but if you want scoring he's probably on of the best guys left on this list not over 35.

 

[Fro]

score one for Porty

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 58s
RT @mtoggel: @Aportzline any interest in Hemsky in CBJ? What would a return look like? / GM Jarmo Kekalainen has replaced Scott Howson.

 

[Fro]

lolololol

 

[ernmorris]

I'll wager a guess as to who we will end up with.

I suspect that Clarkson will command a heavy pay day and I'm guessing that he won't end up here. I wouldn't be shocked if we made a hard run at Stalberg and we signed him, but my money is on Filppula. He is a Fin, played with Jokerit during the lockout and will come cheaper than Clarkson and maybe even Stalberg. I just think that since there is an existing relationship there that Filppula will be the guy.

I personally would like to see us nab Clarkson, but I just don't see us meeting his asking price. Someone is going to give him an insane contract since he is one of the better forwards available in a fairly light market.

 

[Xoggz22]

I would be on board with Filpula, however, I don's see it so much as because he's Finnish as opposed to his potential skill set. Filpula's problem has historically been consistency. He plays a well rounded game but only flashes high end skill rather than sustainable skill. Last year was a poor year but he's 29 and certainly could help improve this team.

I also like Raymond as someone else mentioned. I'm not big on Clarkson like some of you are. I think he'll never live up to the contract he's going to land. I don't expect him to be a 20+ goal scorer going forward. Great complimentary player but not someone I pay $5MM for. Just my opinion though....

 

[InjuredChoker]

I'll wager a guess as to who we will end up with.

I suspect that Clarkson will command a heavy pay day and I'm guessing that he won't end up here. I wouldn't be shocked if we made a hard run at Stalberg and we signed him, but my money is on Filppula. He is a Fin, played with Jokerit during the lockout and will come cheaper than Clarkson and maybe even Stalberg. I just think that since there is an existing relationship there that Filppula will be the guy.

I personally would like to see us nab Clarkson, but I just don't see us meeting his asking price. Someone is going to give him an insane contract since he is one of the better forwards available in a fairly light market.

I would be shocked if Flip signs for less than Stalberg. Reportedly Flip wants 5+ mil long-term. May even get that from someone.

I like him but not that much.

 

[Viqsi]

My problem with Filppula is that Detroit isn't keeping him 'cause he's demanding insane megabucks (upwards of $5m/year or more). I do not want to be the team that gives him that.

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

We don't need a center and we don't need mediocre players.

I say we trade for Vanek.

 

[Kev22]

I have to think that GMJK is after an upgrade to Prospal. Are Clarkson, Filppula and Stalberg really upgrades to Vinny? I think lateral, that's why I think they've got their eye on someone else. Nathan Horton? I just don't know.

 

[Kev22]

We don't need a center and we don't need mediocre players.

I say we trade for Vanek.

I've liked this idea, but I think the only way to make it happen would be to convince Buffalo to take Umberger. If GMJK could swing that, he might be able to re-sign Vinny as well.

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

I've liked this idea, but I think the only way to make it happen would be to convince Buffalo to take Umberger. If GMJK could swing that, he might be able to re-sign Vinny as well.

Or Tyutin

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

I have to think that GMJK is after an upgrade to Prospal. Are Clarkson, Filppula and Stalberg really upgrades to Vinny? I think lateral, that's why I think they've got their eye on someone else. Nathan Horton? I just don't know.

Other great thing about Vinny is its a 1 year deal. Why give flipula 5 years when johansen and jenner will be better than him very soon

 

[Mayor Bee]

I have to think that GMJK is after an upgrade to Prospal. Are Clarkson, Filppula and Stalberg really upgrades to Vinny? I think lateral, that's why I think they've got their eye on someone else. Nathan Horton? I just don't know.

I don't think any of them is better than Prospal, even considering the development curve of those three compared to the decline of Prospal.

And with the amount of cash that those three are likely to command, I don't see the point. Filppula, who will be 30 partway into next season, has topped 20 goals once and 40 points once in his career. And that's while getting 16-18 minutes a night, on the freakin' Red Wings. Hell, I'd rather have Antoine Vermette back; he'd be better and cheaper.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

We don't need a center and we don't need mediocre players.

I say we trade for Vanek.

So, giving up a 1st + Murray + is cool with you?

Not trying to be an ass, just a question.

 

[Fro]

i say settle for Stalberg and Vinny ($3m and 2m) and be done with it...

 

[Kev22]

Any chance they might be after Damien Brunner?

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

So, giving up a 1st + Murray + is cool with you?

Not trying to be an ass, just a question.

Did I mention ryan murray? Trading murray is not cool with me.

I'd give up a 1st + kerby or another 1st round prospect, plus a roster player but not murray. Could also give them dansk. I think a trade could be done w out including murray.

 

[Viqsi]

Or Tyutin

Sounds great! We can cripple our cap AND our blueline simultaneously!

Seriously, hon. We get it. You don't like Tyutin. In that you are in a minority whose constituents currently total ONE (1). Kindly understand this, accept this, and move the **** on already.

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

Sounds great! We can cripple our cap AND our blueline simultaneously!

Seriously, hon. We get it. You don't like Tyutin. In that you are in a minority whose constituents currently total ONE (1). Kindly understand this, accept this, and move the **** on already.

Trading for Vanek wouldn't cripple our cap if we sent back a contract in the deal, hon.

Jarmo said we could add 4-5 million for a scoring forward. Which is what we'd be doing if we traded for vanek and sent back a decent sized contract. Sigh.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Did I mention ryan murray? Trading murray is not cool with me.

I'd give up a 1st + kerby or another 1st round prospect, plus a roster player but not murray. Could also give them dansk. I think a trade could be done w out including murray.

They would likely want Murray, or Jenner + Kerby. IMO, a forward step this year, backward in the future

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

They would likely want Murray, or Jenner + Kerby. IMO, a forward step this year, backward in the future

Yeah obviously when you have trade talks teams always ask for the others best prospects then usually negotiate down from there. I think we have enough young talent that we can afford to lose a prospect without it causing a step back in the future.

 

[EspenK]

Any chance they might be after Damien Brunner?

he's intriguing to me in that he could (being the operative word) score 20 +. Wings fans seem to want to re-sign him so that's one in his favor. I don't know if he fits the 2 way role very well. My guess is no.

I like Ryder for 3 yrs if we could get him at a reasonable price. Again unlikely imo.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see.