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

[Roadman]

Probably a question a little premature, but if Horton is signed three of our top six "scoring wings" prefer the right side, Gaborik, Horton, Atkinson. Does anyone know if any of these can be effective on the left?

Just concerned about roster balance, not that it should matter in pursuing Horton, just asking.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I'd love to have Horton but his desire to play in a smaller market kind of concerns me. When he says he wants a quieter life, I respect that. I just hope he doesn't mean he wants less accountability. This Jackets team brings it and he would be expected to do the same. He'd be PAID to do the same.

I guess we are damned if we do or damned if we don't.

If someone wants to play in a city like Columbus, people think they are crazy for wanting to be here. If someone doesn't want to play here, they are an a-hole who doesn't respect us and is only chasing the fame of a huge market.

Columbus is something like the 15th largest media market in the country so it not he wants to hide and play in Bird Arena in Athens. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to enjoy megacity life in places like Boston, NYC, LA, Toronto, etc.

 

[DJA]

Spector says Horton wants 6 years/$36 mil.

http://spectorshockey.net/blog/nhl-morning-rumor-mill-july-4-2013/

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Spector says Horton wants 6 years/$36 mil.

http://spectorshockey.net/blog/nhl-morning-rumor-mill-july-4-2013/

No surprised since that salary is pretty much in line with where his last contract ended. However, it is a long time for someone who won't even be ready when training camp starts. I'm not overly concerned about his 2 previous concussions but signing someone for that type of cash when he currently needs surgery makes me leery.

 

[The Press Express]

Blue Jackets Free Agent Talk

Have you guys read anything hinting that the Jackets will make any moves in Free Agency, If not who are some potential guys you could see coming in?

 

[Kev22]

Read the Summer '13 Thread, it will have all the information you are looking for.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Have you guys read anything hinting that the Jackets will make any moves in Free Agency, If not who are some potential guys you could see coming in?

Jarmo said they will add scoring, not they want to, they will.

Nathan Horton visited Columbus yesterday and took in RW and Boom.

Other names linked to us Filpulla, Perron

 

[JacketsDavid]

The $6M doesn't seem too crazy (maybe a little high) but yes 6 years is concerning.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Sources told The Dispatch yesterday that the Jackets hosted Horton in Columbus all day, taking him on a tour of the city and Nationwide Arena, and that he was expected to watch Red, White & Boom last night. His agent, Paul Krepelka, confirmed the visit but didn’t want to comment further.

One source said Horton, who was third on the Bruins in goals this past season, would very much consider the Blue Jackets: “He wouldn’t have been there if he wasn’t serious.”

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com...ake-play-for-horton.html#sthash.3YFF5wrd.dpuf

 

[EspenK]

In an earlier post I was all in on Horton. After doing some reading on the Bruins thread I'm wavering. Common thread there was he floated thru the season but was clutch in the playoffs. Others mentioned injury prone which I can live with but a Lee Majors who floats reminds me too much of another. And 6 yrs is a long time.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

In an earlier post I was all in on Horton. After doing some reading on the Bruins thread I'm wavering. Common thread there was he floated thru the season but was clutch in the playoffs. Others mentioned injury prone which I can live with but a Lee Majors who floats reminds me too much of another. And 6 yrs is a long time.

Not saying B's fans are wrong, but they are also pretty stung with him leaving them and his reasons. So, they might just be saying things out of bitterness. From most accounts he's a hard working player.

 

[Finnpin]

Jarmo said they will add scoring, not they want to, they will.

Nathan Horton visited Columbus yesterday and took in RW and Boom.

Other names linked to us Filpulla, Perron

Is there any fact with Filppula or speculation?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Is there any fact with Filppula or speculation?

Speculation.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

I am intrigued by the Horton visit. As far as I can tell, he has no direct ties to Columbus, John Davidson or Jarmo. Playing in the East for his entire career, he couldn't have played games in Columbus more than 5-6 times. I understand he is looking for a less stressful situation, but Columbus would be one of several cities that would meet that qualification. So when he has about 2 days to look closer at his options, why spend an entire day in Columbus?

I find it very significant because it may signal that the NHL community at large suddenly sees Columbus as an attractive option. That has to be a reflection on how JD is viewed in combination with Bobrovsky and the run to the wire in 2013. Bottom line, even if the Jackets fall short on Horton, something has changed for the better in perception. And when you are trying to dig your way out of obscurity, that may be the most important first step.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 32s

Coveted players love this 2 day courting process. Many will make their decision tonight which will impact tomorrow's free agent frenzy

 

[Fro]

wonder if there's anyway we come out of this with both Horton and Stalberg...really add to scoring abililty...

 

[Nanabijou]

Very nervous about a 6-year contract offer. It probably won't get it done, but if we are anywhere near the 6 million, I hope it is only for 2 or 3 years.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Not saying B's fans are wrong, but they are also pretty stung with him leaving them and his reasons. So, they might just be saying things out of bitterness. From most accounts he's a hard working player.

Hasn't been since his last concussion, I agree with B's fans on that. There was thread on the Bruins board about this, many didn't want to re-sign him bc maybe it would wake Lucic if his F was gone and the term would be bad for a guy who doesn't put too much effort in reg. season. He was money at playoffs, but very likely won't be that player for most of the reg. season. 6 year term for PF, don't really like that either. Though, he doesn't play like PF most of the time.

And with this thing he wants to go to a smaller market.. where he wouldn't be held as accountable for lack of effort/results as in the big market..

 

[NotWendell]

wonder if there's anyway we come out of this with both Horton and Stalberg...really add to scoring abililty...

I also like Stalberg, with or without Horton.

 

[DJA]

I am intrigued by the Horton visit. As far as I can tell, he has no direct ties to Columbus, John Davidson or Jarmo. Playing in the East for his entire career, he couldn't have played games in Columbus more than 5-6 times. I understand he is looking for a less stressful situation, but Columbus would be one of several cities that would meet that qualification. So when he has about 2 days to look closer at his options, why spend an entire day in Columbus?

I find it very significant because it may signal that the NHL community at large suddenly sees Columbus as an attractive option. That has to be a reflection on how JD is viewed in combination with Bobrovsky and the run to the wire in 2013. Bottom line, even if the Jackets fall short on Horton, something has changed for the better in perception. And when you are trying to dig your way out of obscurity, that may be the most important first step.

As EDM alluded to earlier, I think Columbus will start to attract some more attention from FAs, since we've moved to the East. The travel is lighter, we're close to many major cities, an easy jump to Toronto (which easily connects to anywhere else in the world), and we offer a less stressful media/fan environment, while being run by great hockey minds in JD and JK. Plus ownership has shown a willingness to splash out to help the team win.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 2m

Big reason Horton wanted to visit Columbus is he's played only 4 games in Nationwide Arena during a 9-year career (FLA/BOS) in the East.

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 1m

When you travel as coach/player/media to other cities, often it's airport-hotel-rink-hotel-airport home. Can't fully embrace the city.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 2m

Player in play says..."the teams will want to have a pretty solid answer by late afternoon so they can make adjustments if need be." #TSN

 

[Socks]

I've decided I'm all in on Horton. If he wants to be here then I want him here. And I'd be cool with Stalberg, I'm just worried he'd accidentally start scoring on us given his history lol.

 

[KeithBWhittington]

Spector says Horton wants 6 years/$36 mil.

http://spectorshockey.net/blog/nhl-morning-rumor-mill-july-4-2013/

Him being the biggest fish, forward-wise, I'm sure he'll get it, or something very close, from someone.

 

[Stretch Factor]

I've decided I'm all in on Horton. If he wants to be here then I want him here. And I'd be cool with Stalberg, I'm just worried he'd accidentally start scoring on us given his history lol.

Haha! Well played sir.

 

[Stretch Factor]

I've read fans on the main forum suggesting Horton wants a smaller market because he wants less stress. I've also read fans suggesting his wife wants a warmer climate. This all sounds like Boston speculation to me.

Has anyone actually seen a quote from Horton suggesting anything like this?