The selling Columbus Blue Jackets?

As the Trade Deadline looms nearer with every passing hour, the Columbus Blue Jackets, currently sitting 5 points out of a playoff spot, with 2 more games played than the current no.8 seed, the Calgary Flames, sure seem like sellers.

Even though TSN employee Darren Dreger keeps hinting that the Blue Jackets might be a player for Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richard, it seems more obvious that the Blue Jackets will sell more than buy.

The Blue Jackets have valuable assets to sell in forwards Sergei Fedorov, David Vyborny and Michael Peca and in defenseman Adam Foote.

Fedorov and Foote are quite comparable: aging veterans with valuable playoff experience and on the decline but still able to get the job done.

Peca is quite similar to Fedorov and Foote, but his injury history is a big concern.

As for Vyborny, he is a younger option but his lack of playoff experience, as well as his downfall hurt his value. Some could compare him to our Michael Ryder. Vyborny has numerous assets such a his very good vision and his playmaking abilities and has shown in the past that he can be a top 6 forward. This could indicate that a change of scenery might be all that is needed for him to regain success, but skepticism is still present.

Columbus has numerous assets to sell and a loss on Saturday against the Canadiens, combined with a Calgary win against Detroit tonight, might mean the beginning of a big firesale.

Central Division Trade Profiles, Candidates

Central Division: Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis

The central division is divided in two clans: the playoff teams (Detroit, Nashville) and the non-playoff teams (Chicago, Columbus, St. Louis).

The Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues are, all at this moment, out of the playoff picture. To add to that, all of them seem to not be ready to contend, and therefore aren't necessarily considered as buyers at this point in time. They also do not seem to be sellers, but they could become some soon.

Amongst the players these 3 teams could part with are forwards David Vyborny, Michael Peca, Sergei Fedorov and defensemen Adam Foote, Barret Jackman and Bryce Salvador.

Eventhough their current status, the Blackhawks have also been linked to Swedish center Peter Forsberg.

As for Nashville and Detroit, both are likely to be buyers.

Detroit, eventhough being ranked 1st in the league in points, feels they need to add a Top 6 forward. Mats Sundin is the most likely to fit the bill.

On Nashville's part, their goalie situation is a concern, due to Chris Mason's inconsistency and Dan Ellis' lack of experience, and, with no reliable goalies on the market, will have to do with what they've got.

This Western Conference division is filled with teams' which status' could vary as the Trade Deadline approaches. Wait right down to the wire, as these teams, except Detroit, could be in and out of the Playoff Picture in no time.

2007-08 New Jerseys -- Central

Chicago Blakchawks:

Columbus Blue Jackets:



Detroit Red Wings:


Nashville Predators:

St. Louis Blues (Unofficial):

7/5/07 UFA SIGNINGS

11:50 PM- Red Wings sign G Dominik Hasek:
1 year at US$2 million (Without Bonuses)

9:00 PM- Nickle1371 sends in the following:

Do you think Patrick Kaleta will be in the sabres line-up next season? also do you think the sabres will go after comrie or souray. (sorry if we do take souray from u, cuz we want it bad too lol.)"

Dear Nickle,

I do think that Patrick Kaleta has a chance of making the Sabres out of training camp, especially with the losses of Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Dainius Zubrus. He played 7 games for the Sabres, managing 2 assists and 21 penalty minutes. But nothing is certain.

I do also believe the Sabres went after New York Islander Mike Comrie, who could of filled their need of a speedy and gritty 2nd line center. Comrie signed with the Islanders a few moments ago.

As to going after Sheldon Souray, I am not so sure Darcy Regier was too kean on signing a defenceman for over US$5 million, with a lack of defensive ability. I also believe the Sabres lost a big part of their forwards this offseason, and did not need to sign defencemen, but needed to concentrate their money on forwards who could replace the ones who left via the UFA market.

I hope this helps,

I Want It!

8:34 PM- Islanders sign C Mike Comrie:
1 year

8:33 PM- Sabres sign G Jocelyn Thibault:
1 year

5:50 PM- Ducks sign D Shane Hnidy:
2 years

5:34 PM- Islanders sign F Bill Guerin:
2 year at US$9 million

4:20 PM- Canadiens sign D Jamie Rivers:
2 years

1:18 PM- Devils sign G Kevin Weekes:
2 years at US$1.375 million

11:33 AM- Columbus Blue Jackets sign D Jan Hejda:
1 year

New Jerseys Update

Over the last past week, a serious number of jerseys have either been unveiled or "leaked", here they are:

Boston Bruins (Officially Announced):

Carolina Hurricanes (Leaked by EASPORTS):

Columbus Blue Jackets (Officially Announced):

Dallas Stars (Leaked by Stars' Writer Mike Heyka):

Los Angeles Kings (Leaked over at HF Boards):

Washington Capitals (Officially Announced):

6 teams will "modernize" their Jerseys

According to Tarik El-Bashir, a Capitals beatwriter for the Washington Post:

"Six other teams -- Boston, Columbus, Ottawa, San Jose, Tampa Bay and Vancouver-- also will make changes to their uniforms as the NHL switches to a new form-fitting uniform designed by Reebok. The Capitals' overhaul is among the most extensive because both the logo and colors are completely different."

Here are the Jerseys I have leads on, note that they are all designed by RBK (view pictures at the end of the article):

1) Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks will be making a drastic change to their jerseys, even though the colours will "practically" remain the same.

Their logo, as well, will change, turning into a blue, green and white pilot inside a dark blue triangle.

Verdict: This was a perfect change for the Canucks, as they add a brand new and more coherent logo to their front. Very nice jersey!

2) Boston Bruins: This shouldn't be called a "change" due to the fact that the Bruins are only adding a white stripe to their vintage jersey.

Verdict: Even though only adding a single element to their jersey, the Bruins' new jerseys are quite nice and modern at the same time. Very good choice!

3) Columbus Blue Jackets: Columbus' new jersey is a blend between their alternate jersey last season and their regular ones.

Their new home jersey is exactly the same as last year's alternate, but with a new feel and texture, while their away one is the exact same pattern as their new home jersey, but in a different colour, white.

Verdict: Finally moving on from their inaugural jerseys, the Blue Jackets will wear much more appealing jerseys next season. Very good move!

Jerseys:

1) Vancouver Canucks
2) Boston Bruins

3) Columbus Blue Jackets

Note: Every new jersey will be adding the "NHL" Logo to their collar.