Blue Jackets Trade Rumors

Flashes of Filatov
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October 7
Columbus Dispatch
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"First-round pick Nikita Filatov was the first star of Sunday's win in Toronto, scoring the first goal of the game and ending it with his shootout score. Still, all signs indicate he's headed to minor-league Syracuse by 3 p.m. Wednesday, when the Blue Jackets' roster must be final. "It's really unfortunate that he missed so much time," Hitchcock said. "Not only the time in camp (because of a hairline fracture in a leg) but not being able to get over here (to North America) from Russia quicker this summer to get acclimated. "I feel a little bit for him. He's trying to absorb a lot more than most guys.""
No deal yet for Sudbury
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October 6
Columbus Dispatch
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"As of yesterday, the Sudbury Wolves, the junior team which holds the rights to forward Nikita Filatov, had not secured a release from the Russian Hockey Federation. It means Filatov, the franchise's top pick in June, probably would start the season with minor-league Syracuse, assuming he doesn't make the Jackets. The Canadian Hockey League, which oversees the three junior leagues, does not want to run afoul in its relationship with the International Ice Hockey Federation by waiving the need for the Russia's authorization, sources have said."
Filatov has hairline leg fracture, sources say
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September 14
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets prospect Nikita Filatov has a hairline fracture in a fibula, multiple sources told The Dispatch yesterday. The Blue Jackets would not confirm the report. "We're not commenting, even to say yes or no," assistant general manager Chris MacFarland said. "We'll stick with what we said on Friday, that it's a 10- to 14-day injury, and then he should be ready to go." It's believed that Filatov was injured last month while playing an exhibition game with his former club in Russia. He played three games for CSKA-2 before the Blue Jackets found out and asked him to stop. The injury, which was revealed in a physical Friday in Columbus, is almost healed, sources said. If it were the ..."
Time for talking all but over
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July 30
Ottawa Citizen
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"Vermette's name has also been mentioned in a number of trade rumours, including swaps with Toronto (for Pavel Kubina), Vancouver (Ryan Kesler or Sami Salo), Chicago, Columbus and Florida. Most of them make no sense at all, because they don't consider the crucial element: Murray's need to squeeze under the salary cap."
Filatov's contract valid
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July 16
Columbus Dispatch
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"The NHL's central registry office approved the entry-level contract that center Nikita Filatov signed with the Blue Jackets. "It's another step in the right direction," Howson said. "The next step is his visa, and then we try to get him to North America as fast as we can. "I don't know if the visa is going to take three weeks or seven weeks, but it will get done." Filatov's original contract, signed Thursday, was rejected by the NHL because of language in the "schedule A bonuses" section that the league wanted clarified."
Filatov update
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July 15
Columbus Dispatch
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"The NHL yesterday rejected the contract Nikita Filatov signed late last week with the Blue Jackets because of wording in the "schedule A bonuses" portion of Filatov's entry-level deal, but the wording was amended, the contract was re-signed by Filatov and sent back to the NHL. The Blue Jackets expect the contract to be approved today, general manager Scott Howson said. The rejection, Howson said, had nothing to do with Russian claims that Filatov's rights are still owned by his former club, CSKA Moscow, or the claims of the new Russian Continental Hockey League that the Blue Jackets owe CSKA a $1.5 million transfer fee for Filatov's rights."
Blue Jackets sign No. 1 pick
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July 10
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Forward Nikita Filatov, the Blue Jackets' No. 1 draft pick last month, has signed a three-year, entry level contract, The Dispatch has learned. An announcement is expected later today. The deal, which includes a base salary of $875,000 per the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, is expected to be announced later this morning. Filatov, 18, also is eligible to earn up to $750,000 per season in bonuses."
Peca says he'll be back on a one-year contract
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July 9
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Michael Peca was hoping to sign a two-year contract with the Blue Jackets. Instead, the 34-year-old center settled for a one-year deal and a chance to prove he's back to his old ways. Peca and the club have agreed to a one-year, $1.315 million contract, The Dispatch has learned. All that remains before the deal is official, Peca said, "is to finalize a couple of minor details.""
Hitchcock signs contract extension with Blue Jackets
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July 9
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets have signed coach Ken Hitchcock to a three-year extension that will keep him under contract with the club through the 2011-12 season, The Dispatch has learned. The signing will be announced at a news conference at 12:30 p.m. today in Nationwide Arena."
Peca Deal To Be Announced Soon
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July 8
Columbus Dispatch
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"The Umberger contract might be just the first bit of action this week. Free-agent center Michael Peca has agreed to terms on a two-year contract, The Dispatch has learned. A deal could be announced as early as today. Also, Howson had an afternoon phone chat with agent Don Meehan, who represents Peca as well as two other players currently on the Blue Jackets' front burner -- restricted free agent goaltender Pascal Leclaire and 18-year-old center/left winger Nikita Filatov, the Jackets' No. 6 overall pick in June."
Peca might be swayed to return
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July 4
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets might not be done with free agency yet. Center Michael Peca, who played for the Jackets last season, is negotiating contract terms with the club, The Dispatch has learned. General manager Scott Howson would not comment on the report yesterday, but Peca said by phone from Buffalo, N.Y., that he hopes to return. "I'd like at least a two-year deal," Peca said. "I'd like to grow and be a part of something, not just a short-term piece." The Blue Jackets, NHL sources say, want Peca back to help fortify a weak spot on the roster and to help young captain Rick Nash."
Eyes are on pair of Sens
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July 3
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators are bracing for a raid on restricted free agents Antoine Vermette and Andrej Meszaros. League sources told Sun Media yesterday the Canucks, Thrashers and Blue Jackets are so desperate to make a splash on the free-agent market, they're all looking at making offers for the highly touted winger and defenceman. The Senators would have the right to match any offer sheet to keep Vermette and Meszaros."
Jackets Still Working
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July 2
Columbus Dispatch
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"Howson said the Blue Jackets are talking trade with a handful of teams, presumably for a puck-moving defenseman. The Blue Jackets are also expected to make a play for 32-year-old center Brendan Morrison."
Coyotes targeting defensemen in free agency
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July 1
East Valley Tribune
 
"There are a few high-end defensemen on the market such as Brian Campbell and Wade Redden, but Phoenix's salary structure dictates signing mid-level guys such as Ron Hainsey or Andrej Meszaros. Both made under $1 million last season. They figure to receive substantial raises, but could still work for Phoenix even if their salaries tripled. If the Coyotes want to spend a little more, physical, stay-at-home defenseman Brooks Orpik would seem to be a good fit."
Jackets eager to upgrade talent
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July 1
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson didn't expect to sleep well last night. Club president Mike Priest predicted he'll spend much of today "pacing the halls, sort of like an expectant father." When NHL free agency opens at noon, the Blue Jackets are expected to be one of the league's most active clubs, armed with $12 million to $15 million and hoping to add three or four players. One of those players will be Ottawa defenseman Wade Redden, a two-time All-Star. An NHL source confirmed to The Dispatch last night that the Blue Jackets are expected to make a significant offer for the 31-year-old, an 11-year veteran...Among the other players the Jackets might consider: Michael ..."
Columbus expected to make play for Mo, Tuesday
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June 29
Vancouver Province
 
"The Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to make a play Tuesday for unrestricted free agent centre Brendan Morrison, The Province has learned. Although they acquired R.J. Umberger at the NHL entry draft, the Blue Jackets see Morrison as a better playmaking fit to work with hulking winger Rick Nash and also balance out their top two lines. That projection, coupled with the Vancouver Canucks not offering term or money in an extension, means the Pitt Meadows native will likely end his Canuck career with 393 points in 543 games -- unless there's a change in franchise focus."
NHL Free-agent shopping list
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June 29
Montreal Gazette
 
"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."
GM denies Russian team still has rights to top pick
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June 29
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson yesterday disputed a report on the International Ice Hockey Federation's Web site that forward Nikita Filatov, the Jackets' No. 1 pick in last weekend's draft, still has one year remaining on his contract with a Russian club. "That is not our understanding," Howson said, declining to comment further. The IIHF report, written by the federation's communications director Szymon Szemberg, was posted Friday. According to the article, officials from Russia's new professional league, the Continental Hockey League, believe Filatov has one year remaining on his contract with CSKA Moscow, also known as Central Army."
Jackets' checkbook open for free agents
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June 29
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets desperately need a power-play quarterback, so look for them to make attempts to sign Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles, Montreal's Mark Streit or the New York Rangers' Michal Rozsival. San Jose's Brian Campbell, the top available "offensive" defenseman, could be a target, too, but he might be the most sought-after player this summer, and it's unlikely the Blue Jackets -- loads of money or not -- would be Campbell's choice. The Blue Jackets also want a big, nasty, shut-down defenseman who will make them harder to play against. Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik and Ottawa's Mike Commodore would fit the bill. Now to the other end of the ice...Look for ..."
Malone would be perfect fit for Jackets
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June 23
Columbus Dispatch
 columnist Michael Arace
"Shopping season has arrived. The Blue Jackets will take one Ryan Malone, please. General manager Scott Howson said he will add three or four players to the roster this summer. In hockey terms, summer gets under way with the start of the free-agent signing season July 1. It is not exactly a coincidence that July 1 is also a national holiday up here, known as Canada Day. Howson has at least $12 million to spend on unrestricted free agents (and more to tend to the Jackets' restricted free agents, such as Pascal Leclaire and R.J. Umberger). There also might be a trade or two somewhere deep in the summer, as teams try to lighten their salary-cap number and/or fortify one position or ..."
Next up: preparing for free agency
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June 23
Columbus Dispatch
 
"Eight days from today, the Blue Jackets will be back on the clock. Now that the draft is over, the next major event on the NHL calendar is the start of free agency July 1. Between now and then, the Blue Jackets will get their house in order on many levels. Trading for center R.J. Umberger of the Philadelphia Flyers and drafting winger Nikita Filatov sixth overall will change the Blue Jackets' look next season and in the future. Filatov might not be ready for the NHL next season, so he could spend a season in junior hockey or the minor leagues, but Umberger is an immediate upgrade. "With Umberger, we significantly upgraded a spot that was a big weakness on our club," general ..." <