Columbus Blue Jackets Fans Should Avoid Riding the Sergei Bobrovsky Roller Coaster

Jun 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie

poses with the Vezina Trophy during the first intermission of game two of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

This is just some friendly advice for Columbus Blue Jacket fans: Try to avoid the thrill ride known as the Sergei Bobrovsky roller coaster.

As everyone knows, Bobrovsky is a restricted free agent. Of course, this should mean that most of the drama around the Columbus netminder should wait until July 5 when NHL teams can make offer sheets to restricted free agents.

However, because Bobvrosky is Russian, it opens up the possibility of the Vezina Trophy winner to return to his homeland to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). It’s a process that continues to cause angst and worry among the Blue Jackets’ rabid fan base.

With each day brings a new tweet or a new story about the KHL and the mountains of rubles awaiting the Russian in his homeland.

The latest bit of “journalism” was shot down by Yahoo! writer and TSN contributor Dmitry Chesnokov in this simple yet effect tweet:

In the link, KHL president Alexander Medvedev has reportedly offered him a contract. Medvedev, also a director at SKA St. Petersburg, reportedly offered Bobrovsky $10 million a year.

Notice there are no quotes from anybody associated with Bobrovsky in the article Chesnokov linked. Like he said: pure PR without substance.

The KHL could offer anyone a contract. They could offer Sidney Crosby a $20 million a year contract if they so desired. It doesn’t mean it is ever going to get signed.

Apr 27, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie

(72) salutes the fans after the game with the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated Nashville 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

This is why Columbus fans need not wait in line for this thrill ride. Most of what is made public in contract negotiations is posturing and propaganda. Rest assured Columbus is doing everything it can to bring Bobrovsky back as long as it makes sense for the organization long-term.

Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen stated as much in a Tuesday press conference at Nationwide Arena.

“Nobody wants to lose the Vezina winner,” Kekalainen said as reported by bluejackets.com. “We’re working hard to get him back, we’re optimistic we can get him back. We’ve had some good conversations with his agent.“I’m very optimistic about Sergei Bobrovsky wanting to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets.”

[BlueJackets.NHL.com]

So just hop off the roller coaster. All you are going to get is motion sickness.