The Morning Skate: 6/26/13
By Mark Huss
The Morning Skate was designed to keep you updated with what has been happening in the world of hockey, and more importantly, news about the Blue Jackets. Since I started as editor I realized that I have been writing solely about the playoffs and most recently the Stanley Cup Final. Well since those are both over, the Morning Skate will be more focused on the Columbus Blue Jackets, and making sure you are up-to-date on all things CBJ.
Mar 31, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets players swarm Columbus Blue Jackets center
Mark Letestu(10) after his game-winning goal in overtime against the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena. Columbus won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
ProHockeyTalk, via an Aaron Portzline tweet, reports that there will be no buyouts for any of the Columbus Blue Jackets players. This topic, along with others, has been overshadowed by news stories about the ongoing negotiations, or lack there off, with Sergei Bobrovsky. I am not surprised that there will be no buyouts for the Blue Jackets, we don’t have any extremely outrageous contracts that went sour like other NHL teams. [ProHockeyTalk]
Speaking of the ongoing negotiations with Bobrovsky, Kekalainen had this to say about the situation with the Russian goaltender…
"Obviously it’s a big piece of the puzzle and he’s a great player, a great goaltender, and we want to have him back and we’re working hard to get him back and we’re optimistic that we’re going to have him back and signed into a contract and that’s a work in progressHe won the Vezina trophy last year, had success in the NHL and was a big part of our success. I’m hoping that he wants to continue on that path and grow with our team."
Other contract news regarding the Blue Jackets, also being overshadowed by the Bobrovsky talks, a deal with Artem Anisimov seems to be in the works. Here are Kekalainen’s comments on contract talks with Anisimov…
"We’re pretty close with Anisimov, and again, we’re optimistic that we’ll get a deal done sooner rather than later"
Jan. 20, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center
Artem Anisimov(42) carries the puck as Phoenix Coyotes defenseman
Keith Yandle(3) defends during the second period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Now that the Cup has been hoisted, all eyes turn towards the draft. Blue Jackets fans seem to be pretty excited about the three first round draft picks, and all the options that could exist. Draft three top prospects, trade away for an instant line-up boost, trade for a lower pick, the options are limitless. It all depends on what is on the table for Kekalianen.
"I think it’s the trades and especially the draft is more in our control where we can aim at drafting the players that we like, that we think can bring us that scoring in the future. With a trade, you always need two to tango.We tried a lot of different things to try to move up. When other teams know that there are good players and they do their homework, it is not easy to move up."
Apr 23, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie
Ilya Bryzgalov(30) sits on the bench against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Charging Through The Headlines:
- The NHL Dream Draft is almost at its end. Check out the best pick at #6 overall.
- Miikka Kiprusoff will be retiring from the NHL and the Flames organization, according to FlameForThought.com.
- Ilya Bryzgalov will be bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers. TooManyMenOnTheSite.com has more.
- Sabres fans are still haunted by the Brett Hull goal (or no goal I should say) from the ’99 Stanley Cup Final. SabreNoise.com takes a look back in time at the controversial goal. Must sting a little bit to have your former coach become their new coach as well. Ouch!