In case you haven't heard yet, Jackets GM Scott Howson missed out on Leafs' puck moving dman Tomas Kaberle.
The catch?
Well so did the 28 other GMs in the league.
I'm not gonna fault Howson on this one because it is crystal clear Burke over played his hand on Kaberle and his expectations for a return were completely unrealistic. Not one GM was willing to pay his asking price.
Kaberle is a guy we could have used but you just cannot give up a young top 6 forward or high draft pick for a guy who will probably leave in a year. If reports are true, Burke did not even allow teams to discuss a contract extension with him.
I thought for sure Kaberle was a goner. Maybe not to the CBJ but to some NHL team.
I personally don't get why Burke didn't move him to the highest bidder by the time the clock struck midnight - especially with the way he's had a "for sale" sign tatooed to him this summer. If you wanted him then why put your player through that? Now Kaberle's no trade clause has kicked back in and he has the ultimate say as to when and where he'll move. One would think that will tie Burke's hands on what he can get, if anything, as the season unfolds.
Enough about him though and let's get back to the CBJ. The bright side is unlike what was reported when Phaneuf was on the block, Howson did pick up the phone on Kaberle and made a pitch.
More importantly is if what Tom Reed of the Dispatch reports is true - the Jackets were not offering one of their roster players which means ownership was prepared to take on Kaberle's 4.75 million dollar salary hit.
While I'd love to believe that and would stand up in my cube and give ownership a standing ovation if that came to fruition -- not sure I'm buying that completely.
1. Kaberle's addition would give them 8 dmen on the blueline. Something would have to give there. Perhaps Howson had another deal lined up to dump on to another team or perhaps he would send one back to the Leafs?
2. I give ownership credit for spending over 50 mil already on the current roster - would they really greenlight an additional 4.25 mil with season ticket sales being where they are?
3. Since a deal didn't go down what benefit would there be towards alienating one of your roster players but saying publicly they were on the block? The smart play is to say no roster players were involved.
I'm skeptical but would have been thrilled if that is how this went down.
So now what?
Well the prevailing thought is that Howson will continue to pursue help for the blueline.
Here are a few names that have churned the loudest of late in the rumor mill:
KEVIN BIEKSA
Breakdown: The obvious alternative is to target Kevin Bieksa of the Canucks. Bieksa doesn't bring the offensive acumen that Kaberle would bring but he did put up 43 points two seasons ago, has a big shot from the point and is a gritty physical presence (averaged 5 fights the last 4 seasons) on the blueline. The drawbacks are he's been injury prone of late and can take bad penalties. Bieksa has 1 year left on his deal at 3.5 before becoming a UFA.
Cost: Vancouver is said to be interested in adding some affordable depth and grit to their bottom six forward positions. They want to shed salary as, according to cap-geek.com, they are 2.5mil+ over the cap. They would make them interested in draft picks/prospects.
Trade scenarios: The Jackets won't give up a lot for him due to only having 1 year left on his deal but I definitely think there is interest.
Can't see them parting with Boll or Dorsett and it's very unlikely Vancouver would be interested in Moreau/Clark/Pahlsson/Murray. Mike Blunden could be another name that pops up in conversation.
Assuming ownership is willing to pick up his price tag -- Jackets send Tom Sestito and a 3rd round pick to Vancouver for Kevin Bieksa.
SHELDON SOURAY
Breakdown: The Oil are still trying to unload Sheldon Souray which doesn't take a epidemiologist (scientist who studies the spread of disease - who knew?!!) to figure out. Souray has an absolute rocket from the point that would certainly help our PP (he's scored 23+ goals in 2 of the past 4 years). He can also be a physical and mean SOB and has some leadership qualities (oh so important in the Howson era). However he can be a liability on defense and those damn injuries (average only 48 games the past 3 seasons). He is 34 and is signed for two more years at a whopping 5.5 mil per.
Cost: Edmonton would be thrilled to just move this guy's salary off their books which again doesn't take a geneticis (scientist who studies how traits are inherited..... but you knew that already right?) to figure out since they put him on waivers.
Trade scenarios: Let's be honest - this guy has worn an Edmonton Oilers sweater so I'd be foolish to completely rule him out. Howson has proven time (Tarnstrom), time (Torres) and time (Moreau) again that he isn't afraid to go back to what he's familiar with. That said the only way I can see a deal for Souray would be something like:
Mike Commodore for Sheldon Souray
or
Jackets claim Sheldon Souray on re-entry waivers (ie half the price).
Both unlikely.
ROBYN REGEHR
Breakdown: Calgary is another team over the cap by 2+ mil and is looking to shed salary. Regehr is a 30 year old rugged shutdown dman who can log a lot of minutes. Not much offense in his game as he's averaged just 17.7 points the past 4 seasons. Health hasn't been an issue however as he's only missed 12 games over those 4 seasons. He is signed for the next 3 seasons at 4 mil per - ouch!
Cost: Since Calgary would be looking to cut salary one would think they would want to take as less back as possible. So low cost NHLers and draft picks/prospects would be the asking price.
Trade scenarios: I don't think the Jackets have much interest here. The one thing the Jackets have on their defense is a lot of "Regehr" type dmen. Hejda, Commodore, Methot and Klesla all fit this mold. What they need are puck moving dmen who can put up points and make a difference on the PP.
Certainly the Jackets would move a Commodore for him but Calgary says no. If they wanted a solid defending dman they would just keep Regehr.
Don't see a fit.
X-MAN
They key is to watch the teams that are close to or over the cap. I've noted both Vancouver and Calgary above but teams like Chicago, Boston, New York Rangers, Philly, Detroit (puke) and Ottawa are all over or close to the cap. Then we have New Jersey and if this Kovalchuk situation ever gets worked out they will be close as well.
The most likely scenario will be that Howson lands a guy that is on nobodies radar - think a Stralman type move from last season. Unfortunately that will lead to yet another offseason where the major holes on this roster (top dman and center) continue to go unfilled. The hope will be yet again that someone on the current roster can step up and fill them.
Is this finally the year a Russell or Brassard can do it? That is a roll of the dice I wouldn't risk if I were in Howson's or this franchise's situation but I'm not Howson or this franchise.
Howson's motto is low risk high reward. Mine is hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Here's to hoping.
-LTL
