Honestly I didn't think the Jackets would have much interest in Huselius at first but after reading reports from the Dispatch he was definitely on their radar and after Z was dealt he became a huge priority. The Jackets are said to have beat out Minny for his services -- finally we catch a break!!
Sportsnet.ca on Huselius:
Assets
Has tremendous vision and playmaking ability. Is incredibly shifty and often makes opponents miss with their bodychecks. Possesses plenty of scoring prowess.
Flaws
Lanky frame, needs to keep his intensity level on high, in order to become an all-star performer in the NHL. Must take shots so as to keep defenders honest.
Career potential
Top six winger.
Huselius has his flaws as he's known as being a very streaky scorer and he's not the most physical guy but he has nowhere near the baggage of Zherdev.
He scored 66 points last year, 77 the year before and 47 before it. This guy brings skill to the lineup and a lot more consistancy and a different kind of competitiveness.
Man has Howson overhauled this team or what? I'm pretty damn excited.
Once again Howson nabs a guys in his 20s... Huselius is 29 and will be 32 once this deal expires.
The only downer is we still don't have that center as Morrison seems to have passed on C-bus.....but Howson took what the market gave him....and you never know as this team now finds itself with a stock pile of defensemen -- there could always be a trade down the road.
For now though I think Howson will sit back and take a break. He's added 3 top 6 forwards.. and 3 d-men while jetising players who no longer fit in the big picture.
I'll have a full run-down on today's moves in a bit.
Great day to be a Jacket fan!!
Update: The Blue Jackets get their man. Per Puck-rakers the Blue Jackets have signed Kristan Huselius to a 4 year 19 mil dollar contract.
more to come
Update: Get ready for some more good news!
Update: Notes from Howson interview:
Howson interview highlights:
- One of our goals was to upgrade the backline. Think they accomplishes that with the addition of Tyutin/Backman/Commodore. Need to work on forwards now.
- Howson says they have a forward position or two that needs to be filled. Work into tonight to tomorrow to make that happen. They would like to have one of those holes filled tonight.
- Transformed the defense. All championships teams are built from the back out. Needed to upgrade puck movement. Mentioned Russell in his second year and Tollefsen having a physical year.
- Trying to address forwards via free agency but opened to any avenue
- How difficult was it to trade Z? Said anytime you get a Tyutin you have to give up something. Redden and Rozsival made him expendable.
- Said deal just came up today for Tyutin. He wasn't available until today after Redden. Talked to Glen Sather this morning and went back and forth with proposals until they settled on this one.
- With big and mobile defense taken care of what is next - a #1 center? Said they are looking for a top 6 forward not neccessarily a center (what?). Mentioned Umberger/Brassard/Murray as centers. Sounds like Morrison may not be an option any longer.
Update: Well that was certainly a barn burner hey fans?
I know at first reaction a lot of people are saying what the hell - we traded our 2nd leading scorer?
Lets set the table here.
Zherdev is/was not in this team's long term plans. You have to remember that when evaluating this deal. If there is any doubt about that he was it was answered this afternoon.
He has been rumored to be on the move looong before today. The biggiest knock on him was his inconsistancy. He was a dis-connected player that did not fit the mold that this team moving towards. He razzled he dazzled but when the game got tough he dissapeared most nights. The Jackets loved his talent - hated his competitiveness. He was never going to be re-signed after his contract expired next season and he certainly did not have the value that many think he did.
Sure he turned it around and had a much better season last year - at least the first 3/4ths of it until he packed it in. Heck, this time last year Z wouldn't have returned a 2nd round pick.
The Jackets are moving in a new direction. They know the kind of team they want to build and Z isn't a part of that.
Right now was the time to move him given his contract and given his season. There is no doubt in my mind.
I'm not sure everyone realizes the kind of player we got back for him. Make no mistake about it Fedor Tyutin is the return on this deal. Tyutin is a 24 year old 6'3" 210lb mobile defensemen.
Sportsnet.ca:
Assets
Features an impressive all-around arsenal. Has an ideal body for the defense position and excellent hockey sense.
Flaws
Could stand to add more muscle to his 6-2 frame. Needs to work on his play without the puck and adjust to the speed of the pro game.
Career potential
Top four defenseman.
This guy is signed for 4 years at an average of 2.84 million. He's got 3 pro years under his bealt scoring 20, 14 & 25. This dude is only going to get better and better. He instantly improves our backend.
Tyutin fits the mold of the kind of players the Jackets have acquired. Young competitive players in their 20s who are only going to get better and grow with the Nashes, Leclaires, Kleslas, Brassards, Voraceks, Russells, Umbergers, Torres, Filatovs of this team.
Don't think for a second that Howson isn't going to address the hole left by Z. They are burning up the phone lines now looking to address those holes.
I really like this deal as I've liked Tyutin for quite a while. It makes sense as long as we fill the vacant holes on offense because as much as I won't miss Z he did score 60+ points for us last year on a team that couldn't score goals. That production needs addressed.
I'll have much more on this trade later tonight with some analysis on Backman (i.e salary dump) and the departure of Fritsche (i.e. hard worker that no longer fit on team).
Next up notes from Howson interview on 1460 just a few minutes ago.
Update: Just annoucned on Puck-rakers - Zherdev and Fritsche traded to Rangers for Tyutin and Backman.
Update: Ron Hainsey to Atlanta for 5 years 22.5 million. Nice knowin ya Ron. Atlanta was a team that was also desperate for a puck mover.
Update: Rumor has it that big CBJ trade about to go down. Stay tuned.
Update: *crickets*
Real quite out there now. Only bit of news I've read is that Sundin won't make any kind of decision this week on his future, Malkin signed his 5 year extension and Jarko Ruutu signed with the Sens for 3 years 3.9 mil contract.
Update: Sean Avery is off to Dallas. They signed him to a 4 year deal worth 3.87 mil per season. We'll get to see more of Avery this season. Yipppee... :(
My next question -- is everyone signing in the West this season or is it just me?
Update: Something to think about. Morrison is still hanging out there. Sundin was offered 2 years 20 million by the Canucks. Sundin was also rumored to go to Detroit. Now that Hossa is there that takes them out of the equation. If Sundin goes to Vancouver Morrison is most certainly gone (heck he could be gone anyways) --- that could improve our chances of landing him.
Update: More bad news. Joni Pitkanen just signed with the Hurricanes for 3 years at 4 mil per. Today is going from bad to worse. Man we missed out bad on him.
Give me some good news Scotty!!
Update: Any thoughts out there on this Hossa deal? My initial thought is that Zetterberg will need re-signed after next season. Detroit sells Hossa on best chance to win a cup but can't commit to more than a year due to Zetterberg. Hossa takes chance on 1 year to win cup and then banks on cap increasing and getting an even bigger payday next season...and perhaps he didn't like his options in terms of markets offering him the biggest bucks and term?
Pretty thin I know. I don't see how you turn down a multi year deal at the millions I'm sure were thrown Hossa's way.
Friggan Wings.. uggh!
Update: The rich continue to get richer. The Detroit Red Wings have just signed Marian Hossa to a 1 year 7.4 million dollar deal.
One year? There is definitely an angle both Detroit and Hossa are playing here.
Curtis Glencross has also signed with the Calgary Flames for 3 years for 3.2 million total.
More to come.
-LTL
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