Columbus Blue Jackets’ GM Scott Howson making big moves including re-signing Jan Hejda –NHL Update
It has been hard times for Columbus Blue Jackets that ended the regular season in the lower ranks of the Western Conference and was not even close to making it to the playoff’s race. That is why the team’s general manager, Scott Howson, is making some decisions
and is extremely busy in improving his team before the new season starts.
For now, the top priority of the team is to re-sign veteran defenseman, Jan Hejda, who has been with Columbus Blue Jackets for four seasons, before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
"We've been pretty clear with Jan", Blue Jackets general manager, Scott Howson, said. "We've talked about some ideas. We're not close, but we'd like to get something done, if possible, by July 1”.
Columbus also has two other players who will become free agents by the first of next month when the free agency begins.
Centre player, Andrew Murray, and goalie, Mathieu Garon, are not likely to receive offers before the time expires but will be negotiated with during that time.
Howson is also said to be planning on buying out Mike Commodore in order to make place for another player which has not been decided as yet but the process of negotiating with other teams for a major trade is underway.
"This is a time where there's a lot of talking to other teams to see what needs are and to see if there might be a fit with your team and letting people know what you're interested in doing", Howson said on Wednesday. "It's quite a busy time in trying to
stay on top of all the things”.
Other than trading and re-signing player, Blue Jackets is also preparing for the upcoming 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft in which it has been eyeing a number of players.
It has the No.8 pick in the draft and is willing to negotiate if the right offer comes along, but otherwise it plans on using it to build up its own roster.
Columbus Blue Jackets has time to rebuild the team from the ground up, but it requires playing the right cards and Scott Howson has that on his mind at the moment.
Tags: