Leadership, Ohio Roots the Focus of Columbus Free Agent Frenzy
By: Tito Crawford
While bidding wars on sought after players were taking place, GM Adam Burke was in constant communication with head coach Ken Hitchcock to infuse some much needed leadership into the roster. The end result was what Burke termed, "The AARP Line", and a lot of experienced depth that will help one of the younger rosters in the league.
"We had a need and we used free agency to fill it at a low cost. We took advantage of some of the new league bylaws and clauses to get some players that we think can help our hockey club in a lot of ways. There are some guys that will be sneaky good options on special teams and also some players that we feel like can have more of an impact in a leadership role."
Some of the free agent signings will be locked into position battles, but that's all by design. "We want our young players to see what it's like to come out and give a full effort every day in training camp and in the preseason games. We'll be careful not to give these veterans too much responsibility at the outset, but we expect them to lead by example. We'll be honest and upfront with young and old during camp. The veterans have the inside track. Why? Because they've done things at the NHL level. They've earned it. That means a lot to us."
The "veterans" that Burke is referring to are Saku Koivu, Milan Hejduk, Matt Cullen, Daymond Langkow, and Arron Asham. Koivu spent last season back in Finland and participated in the World Championships for Finland, where he had three assists in three games. Hejduk returned to his native land and played in the Czech League before the World Championships rolled around. He had a goal and an assist in three games. Cullen was a salary cap casualty and spent last season without a team. He last played for Montreal during the 2013-14 season. Daymond Langkow, a former Blue Jacket, was the most expensive signing at 1.25M, which basically guarantees that he will make the team, since the team would be charged a buyout if he were to be released. Asham, another former Jacket, has the smallest chance of making the team and may go to Lake Erie to protect recent draft picks.
"We feel like Koivu, Hejduk, and Langkow will all make the team and we'll keep Cullen around as an extra guy. That's the plan right now and we've told the players exactly what we expect and what our plans are. If they don't like our plans, then tough (expletive). You want a change of plans? Force us to make one. That Koivu/Langkow/Hejduk line could be our 'AARP Line'. There's some veteran experience, good leadership, and consistency there. We won't ask a lot of them, but being around the club will help."
For the first time this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets are affiliated with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. This isn't the first pro/minor league affiliation between the two cities. The Cleveland Indians and Columbus Clippers are affiliated in baseball, with the Clippers playing their home games at Huntington Park, a short walk from Nationwide Arena. With some minor league free agent losses, Burke turned to the team's local roots to fill some spots on the farm.
"I grew up in Cleveland, so I have an affinity for guys that came through there. We cornered the market on what we could. We got the Fritsche brothers, from Parma, and Kirtland native Peter Harrold. I like this in-state connection we have with our affiliate and why not let these guys play in front of friends and family every night?"
The Blue Jackets also added Kyle Brodziak, Blake Comeau, and Brad Marchand. Those players will hang around in training camp before getting sent to Cleveland.
One growing problem area for the Blue Jackets is a logjam on defense. Some in the organization are torn as to whether or not Mirco Mueller is ready for the NHL game, but the Blue Jackets are sitting with nine NHL-ready defensemen right now. Brandon Gormley, Dylan McIlrath, John Moore, and Daniel Krejci are unlikely to be moved. That leaves Kendall McFaull, Zbynek Michalek, Cody Corbett, Derrick Pouliot, and Mirco Mueller for two spots. On one hand, it's a good problem to have. On another hand, how will it be sorted out?
"Well, we're constantly evaluating the trade market. Zibby is the easiest guy to move because he has a one-year deal. We're looking into a lot of avenues with him. K-Mac is a really consistent defenseman and somebody will be eager to acquire that type of player. Honestly, we will explore trade possibilities for Johnny Moore. He's worth a first-round pick and a quality prospect in our eyes and we'd hate to see him go, but there are some guys internally that can fill an offensive role."
Less than a month remains until preseason games begin.
Blue Jackets Look for Leaders in Free Agency
Moderator: SharksGM
- Virtual Jarmo
- Posts: 8716
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:43 pm
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Contact:
Blue Jackets Look for Leaders in Free Agency
Post by Virtual Jarmo »
Adam Burke
Former Commissioner, Current Jackets GM and Owner of Eastside's Hockey Elite Collide
Former Commissioner, Current Jackets GM and Owner of Eastside's Hockey Elite Collide
Jump to
- About EHEC and EHM
- ↳ About EHEC and EHM
- Current Season
- ↳ 2023-2024 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ 2023-24 EHEC Playoffs
- Rulebook & Memos
- ↳ Rulebook
- ↳ League Memos
- ↳ Financials
- Transactions
- ↳ Free Agency
- ↳ Completed Free Agent Contracts
- ↳ Trades
- ↳ Accepted Trades
- ↳ Rejected Trades
- ↳ Waiver Wire
- ↳ Contract Offers
- ↳ Staff
- EHEC General Forums
- ↳ The Chopping Block
- ↳ Team News
- ↳ GM Memos and General Chatter
- ↳ The Sports Bar
- EHEC Past Seasons
- ↳ Drafts
- ↳ 2018 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2017 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2016 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2015 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2014 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2013 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2012 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2011 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2010 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2019 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2020 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2021 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2022 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ 2023 EHEC Entry Draft
- ↳ Regular Seasons
- ↳ 2009-2010 EHEC Inaugural Season
- ↳ Preseason Results
- ↳ 2010-2011 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Preseason Results
- ↳ 2011-2012 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Preseason
- ↳ 2012-2013 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Preseason
- ↳ 2013-2014 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Preseason
- ↳ 2014-15 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Preseason
- ↳ 2015-16 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Preseason
- ↳ 2016-17 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Preseason
- ↳ 2017-2018 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ 2017-2018 EHEC Preseason
- ↳ 2018-2019 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ 2019-2020 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ 2020-2021 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ 2021-2022 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ 2022-2023 EHEC Regular Season
- ↳ Playoffs
- ↳ 2009-2010 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2010-2011 EHEC Calder Cup Playoffs
- ↳ 2010-2011 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2011-2012 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2011-2012 Calder Cup Playoffs
- ↳ 2012-2013 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2012-13 Calder Cup Playoffs
- ↳ 2013-2014 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2013-14 Calder Cup Playoffs
- ↳ 2014-15 EHEC Stanley Cup Playoffs
- ↳ 2014-15 EHEC Calder Cup Playoffs
- ↳ 2015-16 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2016-17 Playoffs
- ↳ 2017-18 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2018-19 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2019-20 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2020-21 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2021-22 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ 2022-23 EHEC Playoffs
- ↳ EHEC Awards
- ↳ International Competitions
- ↳ 2009-2010 World Junior Championships
- ↳ 2010 World Championships
- ↳ 2010 Olympic Winter Games
- ↳ 2011 World Championships
- ↳ 2010-2011 World Junior Championships
- ↳ 2011-2012 World Junior Hockey Championships
- ↳ 2012 World Championships
- ↳ 2014 World Junior Hockey Championships
- ↳ 2014 Winter Olympics
- ↳ 2014 World Championships