After signing UFA RW Nathan Horton to a seven-year, $37.1MM deal on the opening day of free agency and re-signing RFA's Matt Calvert, Cam Atkinson, Sergei Bobrovsky and Artem Anisimov it appears there is no room under the salary cap or even on the roster for veteran F Vinny Prospal. As it stands, the Jackets just a hair more than $2MM in cap space with 23 players (14 F, 7 D and 2 G) under contract. Other than perhaps adding a veteran backstop to compete for the understudy role with Curtis McIlhenny behind Bob, it doesn't look as if the Jackets have a spot available for this season's leading scorer.
At this point, GM Jarmo Kekalainen won't close the door on bringing back Prospal but judging by his comments it doesn't sound like re-signing the versatile scoring F is a priority.
“Are we going to extend him an offer? We’re not sure we want to do that yet,” Kekalainen said. “We want to give him the proper respect if we do — and he may not even want to do it. We always like to keep our options open, but I’d say right now we’ll stand pat unless we make an offer to Vinny.”
With Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Johansen slated to fill the top three center slots there's no need for another pivot. RJ Umberger, Matt Calvert, Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno give the Jackets four solid options on the port side. And with the newly acquired Horton joining trade deadline acquisition Marian Gaborik on the starboard side there just doesn't seem to be an obvious role for Vinny anywhere.
The 38 year-old Prospal, fresh off a 30-point campaign, should still be able to find work if he wants it. Plenty of teams will be looking for an experienced scorer for cheap later in the summer. Coincidentally, it was that set of circumstances that led Prospal to Columbus in the first place.
I have to admit, I will miss Vinny. He brought the type of enthusiasm for the game that I enjoy seeing in players. From all accounts he's a great teammate and still capable of contributing in this league so chances are good I'll have the opportunity to see him somewhere in the NHL this year.
Jackets Add Depth, Sign Jack Skille
Columbus also reached an agreement with UFA F Jack Skille on a two-way contract. Skille, the Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick in 2005 (seventh overall) hasn't lived up to expectations and is going to have to earn a job in Columbus. At the very least he provides the club with a solid scorer in Springfield and an option to step up in the event injuries hit the Jackets forward unit next year.
Skille has scored 63 goals in 189 AHL games, mostly as a member of the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago's AHL affiliate. He's known as a good skater and hard-worker who forechecks. Those traits should make him a good fit for the Columbus organization who built their identity this season with those characteristics.
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