Eric Smith: Removing Interim Tag on Richards, Reveals Much More What this decision means is many other things. It definitely means that Scott Howson will remain the General Manager of the organization for the foreseeable future. The ownership group led by John P. McConnell have also decided to stay the course with Howson and thus let him shape the on ice aspect of the team this summer which could have lasting impact for years to come.

Good update on situation.


Do you think a Nash deal will be shaped around the inclusion of a starting goalie? Is there any buzz around a goalie who the Jackets might target or covet?

Good update on situation.


Do you think a Nash deal will be shaped around the inclusion of a starting goalie? Is there any buzz around a goalie who the Jackets might target or covet?
- spatso

I sure think that would be the plan. Nash's list of teams has a lot to do with what the can do but you can bet Mr. Schneider from the Canucks would be a prime target.

I sure think that would be the plan. Nash's list of teams has a lot to do with what the can do but you can bet Mr. Schneider from the Canucks would be a prime target.
- Jackets Attack

I was actually wondering about that specific case. Interesting from a Vancouver perspective. They might be able to do several variations on a deal that could be highly attractive to all parties.

Not many teams have the flexibility that you see with the Canucks. But, is it too late to role back the probable move of Luongo. Luongo's contract is probably better than Nash's deal. But Luongo says he wants to play for an immediate contender. Is a three way possible.

the only thing 'revealed' is that not only does Howson blow at the draft table, make brutal trades, but he is also inept at finding a good coach.

I was actually wondering about that specific case. Interesting from a Vancouver perspective. They might be able to do several variations on a deal that could be highly attractive to all parties.

Not many teams have the flexibility that you see with the Canucks. But, is it too late to role back the probable move of Luongo. Luongo's contract is probably better than Nash's deal. But Luongo says he wants to play for an immediate contender. Is a three way possible.
- spatso

I don't see the Canucks having considerable flexibility given their cap situation. If CBJ is looking for a goalie from Van it would be Schneider while the Canucks almost have to move Luongo. If Van could somehow move Schneider they'd also have to shed salary.

CBJ would gladly take Edler but Van would most likely need to shed even more salary. Schneider, Booth, and Edler for Nash and a player not named Johansen or Moore would be too lopsided in CBJ's favour (+ it's not a fantasy league trade). However, it would take this kind of salary dump for Van given the number of signings they'll need to make.

Eric,

What would it take for the Sabres to move up to the 2 spot in a deal Columbus?

Are you hearing any rumblings about CBJ moving out of that spot?

the only thing 'revealed' is that not only does Howson blow at the draft table, make brutal trades, but he is also inept at finding a good coach.
- Barx

Brutal trades???

Not so sure, one thing Howson can do is make a deal , sure we can always bring up how Jeff Carter was a fiasco and we gave up Voracek and Couturier.

I give him credit for trading Leclair for Vermette, Zherdev for Tyutin (the guys uin the khl and no one wants him), getting some sort of return for Phaulsson , Russel for Nikitin and of course getting JJ and first for Carter .

But I must agree at the draft table he's attrocious, just like Mclean, I guess the pathern is pretty clear.

Brutal trades. Vermette for nothing. Klesla for nothing. Chimera for a bag of pucks. Let Malhotra walk and overpay Pahlsson for almost 3 years. Overpay Commodore and have to buy him out. Still owning bad contracts on Brassard, Tyutin, Methot, Mason and probably Umberger. One of the worst evaluators of talent I have ever seen, who would not have a significant position with any other team in the league. Until he is gone this team has little chance of getting anywhere-and the coach is virtually irrelevant.

Brutal trades. Vermette for nothing. Klesla for nothing. Chimera for a bag of pucks. Let Malhotra walk and overpay Pahlsson for almost 3 years. Overpay Commodore and have to buy him out. Still owning bad contracts on Brassard, Tyutin, Methot, Mason and probably Umberger. One of the worst evaluators of talent I have ever seen, who would not have a significant position with any other team in the league. Until he is gone this team has little chance of getting anywhere-and the coach is virtually irrelevant.
- Eric 1

What did you expected in return for Vermette, he had one of his worst seasons and he was signed for 3 more years and managed to pull a second rounder, not what I call tempting ,Klesla was going nowhere and mind you we received Upshall and Lepisto in return as for Malhotra you seem to forget that he was essential in are only cup run and then asked for 10 million on a five year basis , no gm would sign him at that price.

I don't want to bore everyone with details here-but Malhotra signed with Vancouver for 7.5 mil for 3 years-certainly in the neighborhood of what he was asking for in Columbus, and exactly what Howson paid Pahlsson, who was a total stiff. We gave away Klesla and Vermette because they had bad contracts, and had to beg Phoenix (or anyone else) to take them for nothing. Upshall and Lepisto were dumped by Phoenix, and the CBJ never planned on keeping them. Howson has dramatically overpaid ordinary players, making it very difficult to make a hockey trade. Johnson and a 1st for Voracek and Couturier (the net of our trades with LA and Philly) is a hockey trade-looks like a decent one, but there have not been many. Someone go slowly and explain to me how the CBJ gave Mason a longer term and more money than the Red Wings gave Jimmy Howard. Anyhow, this is all unnecessary on my part. The only thing that matters in pro sports is wins and losses, and Scott Howson's record speaks volumes. I was a season ticket holder for 10 years, and will not consider paying for a ticket until he is gone.

I don't want to bore everyone with details here-but Malhotra signed with Vancouver for 7.5 mil for 3 years-certainly in the neighborhood of what he was asking for in Columbus, and exactly what Howson paid Pahlsson, who was a total stiff. We gave away Klesla and Vermette because they had bad contracts, and had to beg Phoenix (or anyone else) to take them for nothing. Upshall and Lepisto were dumped by Phoenix, and the CBJ never planned on keeping them. Howson has dramatically overpaid ordinary players, making it very difficult to make a hockey trade. Johnson and a 1st for Voracek and Couturier (the net of our trades with LA and Philly) is a hockey trade-looks like a decent one, but there have not been many. Someone go slowly and explain to me how the CBJ gave Mason a longer term and more money than the Red Wings gave Jimmy Howard. Anyhow, this is all unnecessary on my part. The only thing that matters in pro sports is wins and losses, and Scott Howson's record speaks volumes. I was a season ticket holder for 10 years, and will not consider paying for a ticket until he is gone.
- Eric 1

I do not disagree with your assertion that Howson has overpaid ordinary players. He has not improved the team at all and divulging Nash asked for a trade should have resulted in immediate dismissal.

However, he signed Mason to a 2 year extension with a cap hit of 2.9m/per one year removed from a Calder performance. This could have been worse. He could have signed him for longer. (Howard was also signed to a 2 year extension for a cap hit of 2.25m) You could pick several comparisons that would now make the signing seem ridiculous but at the time most thought Mason was capable of bouncing back to previous form. This of course ignored the significance Hitchcock had on Mason's success (see Brian Elliot in 2012) but nonetheless....just be thankful it wasn't a 5 year deal.

I don't want to bore everyone with details here-but Malhotra signed with Vancouver for 7.5 mil for 3 years-certainly in the neighborhood of what he was asking for in Columbus, and exactly what Howson paid Pahlsson, who was a total stiff. We gave away Klesla and Vermette because they had bad contracts, and had to beg Phoenix (or anyone else) to take them for nothing. Upshall and Lepisto were dumped by Phoenix, and the CBJ never planned on keeping them. Howson has dramatically overpaid ordinary players, making it very difficult to make a hockey trade. Johnson and a 1st for Voracek and Couturier (the net of our trades with LA and Philly) is a hockey trade-looks like a decent one, but there have not been many. Someone go slowly and explain to me how the CBJ gave Mason a longer term and more money than the Red Wings gave Jimmy Howard. Anyhow, this is all unnecessary on my part. The only thing that matters in pro sports is wins and losses, and Scott Howson's record speaks volumes. I was a season ticket holder for 10 years, and will not consider paying for a ticket until he is gone.
- Eric 1

Did you even see how much San Jose offered Malhotra after he decided we were to crazy to sign him up for 5 years??? Just about 750 k , if Vancouver gave him that sort of money that's their problem , now they want to get rid of him.

And for Klesla and Vermette to say they are ordinary , they sure are playing crucial roles right now for Pheonix. That's what you call having a good coaching staff and making your players believe in the system , that's what bothers me with Howson and the front office, sometimes I get the impression monkeys have taken over the front office.