Rick Nash Stays Steady in Columbus

By Rick Gethin

The Hockey Writers

 

“I’m your Captain… I’m your Captain…”

 

     The ring of those words has a wonderful appeal to the denizens of Columbus as the Blue Jackets have signed a contract extension with team captain Rick Nash. The sticking point seemed to be the term initially offered by Columbus, rumored to be 5 years. The contract, as signed, is for a term of 8 years and $62.4 million. That gives the team a cap hit of $7.8 million. The deal was announced by the club Friday evening, timed (no doubt) to coincide with Columbus’ fireworks display Red, White & Boom!!! That display will take on an especially emotional meaning for fans of the young franchise. 

     After the strongly worded reply that Nash gave the team to their initial offer on the opening day of free agency, alarms bells went off among the CBJ faithful. Many thought is was the dollar amount, while I had the feeling that it was a question of term. Nash has publicly stated how much he likes the city and the team; that has never been an issue. Take note of this Toronto media: he likes being a big fish in a small pond. But by stating this, he might have lost some leverage with the club. After Wednesday, he had that leverage back. My take on the contract that I thought he might want was 10 years/$75 million. It would seem that the term was more important than the money to the 25 year old captain. This contract positions the team to be able to offer decent contracts to their young guns that are going to be due raises in the near future. 

     From Puck Rakers: “It’s a very fair number,” Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson said. “(Nash) made a statement to the team and the city that he’s not out for the last dollar. He wanted to have a fair contract that allows us the flexibility to build the team around him.”  The first five seasons of his new contract include a no-movement clause with a modified no-trade clause in the final three years. By signing this contract, Rick Nash, now signed through 2017-18, has shown that he’s not full of himself and truly wants to help this club reach the next level. 

     Over-shadowed in all of the hoopla surrounding Nash was the free agent signings that took place early Wednesday evening. As I stated previously, there were three holes that needed filled by the club through free agency; a checking-line center, a puck-moving defenseman and a back-up net-minder. GM Scott Howson didn’t waste any time in making two of the three happen much sooner than most thought he would make a move. By signing a center and a back-up goalie, he filled the holes left by the departure of C Manny Malhotra and G Wade Dubielewicz.

     It started with the signing of C Samuel Pahlsson, most recently with the Chicago Blackhawks, to a 3 year/$7.95 million contract. Pahlsson, considered one of the leagues premier checking line centers, will likely center the third line while possibly moving up in the event of injury to either Brassard or Vermette. He brings winning experience with him, having been a member of the Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks in 2006 and going to the Western Conference Finals last year with Chicago. He adds much needed depth down the center which the Blue Jackets were lacking. Being a “Hitch-type” player, expect to see him on the ice late in games. As much as Malhotra was liked in Columbus, Pahlsson is a definite upgrade. I give this signing a grade of a high B+.

     Shortly after Pahlsson was signed, the club announced the signing of G Mathieu Garon to a 2 year/$2.4 million deal. Who would have thought the Blue Jackets would end up with two goalies that catch with their right hand? After the club showed little confidence in Dubielewicz down the stretch, the need for a competent back-up for Calder Trophy winning Steve Mason became glaring. Garon also brings winning experience with him, most recently with the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. He also has a history with GM Scott Howson, having been a member of the Edmonton Oilers while Howson was with that organization. With a career Save% of .905 and a GAA of 2.84, look for him start 20-25 games while at the same time pushing franchise net-minder Mason. Competition is always a good thing. The grade for signing Garon is a solid B. 

     The last piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed is a puck-moving defenseman and the Blue Jackets should make this move in the coming weeks. This is now a team that shouldn’t see much turnover in the next few years, as many of these players are signed for quite some time. Vermette is the exception, as his contract is up after the 2009-10 season. Look for him to be re-signed rather quickly next summer. 

     You’ll hear it here first; the Blue Jackets will make the playoffs for at least the next three consecutive seasons, and they will go deeper into the playoffs each year. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I Hope you enjoyed this post. As always, leaving a comment below is both appreciated and encouraged. Thanks!

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