On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: If there is an expansion draft next year, and if players with no-movement clauses have to be protected, the Blue Jackets would have to protect David Clarkson, Brandon Dubinsky, Nick Foligno, Scott Hartnell, Fedor Tyutin and Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Blue Jackets tried to trade Hartnell and Tyutin at the trade deadline, and will likely try again this offseason. It will be harder to move them now, as the acquiring team would be forced to protect them.
The Blue Jackets could buyout Tyutin’s contract. He has two years left on his deal. Clarkson’s contract has if full of bonuses and the Blue Jackets wouldn’t get much financial benefit, but if it keeps them from losing a young player, ownership might consider it.
Another option would be if the player(s) and team mutually agree to waive the no-movement clause, allowing the player to enter the expansion draft.
On the Washington Capitals …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 on the Washington Capitals and what might happen if they lose to the Penguins.
“I was in Washington for a game against Toronto just after the trade deadline, and I had a chance to talk to Brian MacLellan about it. He says when you look at our cap situation, we’ve got this year and next before we really have to change our team. Because in two years, they’re going to have to give Karl Alzner a new contract, and they’re going to have to give Evgeny Kuznetsnov a new contract.
“And Kuznetsov has been stunningly poor in the playoffs. That’s been one of the major reasons I think they’re in as much trouble as they are, that he who was the breakthrough player of this regular season has not been very good in the playoffs.
“So I think what happens is, if they lose tomorrow or lose this round, they take a deep breath and they say, ‘One more year with this group.’
“But it’s going to be a bitter, bitter pill to swallow before that happens.”