Rick Nash Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets and star winger Rick Nash have agreed on an eight-year, $62.4 million contract extension through 2018 with talk of a salary cap hit in the $8 million range and a no-movement clause. The contract was finalized on Friday, with an annual cap hit of $7.8 million, a no-movement clause in the first five years and a limited NMC in the final three "Rick is a Blue Jacket. He is our captain, the foundation of our team and one of the elite players in the National Hockey League," said team general manager.

Ken Hitchcock Team Canada

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock has been named associate coach for Team Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, the club and Team Canada announced today. Hitchcock will join head coach Mike Babcock and associate coaches Jacques Lemaire and Lindy Ruff, who were also named to the coaching staff.“It’s a real honor anytime you have an opportunity to represent your country in any competition,” said Hitchcock. “Having the Olympics take place in Canada is really special. I have been fortunate to be a part of Team Canada at the past two Olympics and getting to do so again is a real privilege.”Hitchcock has represented Canada at numerous international competitions.

Steve Mason wins Calder Trophy

Steve Mason wins Calder Trophy as NHL's rookie of the year.
The Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender was named rookie of the year at the NHL awards on Thursday, edging Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks and Kris Versteeg of the Chicago Blackhawks. Voting was conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
Mason had a league-leading 10 shutouts this season and helped lift the Blue Jackets to the first playoff berth in franchise history.

Rick Nash will he resign with Columbus

After making their first-ever post-season appearance, the Columbus Blue Jackets will experience another first at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft as they select out of the top 10 for the first time in franchise history. First, does Nash want to remain in Columbus. If he goes to unrestricted free agency next summer there is no question he will be the most sought-after UFA on the market maybe of all-time. Many teams will take that into consideration this year when preparing their budgets for the 2010-11 season. Also, does Nash want to continue playing for coach Ken Hitchcock?

Mason Columbus Blue Jackets

Sporting News magazine named the Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender as its NHL rookie of the year last week, as Mason beat out high-scoring forwards Bobby Ryan and Kris Versteeg in voting by 292 NHL players.
If history is any guide, Mason should like his chances of taking home the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie when the league holds its annual awards night next month in Las Vegas. Nine of the past 11 Sporting News rookie-of-the-year award winners have received the Calder, which is voted on by professional hockey writers.

Rick Nash Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets finding a center for Rick Nash: The problem is that I don't see a good fit in the free agent marketplace. I see Saku Koivu re-signing in Montreal. The one wild card idea I like is going after Mike Cammalleri, who can play wing or center.Anybody have any thoughts on this.

Fighting in hockey

The GMs recommended in March that a misconduct be given to players who fight immediately after a faceoff and for any staged bout. There is also a campaign to eliminate fights that are sparked by a clean hit.
Wilson doesn’t deny that aspects of fighting, and its role in the game, and the risks it presents need to be reviewed and discussed by the league’s general mangers. Those talks are expected to continue at the next meeting of club executives. But another hot topic in recent years is what should be done about late hits and blows to the head. There is still no uniform resolution how to control that and what the penalty should be to offenders."I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out"

NHL should be embarrassed

There is nothing worse the a official determine the out come of a game.No wonder fans can't stand the referees,it was a shit call with all the penalties going on before that call.The NHL should be embarrassed.