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Jackets Deal Zherdev And Fritsche To Rangers
Blue Jackets acquire defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman for forwards Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche; free agent Huselius joins Jackets as well
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
One could argue that a better name for the Columbus Blue Jackets next season will be the Columbus New Jackets. The 2008-09 version of the NHL team will have a completely different look as General Manager Scott Howson continues to overhaul the roster.
Forwards Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritche have both been traded to the New York Rangers for defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman. Tyutin and Backman will be part of a rebuilt blueline for the Jackets, who Tuesday acquired veteran Mike Commodore from Ottowa in free agency.
Click here to listen to newly acquired defenseman Mike Commodore discuss joining the Blue Jackets and the moves being made by his new team
"The additions of Fedor and Christian to our lineup has really improved our puck moving ability on the blueline," Howson said. "All strong teams are built from the backend out and we feel like we made significant strides in that area."
Tyutin, who turns 25 later this month, scored five goals with 15 assists last season. In 250 career games he has 15 goals and 51 assists. Backman, 28, played for both St. Louis and New York last season. He scored three goals with 15 assists in 2007-08and in his career has tallied 21 goals and 51 assists in 246 games.
Zherdev meanwhile is coming off his best season in Columbus, when he scored 26 goals with 35 assists. Fritche, a native of Parma, Ohio, had 10 goals and 12 assists.
Jackets sign Huselius
With Zherdev gone, Howson replaced that offensive punch by signing 29-year old Kristian Huselius to a 4-year contract believed to be worth $19 million. Huselius scored 25 goals with 41 assists with Calgary last season. He had a career high 34 goals with the Flames in 2006-07.
"Kristian is a highly skilled player with good vision and hockey sense who has performed at a high level throughout his career," Howson said. "We are vey pleased to have a player and a person of his caliber join the Blue Jackets organization."
Huselius is the latest new offensive piece for the Blue Jackets. Howson has added forwards R.J. Umberger from Philadelphia and Raffi Torres from Edmonton in recent trades and is still pursuing more offensive help.
Forwards Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritche have both been traded to the New York Rangers for defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman. Tyutin and Backman will be part of a rebuilt blueline for the Jackets, who Tuesday acquired veteran Mike Commodore from Ottowa in free agency.
Click here to listen to newly acquired defenseman Mike Commodore discuss joining the Blue Jackets and the moves being made by his new team"The additions of Fedor and Christian to our lineup has really improved our puck moving ability on the blueline," Howson said. "All strong teams are built from the backend out and we feel like we made significant strides in that area."
Tyutin, who turns 25 later this month, scored five goals with 15 assists last season. In 250 career games he has 15 goals and 51 assists. Backman, 28, played for both St. Louis and New York last season. He scored three goals with 15 assists in 2007-08and in his career has tallied 21 goals and 51 assists in 246 games.
Zherdev meanwhile is coming off his best season in Columbus, when he scored 26 goals with 35 assists. Fritche, a native of Parma, Ohio, had 10 goals and 12 assists.
Jackets sign Huselius
With Zherdev gone, Howson replaced that offensive punch by signing 29-year old Kristian Huselius to a 4-year contract believed to be worth $19 million. Huselius scored 25 goals with 41 assists with Calgary last season. He had a career high 34 goals with the Flames in 2006-07.
"Kristian is a highly skilled player with good vision and hockey sense who has performed at a high level throughout his career," Howson said. "We are vey pleased to have a player and a person of his caliber join the Blue Jackets organization."
Huselius is the latest new offensive piece for the Blue Jackets. Howson has added forwards R.J. Umberger from Philadelphia and Raffi Torres from Edmonton in recent trades and is still pursuing more offensive help.
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