[cbuscru77]

It's all up to Pittsburgh Penguins winger Marian Hossa now. The Penguins have made Hossa a long-term contract offer -- believed to be seven years, $50 million -- and expect to hear back from him in a couple of days.
If Hossa accepts the contract -- and the Penguins expect he will -- Ryan Malone's days in the Steel City are finished.
At that point, it's believed the Blue Jackets will swoop in and trade for Malone's negotiating rights to get him signed before the July 1 free agency free-for-all. What will the Blue Jackets give up? I've heard Dan Fritsche, straight up, and I've heard a second- or third-round draft pick.
Doubt the Jackets would have to give up more than that, because the Penguins are going to lose Malone anyway. In a sense, this helps the Pens in that it allows them to control what team he goes to. They don't have to worry about him being in the Eastern Conference, or a rival club, say, Philadelphia.
This will all likely go down in the next 48 to 72 hours, after Hossa gets back to the Penguins.
I've been wondering if the Blue Jackets even need to give up something to get Malone's rights. I mean, if he wants to play in Columbus -- and all indications are he'd be happy to play here -- why not just wait until July 1 and get it done.
Two reasons to "swoop in early": 1) the Blue Jackets can't take any chances if there's even a small chance they'd lose a guy, not this off-season; 2) the Minnesota Wild are said to be courting Malone from the Penguins, too.
Malone should not be viewed as a savior. He had 27 goals this season, a career-high. He's good for about 20 goals per season. But he is a bad-a** dude, and the Blue Jackets need some of that. He will go in front of the net and pay the price to score goals. If a player gets cheap-shotted (Zherdev last year, for instance) Malone doesn't have a conversation about it or make "next shift" promises. He takes the gloves off and goes to work.
No, he's not a savior. But he's a big step forward for the Blue Jackets.
Other percolations:
-- Talks between the Blue Jackets and Pascal Leclaire's agent continue. Leclaire, a restricted free agent as of July 1, is likely to get a two or three year contract. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson spoke with Leclaire agent, Don Meehan, late this week and the two sides will talk again early this week.
My guess is the deal with be signed, sealed and delivered during the week between the draft and free agency.
-- If the Sharks re-sign defenseman Brian Campbell, they're likely to part with center Patrick Marleau. Doesn't matter that they have a new coach, it's a budget situation.
-- Blue Jackets development camp will begin July 6 in Dispatch Ice Haus. It'll run through July 11. The hope is to have 22 to 24 players involved, including the six players they draft next weekend in Ottawa. Yes, I know they have eight picks. I just don't think they'll use them.

- Aaron Portzline

[Lefty Noob]

They absolutely need to wrap up that deal with Leclaire. Good to see the two sides are so close.

[blueandwhite]

Marleau was a disappointment for SJ for much of last season so I would expect to see him ship out too, for that and $$ reasons.
This malone thing is becoming juicy with Minnesota in the running too.

[cbuscru77]

"NHL sources" (whatever that means!) are saying a deal between Columbus and Pittsburgh for Malone could be struck as early as today but more likely on Wednesday. But you are right it is getting dicey with Minnesota's intrest plus I'm hearing Vancouver is also talking to Pittsburgh. On some other notes I've picked up today:
(This one is actually an old one but some don't know yet)
Regarding the CBJ's UFAs - Michael Peca and the Blue Jackets will talk after the draft. Ron Hainsey will test the market after July 1 but get back to the Blue Jackets before he signs with another club. David Vyborny and Dick Tarnstrom aren't in the clubs plans.

Joakim Lindstrom, Alexandre Picard, Marc Methot, Aaron Rome and Clay Wilson have all been granted qualifying offers. Wilson and Lindstrom are said to be considering offers to head to Europe. (Wilson leaving would be a disappointment he looked good with the big club last year)
-- Pascal Leclaire and Dan Fritsche got QOs, too. Leclaire is currently negotiating a contract with the Blue Jackets, and he'll get a big raise. Probably a two- or three-year deal. Fritsche will want to negotiate, too. (But I am hearing that it may be Fritche and a draft pick to Pittsburgh for Malone)

[blueandwhite]

Vancouver totally needs a guy like malone.

[cbuscru77]

Ryan Malone says that he plans to test the free agent market and that he is not going to negotiate with any club -- Blue Jackets, Wild, anybody -- before free agency.
Here's his explanation: "I don't want any team I go to to give up a possible teammate. So we will wait till the first."
Makes sense to me.
In case you've missed the last couple of days, the Blue Jackets and Penguins have preliminarily discussed a trade that would sent Malone's negotiating rights to the Blue Jackets in exchange for a draft pick or a player. The Pens may have been talking with other clubs as well.
Malone put the kabosh on all of it. Sounds to me like he's pretty peeved with the Penguins for the way they've handled his situation. The last thing he wants to do is help them on his way out the door.
I asked Malone point-blank if he would consider the Blue Jackets on July 1: "Yes. Yes I would. I am considering other teams as well."
The Penguins better hope they get right winger Marian Hossa signed now. Otherwise, GM Ray Shero might come crawling back to Malone with a sweeter offer. Very interesting.

[cbuscru77]

I read this too and thought it made a lot of sense..... People who think Ryan Malone's decision to go to free agency is a kick in the gut to the Blue Jackets are dead wrong. The two clubs talked trade preliminarily, but there was never an official offer on the table. It never got to that point. If anything, Malone pulled the carpet out from underneath the Penguins on this deal, not the Blue Jackets. Don't believe insiderrumormonger-pittsburgh.com either, or whatever it is. That's total b.s. I believe Malone will wholeheartedly consider the Blue Jackets on July 1. Are they a favorite? Will he sign here? I can't possibly say at this juncture. But I believe he'll consider Columbus on July 1. Anybody who says he won't is talking WAY out of turn.
-- Those who think the interest in Ryan Malone represents a changing of direction for the Blue Jackets are wrong, too. Pursuing Malone does not mean the Blue Jackets won't be in hot pursuit of centers or defensemen. It would have been in addition to the centers and defensemen. Look at the Blue Jackets' roster. Do you think they're set on top six forwards?
-- People, relax. This is supposed to be fun. It's a big weekend that lies ahead. I can't be ruined on Tuesday, right?
-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com