Columbus Looking To Deal?
January 2nd, 2009 by SteveI’m just passing along information that’s already making the rounds, but the Columbus Blue Jackets had two scouts in attendance at last night’s Leafs-Sabres tilt.
Apparently they’re exploring the possibility of Nik Antropov and/or Pavel Kubina heading to the Blue Jackets, with the potential of Pascal Leclaire, Jakub Voracek, and/or picks coming back. We’ve all been through the potential that Antropov and Kubina offer the Blue Jackets, who are obviously desparate to make a push to the post-season right now, before they lose Rick Nash to free agency. So I figured I might as well explore Voracek and Leclaire in a bit more detail for those of us who are wondering if they’re worth the asking price.
Pascal Leclaire, G - was drafted 8th overall in the first round of the 2001 entry draft by the Blue Jackets. Unfortunately the promise of his youthful game has been belied by a marginally successful NHL career. Following a far from spectacular run with the Halifax Mooseheads and Montreal Rocket in the QMJHL, which saw his save percentage numbers hover at or below the .900 mark for all 4 of his junior seasons, Leclaire spent a fair bit of time with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL.
Over his first 3 seasons in the AHL, Leclaire played in 94 games (right around where Pogge sat entering this season everyone should recall), with a record of 34-43-9, a .908 SV% and a 3.13 GAA. He was promoted to the Blue Jackets as a backup for the majority of the 2005-06 season. He posted superior numbers to incumbent starter Marc Denis (another 1st round goaltending draft pick) registering an 11-15-3 record in 33 games. He posted a save percentage of .911 and a GAA of 3.23, earning himself another kick at the can the following season.
In 2006-07 the Jackets cast Denis aside in favour of Leclaire, and brought in Finnish import Fredrik Norrena as a backup. Unfortunately the ‘06-07 campaign was an injury plagued one for Leclaire. He injured his left knee in December of ‘06 and underwent surgery to repair damage right at the end of the calendar year. The recovery cost him 26 games, and eventually he shut it down for the remainder of the season in March as the injury continued to nag him. Overall he missed 48 games that year due to his knee problems. He only skated in 24 games compiling a 6-15-2 record, an .897 SV% and a 2.97 GAA.
2007-08 saw Leclaire’s talent blossom into that of a bonafide NHL starter. In 54 games under the defensive tutelage of Ken Hitchcock he went 24-17-6 with a .919 SV% and 2.25 GAA. Unfortunately injury struck again near the end of the season, as he missed 11 games due to head and neck injuries through February and April. That being said, he obviously was thought to be the starter for the future as he signed a 3 year contract with the Blue Jackets this past off-season as a Restricted Free Agent.
This season started off fairly poorly again though, and Leclaire was again bitten by the injury bug, injuring his thumb in October, and then spraining his ankle in November, causing him to miss 7 games. In the interim, the Blue Jackets have lost the services of Fredrik Norrena, and have rapidly promoted rising goaltending phenom Steve Mason, who led the Canadian Junior Team to gold at least year’s tournament. Mason posted his league leading 5th Shut Out yesterday, and is now 12-7-1 with a sparkling .938 SV% and 1.69 GAA, standing near the top of those NHL categories. It seems like people may be destined to wonder what happened to Leclaire’s game after last season, and he has now seemingly lost his starting gig in a fashion similar to that of the New York Yankee’s first baseman Wally Pipp, who was replaced by Lou Gherig.
Though he has demonstrated the ability to win at the NHL level and has posted one solid season with a .919 save percentage, his career numbers at the NHL level, a .907 SV%, a 2.82 GAA, and 45-55-12 record, are not that dissimilar to those posted by Vesa Toskala (.906 SV%, 2.62 GAA, and 111-65-5 record - most of the wins came with the relatively stacked San Jose Sharks).
Moving to bring Leclaire into the fold would indicate a return to the alternating goaltender system featured by Ron Wilson for years in San Jose, and would reduce the wear and tear on both Toskala and the injury prone Leclaire. He would be a definite upgrade on Curtis Joseph, in terms of age if nothing else, but his injury history definitely raises some question marks.
He has a history of facing high shot totals in Columbus (he was taking 28.8 shots a game so far this season), but last year when he was facing 27.7 a game, his numbers were very solid.
Jackub Voracek, LW - is another former Halifax Moosehead, taken in the first round, 7th overall, of the 2007 entry draft. He is considered to have huge upside, and is one of the top 10 rated prospects in the NHL. His offensive skills are impressive, and his size at 6′2″ and 205 lbs, helps him make space in which to work.
A native of Kladno, in the Czech republic, Voracek would likely slot in relatively comfortably on either of the Leafs top two lines. Playing alongside his countryman Jiri Tlusty, might also bring out some comfort for the two young players. Unfortunately, the two have not played together at any meaningful competition in recent years, despite the naming of both to last years World Junior squad (Tlusty was injured at the time of the tournament).
Voracek is skating in his first full season in the NHL and through 36 games, he has posted 4 goals and 11 assits for 15 points, and a +9 rating. His +9 rating is good enough for 53rd in the NHL and second on the Blue Jackets. Luckily for Leafs fans, his output so far this year has been eclipsed by fellow Rookie Blue Jacket, Derick Brassard, who has posted 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points and a +12 rating in 31 games.
It would certainly be exciting to see Voracek play top line minutes for the Leafs. Right now he’s only seeing an average of 12 minutes a night from the Blue Jackets, and he has only taken 46 shots on goal. The only regular in the Blue Jackets line up to get less even strength ice time than Voracek’s 9:30 a game is Jared Boll. Considering his lack of ice time, it becomes interesting to note that Voracek is producing a point every 28:52 he gets of ice time. That’s slightly below the rate of production for Mikhail Grabovski (every 28:02) and well ahead of Nikolai Kulemin (every 38:12). He’d be a dynamic offensive option to add to the mix.
Posted in Player Analysis, Prospects, Stat Analysis
13 Responses to “Columbus Looking To Deal?”
By Yuri Suderov
on Jan 2, 2009
Toronto would be making out like bandits if they got Vorachek. Leclaire is OK, although he is no better than Toskala. Columbus would have to be extremely desperate to make that deal. Stranger things have happened though.
By Steve
on Jan 2, 2009
I agree on the Voracek assessment. I’d prefer him to Filatov or Brassard long term.
As for Leclaire, I think he’d just be another stop gap that is superior to Joseph and has a few less miles on his frame. If they deal Toskala before the trade deadline or in the off season, they can continue to ease Pogge into a role at the NHL level. I still think the long term plan is to get Pogge some action this year.
By thewordbird
on Jan 2, 2009
I have a huge respect for the talent of Voracek. Why the Jackets would be moving him especially with Brassard out if the lineup and a glut of tough wingers (Boll and Dorsett anyhow)on board.
By Steve
on Jan 2, 2009
The Jackets need to win now. They’ve got a hot hand in Mason between the pipes. Brassard will be back eventually this season, and Voracek is getting limited ice time.
I think the issue is they want to make the playoffs and they’ll get more production out of Antropov than they would out of Voracek. Yes he’s the better long term prospect, but the Blues have a lot of those, and they need to succeed in the short term, not the long term.
They’re in the same pinch the Atlanta Thrashers were when they dealt for Tkachuk and Zhitnik a few years back… and actually the Thrashers are in it again, but they don’t have the horses to trade at this point.
By Yuri Suderov
on Jan 2, 2009
I have wondered about Toronto dealing with Columbus before, they could be seriously ripped off because of the teams need to make the playoffs. Of course this would fringe on Kubina waiving his NTC, but I don’t think that is as much of a problem as it was last year. It would be the 1st time in recent memory that the Leafs got the top prospect while the other team goes for the playoffs.
By Down Goes Brown
on Jan 2, 2009
I can’t see any reason why Kubina would waive his NTC for a Columbus deal. Even if he’s willing to move after the events of the last 12 months, it seems like Columbus would be just about the last place he’d want to go.
By bkblades
on Jan 2, 2009
If given the choice, would Burke take the draft pick (assuming it’s a first rounder) or Jackub Voracek? If this was Fletcher still on the helm, Voracek would be the clear choice, but with Burke I’m not so sure he would be so insistent on the player.
By mf37
on Jan 2, 2009
I’d love to know the details around each players’ NTC. I’ve read and heard that Kubina actually has a “limited” no trade clause that, in addition to providing a trade window last summer, includes a short list of pre-specified teams that Kubina can be dealt to.
It’s too bad there aren’t a horde of media in this town covering the Leafs who could make the necessary calls to ferret out this information.
As for the trade chatter, I’ll take a pass on Leclaire. As Leaf fans well know, middlng goalies are easy to come by, no need spending further assets to get one.
By Steve
on Jan 3, 2009
I think taking Leclaire off of Columbus’ books might be part of the price the Leafs would have to pay to get a prospect like Voracek, or a first rounder in the upcoming draft.
He’s costing the Blue Jackets $3.8 million a season, and at this point he’s just an expensive backup to Mason, who is injured regularly. They could bring Dan LaCosta up from Syracuse to fill that role… and then call up their ECHL netminders or let the younger kids in Syracuse run with things.
The way it helps the Leafs is it lets them out from under the CuJo issue fairly easily as they have an obvious backup to Toskala, and they don’t have to “rush” Justin Pogge in to fill the gap. Then if they plan on bringing Pogge up later on, they can deal either Leclaire or Toskala to make space.
As for Kubina’s limited NTC, the pre-approved teams are anybody’s guess. I do sincerely doubt that Columbus would be one of them, but if he were asked to waive it, he might be willing to take a listen.
I do suspect it is unlikely that Columbus is a team he would want to play for. I did find it strange though that San Jose was a team he refused to play for last season. I am assuming the teams he can not be traded to are in the western conference, as his travel might be a situation that worries him with his young child and girlfriend at home. Just an idea… but I really have no idea.
I think Burke would take Voracek over the first rounder for a couple of reasons. One, Voracek is NHL ready right now, a prospect would take another 2 or 3 years to develop most likely. Secondly, Voracek has a similar upside to most of the top players available in this upcoming draft. While it is a very deep, and highly skilled draft, Voracek is a VERY skilled player with huge upside and potential. He would be a top 5 pick in this year’s draft. Lastly, I don’t think Burke has shown a huge propensity to go for draft picks in trades. He’ll move around on draft day to get very specific players, but I haven’t noticed him stockpiling picks in the past.
By Yuri Suderov
on Jan 3, 2009
I wonder if a similar deal could be made with Van Ryn in place of Kubina. They offer the same type of play, and when Van Ryn has been healthy he has been one of the Leafs best.
Voraceck would be a top 10, I doubt a top 5 though. He was out of the top 5 in 07 and this year is far deeper. Although I agree that Burke would take him over a pick, it may not be the best move because of where the Columbus pick may be, but considering Burke’s drafting record he would probably just take what he knows.
By Steve
on Jan 3, 2009
I think the reason Voracek would be a top 5 is his development at this point is more secure. Many of the players in the draft are predicted to be “sure fire blue chip” prospects, but they’re still only 17 years old. In 2 or 3 years their development may have stalled entirely. Today’s 4th overall pick might turn out to be a complete washout in 3 years.
Either way, I still think he’s a great talent.
As for Van Ryn over Kubina… Van Ryn is more injury prone, and while his play is similar, he doesn’t have the history of Kubina, or the track record of playoff success. Kubina is more of a scoring threat, and he has more experience, which I think is what Columbus is looking for.
To the Leafs advantage would be his lack of a NTC and his lower salary level, both of which might make him easier to move than Kubina… but if he isn’t as hot a commodity that won’t make a huge difference. Two concussions so far this year might be scaring teams off.
As for worrying about the Columbus pick, I think the point for Columbus would be that if this trade happens, it is unlikely that they would drop into the bottom 6 or 7 teams in the NHL. It’s supposed to make them “contenders” for a playoff spot. At the same time, the Leafs would get worse, and their stock would drop, just from an experience standpoint, thus helping them improve their chances of a top pick at the draft.
By Mike
on Jan 3, 2009
any deal should involve Kaberle. I cant figure out why he is getting a break from Leaf fans. not waiving his no trade makes me cry everytime Jeff Carter scores a goal. He should be booed out of town. Bryan Mccabe waived his no trade likely tired of the abuse on radio and the papers but he is proving with his 7 goals 10 assist +10 yes +10 rating that he made Kaberle. when Fla comes to town Mccabe should applauded for his career as a Leaf and for the one stand up guy to allow a trade
By Steve
on Jan 4, 2009
Kaberle has 25 points… McCabe has 17. Kaberle averages .64 points per game, McCabe averages .5 points per game. Oh and Pavel Kubina (Kaberle’s partner) has 8 goals and 12 assists… so does HE make Kaberle? or vice versa?
How did McCabe “make” Kaberle?
McCabe is playing on what is a superior team to Toronto in the Florida Panthers. If you think people expected the Panthers to finish BEHIND the Leafs this year you need to go back and review your NHL predictions for the ‘08-’09 season.
The fact that he is +10 on a team that is far superior to the Leafs defensively is not a shock.
More interesting to me would be the fact that Kaberle is +7 for the Leafs since December 8th, and that includes a stretch where he was -5 over a 3 game stretch (which they lost all of). The Leafs are 7-5-0 in that run… so obviously Kaberle’s play is important.
McCabe is also averaging 22 minutes a game, which is a huge drop from his minutes with the Leafs.
The problem with McCabe is the Leafs tried to turn him into a big minute D man, when he excelled as a 3rd D, not as a top 2.
Neither player really “made” the other. Both McCabe, and Kaberle are what they are. McCabe is not amazingly creative on offense, but he has a big shot from the point. He is a decent passer, and he is a physical presence defensively. I bet you might be shocked to find out that he’s only playing 57 seconds a game on the PK. Obviously Pete DeBoer doesn’t trust him in his own zone any more than the Leafs should have. He does play over 4 minutes a game on the PP though, and he’s produced reasonably well. At even strength, McCabe averages the 5th most minutes of all the Florida D men. He is NOT counted on Defensively.
Kaberle’s only real contribution is as a puck carrying and distributing offensive D man. He is passable on D, but his main contribution is purely on the offensive end. He’s STILL doing that for the Leafs. I don’t really think either player is doing any more or less than advertised.
McCabe is a liability in his own end, and so is Kaberle. Kaberle is a superior passer, and he produces more points than McCabe does. I don’t see why that warrants him being roasted in the press.
He wasn’t roasted by Leafs fans because he wasn’t putting the puck into his own net, and he wasn’t crapping the bed whenever the pressure was increased against him. McCabe was. It’s not that shocking. Oh and McCabe was making a LOT more money… still is in fact.
Kaberle’s contract is quite reasonable. That has a lot to do with it.