The best/worst off-seasons so far

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

The events of the past four weeks will best be gauged a few seasons down the road. For now, The Dispatch offers this analysis of the proceedings:

Best offseasons

1. Chicago -- With all that "Youth Gone Wild" up front, the Blackhawks landed offensive-minded defenseman Brian Campbell and No. 1 goaltender Cristobal Huet to balance the attack. They could be the next Pittsburgh Penguins.

2. Detroit -- The Red Wings are so good, talent comes knocking on their door. Witness Marian Hossa taking a one-year deal to leave Sidney Crosby's wing and move to Motown. The Wings lost nobody except forward Dallas Drake (retired yesterday) and still have salary-cap room for the future to stay intact...

Read the entire article here.

No real surprises on Portzline's best/worst list. I'm not so sure I'd put Chicago at number one; in fact, I wouldn't. The Campbell signing was a nice move, but the Huet signing still doesn't make a lot of sense to me, especially at those dollars.

Peca's deal with Jackets only for one year

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

Center Michael Peca has signed a one-year, $1.315 million contract with the Blue Jackets, The Dispatch has learned.

Peca was hoping to sign a two-year contract with the Jackets, he said last week, but accepted a one-year deal for the same salary as last season. Two other teams are believed to have made overatures at Peca, but they pulled out when it became apparent he was headed back to the Blue Jackets.

Read the entire entry here.

The original reports were that the deal was for two years, however, it appears the Jackets pushed for a one-year pact and got their wish. That makes sense because Peca has had a tough time avoiding injury over the past few seasons.

Peca re-signs with Blue Jackets

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

Free-agent center Michael Peca has agreed to terms on a two-year contract, The Dispatch has learned.

A deal could be announced as early as today.

Read more about the Blue Jackets from Portzline here.

Peca fits in with what the Blue Jackets want to stand for and is a solid signing. The rugged two-way forward should be a solid third-line center for Ken Hitchcock.

Howson and Hitchcock on the same page

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

The Blue Jackets' summer of significant change has made the club bigger, stronger, faster and nastier.

One word might sum it up: Hitchcockian.

From the day Scott Howson was hired as general manager more than a year ago, it was obvious he saw his dream hockey club through the same lens as coach Ken Hitchcock.

"We're on the same page," Howson said. "We have the same opinion on how you build a hockey club."

Read the entire article here.

With Howson's recent free agent signings and trades, it is very evident that him and Hitchcock are thinking along the same lines. When the GM and coach are working together like they are in Columbus, the chance for team success is certainly increased.