What will Columbus do?
Things are going from bad to worse for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It was bad enough to start the season 0-5-1 without suspended defenseman James Wisniewski and the fact Jeff Carter cracked a bone in his right foot that forced him to the sidelines, but now they also have depth issues with their goaltending.
As the Columbus Dispatch reported, the Blue Jackets had to call up unsigned 2010 draft pick Mathieu Corbeil from the Quebec League's Saint John Sea Dogs on a one-game, emergency basis to back up starter Steve Mason in Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars.
Regular backup Mark Dekanich has been sidelined for weeks with a high ankle sprain, while minor leaguers Curtis Sanford and Allen York were both nursing injuries, though York is expected to be ready to back up Mason later in the week.
With all the questions surrounding Mason's capability as a starter after another slow beginning, the Jackets would be better off with a more experienced, healthy, and reliable backup.
CBC's Elliotte Friedman made note of the unusually high number of scouts at a recent Blue Jackets game and suggested GM Scott Howson was looking to move a center because he possessed so many they've pressed some into service as a winger.
There have been rumors of Derick Brassard being shopped, but with Carter on the sidelines, Brassard has been returned to the first line between Rick Nash and R.J. Umberger. It's unlikely Brassard will be moved as long as Carter is hobbled.
Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch said it's not time to panic yet, but believed a shakeup would come if the Blue Jackets fail to improve over their next three games against Detroit and Ottawa.
HARTNELL UPSET OVER DECREASED ROLE
Philadelphia Flyers right winger Scott Hartnell confessed to his frustration over losing playing time so far this season, but said he still enjoys playing with the Flyers.
He's lost playing time to youngsters Matt Read, Sean Couturier and Wayne Simmonds and his poor performance in training camp didn’t help either.
Hartnell acknowledged he's heard the trade rumors swirling about him, but he possesses a no-trade clause.
While he could be convinced to waive it if he felt he no longer had a future with the Flyers, odds are Hartnell's experience and gritty play will continue to make him a valuable part of the roster.
GM Paul Holmgren is under no pressure to move Hartnell because of performance or salary. The club is off to a good start and its GM continues to find creative ways to juggle his roster and remain under the salary cap.
TURRIS NOT BEING SHOPPED FOR TRADE
Rumor bloggers recently claimed the Phoenix Coyotes were receiving significant offers for holdout center Kyle Turris, but according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, these reports come as a surprise to GM Don Maloney, who insisted he's not shopping Turris.
Of course, that's unlikely to silence the rumor mill and the longer this situation drags on, the more likely Turris will continue to be mentioned in Internet-generated trade speculation.
Turris has until Dec. 1 to sign a contract. If he fails to sign by then he'll be ineligible to play the remainder of the season.
Rumor Roundup appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Eishockey News and Kukla's Korner.
