Leclaire in play?

There have been suggestions that Pascal Leclaire's negotiations with the Blue Jackets have been not running smoothly. Given the small number of UFA goalies available this spring, it is conceivable that a team tries to sign Leclaire to an offer sheet. They have short term insurance in Frederik Norrena, who has played well for the Jackets over the years and filled in for them in Leclaire's absence during the last few weeks of the 2007-08 season and a long-term possibility in the form of World Junior gold medal keeper Steve Mason. Both sides believe they are negotiating from a position of strength and Jackets GM Scott Howson might think that Ken Hitchcock's defense-first scheme might suit a lesser goalie. I suspect this negotiation might drag on a bit and could be still on during the draft or even after July 1, allowing teams to make an RFA offer.

Another goalie who could end up in play would be Kari Lehtonen. He has fared well but has not brought the Thrashers to the next level. Given the injuries he's had and the emergence Ondrej Pavelec for the Thrashers, Lehtonen might be on the goalie carousel looking for a chance to reset himself as a first stringer or find himself bouncing around as a back up. Watch him go somewhere looking for goaltending depth during the draft. If he stays in Atlanta he will see a much lighter load next year.