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SPORTS Tuesday 25 June 2019

Blue Jackets at center of attention

as NHL free agency looms

By JOHN WAWROW re-signing one or all three with Ottawa. Other no-
AP Hockey Writer players. “I’m sure we’ll get table free agents set to hit
VANCOUVER, British Co- some answers shortly if it the market are San Jose
lumbia (AP) — Where many starts looking like they’re captain Joe Pavelski, Win-
express concern, Jarmo moving into another direc- nipeg defenseman Tyler
Kekäläinen says he sees tion. But we thought this Myers and Toronto defen-
only opportunity regarding could happen,” he said, re- seman Jake Gardiner.
the uncertain state of the ferring to the bold gamble The list of top-end talent
Columbus roster a week Columbus made in choos- has dwindled with defense-
before NHL free agency. ing to acquire Duchene in man Erik Karlsson re-signing
To Kekäläinen, the fear of a trade with Ottawa, and with San Jose, forward Jeff
possibly losing stars such as retain Panarin and Bo- Skinner re-signing with Buf-
Matt Duchene, Artemi Pan- brovsky at the trade dead- falo, and Philadelphia ac-
arin and goalie Sergei Bo- line in February knowing quiring and signing center
brovsky on July 1 is offset by they were in the final years Kevin Hayes.
the knowledge that their of their contracts. According to Spotrac.com,
departures would open “If it happens, we’re not only nine of 31 teams are
significant space under the going to be shocked,” projected to be $20 mil-
salary cap. Kekäläinen added. “If it lion or more under the cap,
That would put the Blue is the case, then we just and led by Colorado at
Jackets general manager move forward with what $35.5 million. At the other In this April 5, 2019, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets left wing
Artemi Panarin (9), of Russia, skates with the puck against New
in prime position to fill those we have and start building end of the spectrum is Ve- York Rangers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in
holes through trades or free other ways.” gas, currently projected New York.
agency at a time when the The 27-year-old Panarin is to be $1.6 million over the Associated Press
newly announced $81.5 considered the top free cap, and will have to be in to have Colorado match ternal economics, it will be
million payroll maximum for agent on the market. The compliance by the start of the contract. a decision as to what we
next season is forcing vari- NHL’s 2016 rookie of the the season in October. Speculation has focused might do.”
ous cap-strapped teams to year has topped 70 points Some teams may resort to on talented Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs are at least
shed salary. in each of his four seasons the rarely used option of forward Mitchell Marner better positioned to re-sign
“I think every $100,000 or and scored 116 goals in 322 poaching from the restrict- being a candidate to re- Marner after freeing up
every $1,000 counts at this career games. Duchene, ed free agent pool. This ceive an offer sheet, some- $6.2 million of cap space
point for some teams that a center, has topped 20 would require a team issu- thing Toronto GM Kyle Du- by trading veteran forward
are going to be squeezed,” goals seven times in 10 sea- ing an offer sheet, which bas acknowledged with- Patrick Marleau to Carolina
Kekäläinen said shortly af- sons and coming off a year would lead to the player’s out committing to whether over the weekend.
ter the new cap number in which he had a career- team having to decide to the team would match it. Cap constraints were be-
— $1.5 million lower than best 31 goals. match the offer or receive “It’s kind of hanging over hind the Nashville Preda-
initially projected — was And then there is the draft picks as compensa- everything now,” Dubas tors’ decision to trade P.K.
announced. 30-year-old Bobrovsky, a tion. said last week. Subban to New Jersey, with
“They’re going to have two-time Vezina Trophy- The Calgary Flames, in “It’s our intention they’re the Devils easily affording
to sell their problems. We winner. The Blue Jackets 2013, were the last team to here for as long as we can the play-making defense-
could be a solution.” could also lose center Ryan issue an offer sheet in a bid possibly keep them. But if man’s $9 million annual
Kekäläinen won’t rate the Dzingel, whom they ac- to acquire then-Avalanche the dollar amount doesn’t cap hit over the final three
Blue Jackets’ chances of quired in a separate trade center Ryan O’Reilly, only make sense as far as our in- years of his contract.q

Dutch Olympic champion completes 195-kilometer charity swim

THE HAGUE, Netherlands ing point, he stopped, for meals, quick naps and
(AP) — On one of the hot- punched the air then slowly to have his face slathered
test days of the Dutch and gingerly clambered up in sunblock during his swim.
summer, Olympic long-dis- a ladder out of the water, “Last year, I suffered.
tance swimming champion supported by helpers be- This year, I really enjoyed
Maarten van der Weijden cause his legs were weak it,” he said before being
completed a marathon after his long swim. driven away in a golf bug-
swim Monday along the “I did it!” an exhausted Van gy so that he could head
route of a famous Dutch der Weijden said in images to a hospital for a checkup.
speedskating race, to broadcast live on national Cheered on by thousands
raise money for cancer re- television. of supporters throughout
search. Van der Weijden has been the weekend, Van der Wei-
Van der Weijden finished a Dutch celebrity since win- jden had to endure chaf-
the 195-kilometer (121- ning the 10-kilometer open ing in his black and yellow
mile) swim through canals water swim at the 2008 Bei- wetsuit as he slowly swam
in the northern province of jing Olympics after surviv- through the 11 towns that
Friesland in just over three ing leukemia, and has used make up the route of the
days, swimming slowly into his fame to raise millions for In this Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 file photo, Maarten van der speedskating race that is
the city of Leeuwarden cancer research. Weijden, of the Netherlands, celebrates with his gold medal only staged in winters when
Monday evening followed He completed the swim after winning the men’s swimming marathon at the Beijing 2008 ice covering canals is thick
by a flotilla of boats and less than a year after hav- Olympics in Beijing. enough to hold thousands
stand-up paddlers. ing to give up his first at- Associated Press of skaters.
As he reached the finish- tempt after 163 kilometers (101 miles) due to ill health. This time, he stopped briefly The last race was in 1997.q