12th Largest Payroll Shows Columbus GM Scott Howson is Serious

By: Marc Humker General Manager Scott Howson hinted that he was done adding to the payroll before training camp, but that didn't stop him from signing veteran LD Fedor Tyutin to a 6 year, $27 million contract extension. This signing is another statement to the Columbus fanbase that the ownership and management are "all-in" on this hand.
3 years ago Howson traded Nikolai Zherdev away to the New York Rangers, and in the trade acquired Tyutin, and since that trade has played in all but 4 games, and has registered 22 goals, 71 assists for 92 points. These three years has been Tyutin's best as a professional hockey player. Only as a member of Guelph Storm of the OHL has he put up better numbers. This is another show of bold signings by Scott Howson, who earlier this year traded for C Jeff Carter who if shows even the average of his production in Philadelphia would be good for 30 goals, 27 assists for 57 points. Scott Howson has increased the Blue Jackets payroll to the 12th largest in the league, with the top payouts including: 1. LW Rick Nash (7.8 Mil) 2. D James Wisniewski (5.5 Mil) 3. C Jeff Carter (5.2 Mil) 4. RW Kristian Huselius (4.75 Mil) 5. Fedor Tyuitin (4.5 Mil)* Forward R.J. Umberger who has clearly become the heart and soul of the lockeroom and fans in the arena is also due a contract extention, and sources within the organization say that negotiations with Umberger are very important and they hope to have a deal done with the Ohio State Alumni before the end of the 2011 season. Whatever the final standing are when the 2011 regular season ends, one thing is clear. Scott Howson was given the keys to the car and told to drive, and drive he did. This year the Columbus Fans should be given the keys too, the keys to the 2011 NHL Playoffs. *After 2011 season