Malhotra signing appears unlikely

With two days to go before NHL free agency opens, it's almost certain that Blue Jackets center Manny Malhotra will test the market.

[cbj27fan]

Please Manny don't leave us.

[JacketsMan]

See ya Manny, Hope you can find another team so that you can be on their 3rd or 4th line where you need to be. Thanks for the years of service!

[John]

The jackets need a first line Center, not a third line center playing on our first line. Let him go and test the market. If he comes back, he will be great playing where he belongs on our 3rd line. With free agency coming on Wednesday, we need a true first line center and I hope that is exactly what we acquire.

[Kate]

They wouldn't need TWO penalty killing centers, simply because Vermette remains one of the best penalty killers in the league. So whether he is top line, he'll still be starting on the kill.