After he visited with the club on Wednesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to prepare a contract offer for free agent forward Nathan Horton when free agency opens on Friday. Horton has reportedly been interested in joining a market that would allow him to fly under the radar a little more than he could in Boston and Columbus would seem to fit that mold. Look for the Blue Jackets to be in the mix for Horton's services right up until the end.

Nathan Horton visited with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday, sources told Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. Horton is reportedly looking for an environment that is less "hockey mad" than Boston, which Columbus seems to fit. The postseason dynamo is also believed to be looking for a contract with an annual average value of $6 million, which will also likely eliminate a fair number of suitors. Horton had 19 points in 22 playoff games after registering only 22 points in 43 regular-season contests.

Nathan Horton plans to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5. "Nathan has told Boston he wants to explore free agency," Horton's agent, Paul Krepelka said. "It's not a financial issue, just a decision to move on." Horton is believed to be seeking an average annual cap hit of $6 million. He had 22 points in 43 regular season games, but he bounced back in the playoffs with 19 points in 22 contests.

Nathan Horton isn't likely to re-sign with the Boston Bruins. That's not surprising given that he's reportedly asking for a long-term deal with an average annual cap hit of $6 million. He has been very successful in the playoffs, but as things currently stand, the Bruins aren't in a position to realistically sign him to that kind of contract. However, there's a chance that they'll make a trade that could create some cap space though.

Nathan Horton is looking for a contract with a term of five or six years that pays $6 million per season, a source with knowledge of the talks told CSN New England's Joe Haggerty. Horton is likely to get that type of deal as a free agent, but the 28-year-old winger has made it clear he wants to re-sign with Boston. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli also wanted to retain Horton, who has been absolutely crucial in the playoffs. The only issue is whether the Bruins can clear out enough space to re-sign Horton in a year in which the salary cap is coming down to $64.3 million. If not, Haggerty suggests Boston could target other free-agent wingers like Jaromie Iginla or David Clarkson.

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli wants to keep Nathan Horton in Boston. Horton is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he made $5.5 million in the final year of his deal. The winger only had 13 goals and nine assists in the regular season, but he was excellent in the playoffs with seven goals and 19 points. "I hope so," said Chiarelli. "I've told him that I'd like him to come back. We'll see how it goes."

Nathan Horton's dislocated shoulder will probably require surgery. Boston GM Peter Chiarelli hopes to re-sign Horton, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 5. His procedure could end up buying the Bruins some extra time to try to get him re-signed if other teams shy away from him due to his injury.

Nathan Horton said he was playing with a dislocated shoulder. According to reports, which surfaced after he left Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Horton had been dealing with a chronic shoulder issue since he fought Jarome Iginla on April 20. It wouldn't be surprising if he required surgery, but that's unconfirmed speculation at this point.

Nathan Horton broke down the Stanley Cup Finals fairly simply after the Chicago Blackhawks took a 3-2 series lead. "It's two games," he said. "Throughout the years I'm sure there's been a million teams that have won two games straight. They're coming in, they need to win one and we need to win two and that's it." Horton wasn't part of the Bruins' 3-2 series deficit victory over the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals because he was injured in Game 3. He has seven goals and 19 points in 21 playoff contests going into Game 6, but he's been a bit quiet lately with two assists in his past seven matches.

Perhaps Game 2's almost-certain return was in question, but Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton didn't think he'd sit out all of the remaining 2013 Stanley Cup Final games. "No fear at all," Horton said. "I mean, I knew I was going to play." The soon-to-be free agent could earn himself a nice raise if he keeps up his strong postseason from the first three rounds, so that adds even more incentive than usual to fight through the pain.