As word of a contract extension for left winger Vinny Prospal made the rounds yesterday morning at the Blue Jackets’ optional team practice, Prospal’s teammates processed the news.

Most smiled, nodded and wanted to know more.

How long is the deal? Good for him. For how much? I wonder what will happen next.

The unexpected one-year, $2.5 million extension for Prospal, who turns 37 on Feb. 17 and would have been an unrestricted free agent after the season, was a reminder that the retooling of the NHL’s worst team has begun and that the fate of almost every player in the dressing room is uncertain.

Goaltender Curtis Sanford, also a soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, said he had no inkling of where his future might lie. Sanford, like most of his teammates, could be traded tomorrow.

“There hasn’t been anything said to me,” Sanford said. “There are still 30 games left. The trade deadline is in less than three weeks. I think a lot of things are up in the air with a lot of guys, not only in this dressing room but in a lot of dressing rooms around the league.”

Sanford, who was signed to spend the season in minor-league Springfield as an emergency option for the Blue Jackets, has instead rejuvenated his career with 10 wins, only three fewer than his career high in 2005-06 with St. Louis. He spent the previous two seasons with minor-league Hamilton but said he hopes he has done enough to earn another season in the NHL.

“I hope I’ve proven myself,” Sanford said. “But you know how this league is. You have to prove yourself every day to stay.”

Trade rumors continue to swirl around center Jeff Carter and even captain Rick Nash. Other veterans, free agents or not, could be moved, as well, depending on how extensive the makeover will be.

“The next two weeks are going to be a big two weeks,” interim coach Todd Richards said.

General manager Scott Howson said the retention of Prospal does not signal that the Blue Jackets have decided against a multiyear rebuild with an overhauled roster.

“It doesn’t change that at all,” Howson said. “He’s going to be here either way.”

Defenseman James Wisniewski isn’t likely to go anywhere; he has a modified no-trade clause in his contract that runs through 2017. But Wisniewski, who practiced yesterday and is expected to return from an ankle injury next week, said the uncertainty that will intensify this month is a fact of life in the NHL.

“It’s just been a fluke of a season,” Wisniewski said. “Unfortunately, things have to change. You can’t just sit there and say, ‘Maybe next year.’ It’s not high-school baseball. The toughest thing is seeing guys go. And then bringing new guys, you don’t know how they’re going to mesh. But that’s part of the business. We live with it, and you just have to roll with it.”

Up and back?

Rookie defenseman David Savard had the finest offensive night of his career on Tuesday when he scored his first goal and had an assist in a 3-1 win over Minnesota. But he might soon find himself back with Springfield, as Wisniewski and Nikita Nikitin (left knee) are on the verge of returning from injuries.

Savard has six assists and an even plus/minus rating in 18 games.

“We’re playing pretty good right now, but we have some big impact players coming back,” Richards said. “As a coach, you’re going to have to make decisions, and I think players understand that.”

Commissioner in town

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is scheduled to be in town today and will meet with the media before watching tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars in Nationwide Arena.

smitchell@dispatch.com