Hockey's Future previews Jackets camp

Hockey's Future is a web site that keeps tabs on all the young prospects throughout the world and ranks each's teams group on a sem-annual basis. It also has the best hockey message board around. I will refer to them frequently on this blog.

Recently they published an on-line article taking a look at the Jackets training camp:

This will be Hitchcock's first training camp with the Blue Jackets, and there is a general agreement that he will bring stability to the organization, and that every player on the roster will have to earn his keep with honest effort.

Last season, two prospects made significant contributions to the Jackets, with both forward Gilbert Brule and defender Ole-Kristian Tollefsen making the starting lineup out of training camp.

Another seven rookies played at least one game, with forwards Alexandre Picard and Geoff Platt, and defender Marc Methot suiting up at least 20 games with the youthful Jackets.This season promises to be no different. The Blue Jackets, in spite of several off-season signings, still have many question marks entering the pre-season. In all likelihood there will be several rookies and young prospects breaking into the NHL this season. The good news for Jackets fans is that these rookies will have won their job in tough competition under the watchful eye of Hitchcock, who has a Stanley Cup Ring on his finger.

Forwards

The most pressing battle heading into camp is the battle for the No. 1 center position, where 2006 first rounder Derick Brassard will be given the opportunity to compete for this spot during the early days of training camp. Brassard, who recovered well after losing most of last season to shoulder surgery, will be participating in his first full NHL training camp. He managed 25 points in his 14 QMJHL regular season games last year, and added another 24 points in Drummondville's 12 postseason games. Brassard tied for second on the team's entry at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament in scoring with 5 points.

Defense

The Blue Jackets enter camp with six serviceable defensemen. There will be a battle for the seventh defenseman position, as well as the possibility of several highly-touted prospects proving they are ready to play right away.Two-time WHL Defenseman of the Year and 2006-07 WHL Player of the Year Kris Russell is entering the 2007 training camp with a legitimate chance of nailing down a roster spot. He is certainly expected to see some time in the NHL later on should he not make the team out of camp. Playing with Medicine Hat in the WHL last year, Russell tallied 69 points in 59 games and added another 19 in 24 playoff games. Russell also won his second consecutive gold medal at the WJCs in January. Look for him to be in a Columbus uniform sooner rather than later.

Read on for much much more.

-LTL