Peca trade bait? THN's Proteau comments on the possibility.

On its own, the signing of Michael Peca won’t get the Columbus Blue Jackets into the post-season. What it will do is make the team’s dressing room a more focused, professional environment, which should help the team’s young players develop faster.That said, if Peca is still with the Blue Jackets after the trade deadline, I’d be shocked. There is certainly value in older players like him, but an increasing part of that value seems to be as a late-season playoff rental.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/en/news/news.asp?idNews=25695

Once again another hockey writer panning the Jackets chances at the playoffs before the season even starts. Wasn't this the same publication that picked essentially the same Jackets team to make the postseason last year? A Jackets team that trimmed some fat in Berard, Carter and AJ and a Jackets team that added competent management, coaching as well as NHL depth at forward and defense. This is a classic case of burn me once, shame on you, burn me twice, shame on me. The Jackets are gonna have to prove their worth where it counts - on the ice - b/c we know all to well that paper lineups aren't good for anything but speculation and predictions in September.

So now that I have that off my chest he does make a good point with Peca and his worth at the deadline. Should the Jackets find themselves in familiar territory and out of the playoff hunt they will have plenty of attractive pieces to sell off at the deadline in the aforementioned Michael Peca as well as Adam Foote and Sergei Fedorov.

The question I have is what if the Jackets are still in the hunt - do they sell them off anyways? I say no to Adam Foote - his experience and leadership will be valued to much as they make a push but I think Sergei Fedorov is a goner regardless. As far as Peca, we'll have to wait and see how he performs but one would have to assume that Peca was well aware when he signed that he'd probably get moved at the deadline to a playoff team if the Jackets are out of it and quite frankly I think he's fine with that. Afterall his career is winding down and unlike Foote and Fedorov - Peca is still seeking that first Cup.

-LTL