The Hockey News Vol. 61 No. 5

Here is the Blue Jackets nuggets from this issue:

Boll won't shy away from nailing idols

Who's theat guy? Early in camp, Jared Boll compared his game to Sean Avery or Dary Tucker.

No, no, said Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock: "I see Rick Tocchet."

That's no small compliment for the 21 year old from Crystal Lake, Ill.

"This kids is smart, he's got still and he's reckless," Hitchock said.

Boll, a fourth round pick in 2005 (101st overall), leapfrogged at least six other wingers to earn a spot on the right side of the fourth line.

His style is exactly what the Jackets are looking for, as they try to shed their long-held reputation as the NHL's softest club. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Boll had three fights in pre-season - and got under the skin of every opponent he faced. The highlight may have been his open-ice flattening of Carolina captain Rob Brind'Amour.

"I grew up watching guys like him," Boll said. "But when I'm on the ice I don't look at nameplates."

This issue also talks a little bit about the center situation and after searching high and low the Jackets came back to Sergei Fedorov. Of course, now we know that really isn't the case as they have moved onto Modin since.

They also look at youngsters that didn't quite make opening night - Brassard checked in at #5:

Derrick Brassard Early chatter had him as top center in Columbus, no Syracuse.

If Brassard keeps his early Syracuse play up her may find himself in Columbus pretty quickly.

That list also included Jiri Tlusty of the Leafs, Cam Barker of the 'hawks, Girorenko of the Wings, Anthony Stewart of the Panthers, Halak of the Canadiens, Skills of the 'hawks, TJ Hensick of the Avalanche, Benouit Pouliot of the Wild and the #1 guy was Kris Letang of the Penguins who almost made the team last year but got cut this season.

-LTL