Nice article on Howson from the Edmonton Journal

Great read this morning on Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson from the Edmonton Journal:

Scott Howson's first trade was much like the man himself, modest and focused on getting even the smallest job done properly.

The rookie NHL general manager sent Geoff Platt from the Columbus Blue Jackets to Anaheim for Aaron Rome and Clay Wilson on Nov. 15.

"It wasn't a big deal for me," Howson said last week.

It wasn't a big deal outside the players' households either, but you've got to start somewhere. True to his nature, Howson has taken small, careful steps in the first six months on his dream job, and that attention to even the smallest detail has been noticed by other influential members of the Blue Jackets organization.

"It's really a people business. He and his wife, Antoinette, have done things that have really enhanced the hockey club," said head coach Ken Hitchcock. "It's just the way you treat people. Little things you do for the staff and their significant others. I really believe it will make us a lot better."

"His strengths really balance with me. He's a really patient, big-picture guy who sees things in months and years and I fight the daily fight, like all coaches do," said Hitchcock. "Because he was a player at all levels, his ability to understand the team mindset at the end of competition is calming for me. You're able to move past the emotion of the game and that's important for me.

"I really appreciate his evaluation of every situation we're in. We talk about players. Scott watches 95 per cent of our practices, which is helpful to me. Scott spent time in the AHL and he understands development, even better than (coaches) do. He has a clear understanding of where a player is going to go. He's able to see a player's overall hockey sense."

I don't think anyone can complain regarding the job Howson has done thus far. He made some smart pickups this summer in guys like Hejda, Peca and Novotny. He's calm and calculated and he's figuring out this team, its strengths and weaknesses and he's letting his resources like Hitchcock and his staff do their jobs -- something that "other" guy could never do.

Maybe he'll swing a big trade this year or maybe not but I think when the time does come to make a move, whether it be this season or in the offseason, Howson is gonna make the right one.

Much more here.

-LTL