All-Blogs.net directory Light the Lamp - a Columbus Blue Jackets blog: Week 20 Power Rankings - free falling

Countdown to Rick Nash's contract expiration:

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Week 20 Power Rankings - free falling

TSN.ca - down 1 to 19
With just two wins in their last ten games, the Blue Jackets are approaching seller status and there are some intriguing UFAs-to-be here including Sergei Fedorov, Adam Foote, Michael Peca, David Vyborny and Ron Hainsey.

CBC.ca - up 1 to 19
A playoff spot means everything to this franchise.

THN.com - down 5 to 25
Although the Blue Jackets still have a mathematical chance at the playoffs, expect rookie GM Scott Howson to start dealing veterans for picks and prospects.

Yahoo.com - down 2 to 23
Under new management – GM Scott Howson and coach Ken Hitchcock – there is a clear direction for the 8-year-old franchise. And even if a first postseason appearance isn’t in the offing this spring, with the young talent on the roster, the expensive pieces about to come off of it (Sergei Fedorov and Adam Foote), and the $10 million in space under the cap, Columbus is positioned for a much better future.

ESPN.com - down 2 to 23
Will this be the last week fans see Sergei Fedorov in a Blue Jackets jersey?

FoxSports.com - down 5 to 24
The Blue Jackets went into Week 20 playing terrible hockey and came out the same way. The team dropped two of the three games it played last week, giving Columbus only two victories in its last 10 games. The two losses in three games also caused the Jackets to fall five places in the rankings.

CBSSports.com - down 5 to 27
Sergei Fedorov returned from his concussion Sunday, which should give the Jackets just enough time to showcase him for a trade.

CNNSI.com - stays put at 27
They're only a few points out of a playoff spot, but it's hard to imagine them making a big push down the stretch. Columbus, just 2-5-3 since the All-Star break, continues to get burned by its 4th-ranked penalty-kill unit, which has allowed at least one goal in six straight -- including three Sunday to the Blues' bottom-ranked power play.

Average Score: 23.375 (last week 21)

Anyone remember when we were in the top 10 in most of these rankings....? My what a long time ago.

Once again the Canadian sites have us ranked the highest with TSN and CBC putting us at 19. Once again CBSports along with CNNSI have us ranked the lowest at 27. Still baffling how they have teams ranked ahead of us with under an .500 record but whatever.

The fact of the matter the Jackets have only won 3 games since the All Star Break hence the free fall. They'll look to notch another win tonight in Montreal to end their 5 game road trip.

-LTL

No comments: