Week 22 Power Rankings - one step forward, two steps back

TSN.ca - down two to 21
The Blue Jackets haven't scored a power play goal in seven games and shedding veterans Adam Foote and Sergei Fedorov should signal yet another cry of "Wait 'til next year."

CBC.ca - down 5 to 24
It was a nice run while it lasted.

CBSSports.com - down 2 to 22
Columbus didn't have enough to offer for Brad Richards and otherwise got little more than salary savings at the deadline, which means it's time to wait until next season again.

FoxSports.com - up 1 to 22
(.522) Columbus picked up at least a point in two of its three games last week, which allowed the club to move up one place in the rankings. Jason Chimera scored a goal in two straight games, helping the Blue Jackets pick up one win and one shootout loss in Week 22.

ESPN.com - stays put at 23
After finishing up a brutal road stretch (the Jackets played eight of their past nine on the road), Columbus looks forward to coming home.

Yahoo.com - up 2 to 24
No question here what a huge difference Ken Hitchcock has made with a franchise that’s still looking to reach the playoffs for the first time. They’re likely going to miss again, but like Murray in St. Louis, Hitchcock has instilled previously missing ingredients for success, mainly defensive awareness and accountability for Columbus’ young stars.

THN.com - down 1 to 22
With the playoffs within reach, rookie GM Scott Howson decided to move veterans Sergei Fedorov and Adam Foote at the deadline. Tough call, but one that puts his imprint on the organization and will serve the team well in the future.

CNNSI.com - up 3 to 19
It took a while, but it looks like at least one line is building some chemisty. Nikolai Zherdev and Jason Chimera have been together for about 15 games and combined for nine goals and eight assists. If Columbus, just a few points out of the eighth spot, is going to make the playoffs, it needs to take care of business in the Central, where it plays 11 of its final 15 games.

Average Score: 22.13 (last week 21.5)

This team just cannot get anywhere.....in fact most sites had them drop a little in the standings and have the Jackets pretty much out of it at this point.

Believe it or not CNNSI actually has the Jackets rated the highest at 19 while the good ole days at the Canadian sites CBC and TSN have come to end....CBC has us ranked the lowest with Yahoo at 24.

-LTL