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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Rome is the odd (D)man out

Rome vs. Methot -- after 3 weeks of camp that was the biggest question that remained as the Jackets looked to trim their roster down to the NHL mandated maximum of 23.

That question has been answered today as Puck-rakers is reporting that Aaron Rome has been put on waivers along with (as expected) the "Macs" Derek MacKenzie and Craig MacDonald.

Derek Dorsett and Nikita Filatov remain with the team as they are waiver in-eligible and can be sent back down to Syracuse at any time to get down to that roster of 23.

The question now becomes will Rome be claimed by any of the 29 remaining teams?

Rome is a 25 year old 230lb defensemen. Here is Forecaster.ca's take on him:

ASSETS: Has excellent size and toughness. Plays a big role and can also put up points at the American Hockey League level.
FLAWS: Doesn't have enough game to log regular ice time at the highest level. Needs to avoid taking bad penalties.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Reserve defenseman.

Both Methot and Rome were so close that it was basically a toss up for me. I thought they would go with Rome as, to me at least, he seemed a bit more polished. It will be interesting to hear what the deciding factor was between the two.

A reader pointed out this article from the STLToday.com which certainly had some interesting thoughts on the Jackets:

Perhaps the most intriguing prospect, though, is Blue Jackets winger Nikita Filatov. The sixth overall pick needs to bulk up and gain some understanding of defensive zone play, but his offensive upside is vast.

Had he stayed healthy through training camp, he might be closer to making the jump. But coach Ken Hitchcock has his hands full getting skilled rookies Derek Brassard and Jakub Voracek up to speed for this season.

“What’s really unfortunate for Nikky is he missed most of camp,” Hitchcock told the Columbus Dispatch. “If he had a full training camp and gotten here earlier, he might be twice the player he is now.

“You can see marked improvement every time he steps on the ice . . . He’s just scratching the surface on what we think is going to be a heck of a player.”

If the Blue Jackets kids come through, Columbus will be a whole lot better than most experts believe. And the same could be said of the Blues IF both Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie sustain their push.


I agree. I think most "experts" are over looking the impact rookies could have on both of these squads.

Per reader request I have done a little research on the production from the top 10 picks in this year's draft in pre-season:

1. Stamkos
4gp 1g 2a 3p 0+/- 0PIM

2. Doughty
7gp 1g 0a 0p 1+/- 0PIM

3. Bogosian
4gp 0g 0a 0p -3+/- 8PIM

4. Petriangelo
5gp 0g 5a 0p -3+/- 0PIM

5. Schenn
7gp 1g 0a 1p 3+/- 2PIM

6. Filatov
2gp 1g 0a 0p 0+/- 2PIM

7. Wilson
Did not play to retain college eligibility

8. Boedker
7gp 2g 3a 5p 0+/- 2PIM

9. Bailey
1gp 0g 0a 0p 0+/- 0PIM

10. Hogdson
3gp 0g 1a 0p -1+/- TBDPIM

Nice stats indeed for Petriangelo with 5 helpers in 5 games. A +3 for Schenn in 7 games on that Toronto team that gives up goals by the bushals is impressive as well. Boedker also made an impact and from what I'm hearing will open the season in Phoenix's top 6. You really have to wonder what Filatov could have done with a full pre-season.

Speaking of Filatov. According to this message board, the Russians want 150 grand to sign his release to Sudbury. If true I can't see them paying that kind of coin so its looks like the AHL or NHL for the young blue chipper.

He's also got a new blog entry up here.

Per the heads up of another reader (thanks!) TSN is reporting that the Edmonton Oilers have sent Gilbert Brule to their AHL affiliate. Brule went scoreless this pre-season in 4 games.

-LTL

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

LTL- Any chance you could explain why Mason has not been cut yet?

LTL said...

I think Mason is classified as "injured reserve" thus no decision has to be made on him until he becomes "active" again. At that point he'll most certainly be sent down to Syracuse.

He'll be on the first year of his entry deal so he won't be waiver eligible for another 3 years.

Hope that helps.

-LTL

Anonymous said...

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/bob_mckenzie/?id=251952

According to Bob McKenzie the best case scenario is a "couple of weeks" on the Filatov transfer, and that they could send him to Syracuse until the transfer comes through and then send him down to Sudbury. Of course he's writing about this from the Canadian point of view.

LTL said...

Excellent read and find anonymous. Thanks for pointing that one out!

-LTL