All-Blogs.net directory Light the Lamp - a Columbus Blue Jackets blog: This and that

Countdown to Rick Nash's contract expiration:

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

This and that

Did you know that if that Jackets miss the playoffs this season they will tie the Washington Capitals for the longest stretch an NHL franchise has ever gone without making the postseason at 8 years?

Ryan Malone has exactly 1 point, a goal, through 8 games. Looks like RJ isn't the only struggling early with his new squad.

It took first overall pick Steven Stamkos 8 games to register his first point. I saw last night on TSN that it took 1997 1st overall pick Joe Thornton 22 games to register his first point.

The Syracuse Crunch play tonight away at Grand Rapids. Its anticipated that both Kris Russell and Nikita Filatov will be in the lineup. According to Lindsay Kramer's Crunch blog they both practiced with the team yesterday. I tell ya what, they have some exciting young talent in that lineup when you mix in Mayorov, Mason, Sestito, Holden and Clitsome.

Matt Bartkowski, a freshman defenseman on the Ohio State men’s hockey team has been named the CCHA Rookie of the Week, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced Monday. I believe that is two weeks in a row an Ohio State freshman has captured that honor - Zac Dalpe was the previous recipient.

Speaking of Sestito, he will not need surgery on his injured thumb which is good news.

Nash still at center today according to Puck-rakers. Chimera has been moved off the Brass line to join he and Huseilus. Remember Hitch likes his pairs so that obviously means he's okay with the rooks playing together and is keeping Nash with Huselius. Complete lines as follows:

Chimera-Nash-Huselius
Umberger-Brassard-Voracek
]Novotny-Peca-Boll
Murray-Malhotra-Dorsett

No word on the defensive pairs but I wouldn't anticipate those being broken up. Re-watching Monday's game last night I thought Tyutin played his best regular season game to date which is encouraging.

Rookie watch. Derick Brassard and Voracek are tied for 2nd in rookie scoring with 7 points. They are 1 point off Kris Verteeg of the 'hawks pace. Brass is averaging 14 minutes even in ice time while Voracek is at 12:19.

Sergei Fedorov has 8 point in 9 games with 3 of those coming on defense. Maybe it is a Columbus thing?

The Jackets have scored 4 total goals in the last 3 games.

Its down the stretch they come in the Russell poll. So far 38% of you think its a "raw deal" while 33% of you think "he just needs some time" in terms of his demotion. Thanks for participating!

Hockey's Future has a 2008 Blue Jackets System Audit. Check it out here.

Forbes ranks the Jackets as the 28th least valuable NHL team coming in at 157 million dollars. Only the New York Islanders and Phoenix Coyotes are worse.

-LTL

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

does howson have mats sundin cell number...?

i hope so

Anonymous said...

Glad we didnt get malone with the players hes got in Tampa and only 1 point gald there playing fantasy hockey there what a waste of a player.

Anonymous said...

i know we were bringing up ideas for a center on a previous post but last night i saw something that caught my eye...

it seems pittsburgh has grown a little tired of JORDAN STAAL'S lack of production since his AMAZING rookie year...

why not see if we can snag him for one of our top defensemen or prospects or vet meaning ( MODIN,HEJDA,KLESLA,RUSSELL)

LTL said...

Jordan Staal would certainly be an interesting possibility. I would imagine Pitt would want scoring back, preferably a winger.

My guess is the conversation starts with Filatov and the Jackets would politely decline.

Certainly worth checking into. My guess is that Howson is burning up the phone lines but won't sacrafice any of his blue chippers -- and judging by the early play of Brass and Voracek, isn't a bad thing.

I'm with you though, if we can bring some help in for a Modin, Klesla, OKT, draft picks then I think you have to make a move.

-LTL