The Blue Jackets have made five training camp cuts -- forwards Kirill Starkov, Adam Pineault and Geoff Platt, defenseman Mikko Maenpaa and goaltender Dan LaCosta. All five were sent to Syracuse.
Geoff Platt (pictured above right) is probably the guy that sticks out most in this group. He's a been a Cinderella story ever since he turned pro in 2005-2006 signing as an undrafted free agent out of the Ontario Hockey League to play with the ECHL's Dayton Bombers which is Columbus affiliate. He quickly turned heads at the Traverse City Tournament earning a Syracuse Crunch contract and a full time ticket to the AHL and even making it all the way to the NHL level that year (he played in 15 games w/ 5 assists).
Unfortunately for Platt the Jackets prospect pipeline has improved and it appears guys like Derick Brassard have passed him on the center depth chart. Platt is a fighter though, he'll go back to Syracuse and further his case. I wouldn't be surprised to see Platt back up sometime this year if he continues to light up the AHL like he's been doing the past two years. He needs to work on his defensive game and become even stronger on the puck though.
I wasn't expecting Mikko Maenpaa to stick with the big club in his first year over top play in North America from Finland. What I am surprised by is just how much better he's looked since prospect camp until now. He's an offensive defensemen but in just two months time seems to have developed dramatically. It will be interesting to see how he does for the Crunch this year.
Forwards Starkov and Pineault as well as goaltender Dan Lacosta all need to bake longer in the system before being ready for the big time.
Still more cuts to go before getting down to a roster of 22 to 23 players. The roster stands now at 36.
-LTL
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