Four more cuts

Just a couple of nuggets I've read throughout the hockey media today:

The Jackets assigned four more players today according to their web site. Sestito, Pineault, Clitsome and Wilson will be heading back down. I believe the only one that has to clear waivers is Wilson.

On 'D' I think Tollefsen's pretty much a lock for the 7th d-man so that leaves Rome, Methot and Matvichuk to battle for that final spot. I think out of the 3 my money is on Rome earning the spot.

In terms of the forwards it looks like the Jackets will carry 1 extra forward so with Sestito and Pineault headed back down so that leaves Picard, Dorsett MacDonald and MacKenzie left to compete to for that spot. I believe all but Dorsett are waiver eligible. I think this one is down to Picard or Dorsett.

I figure all boarderline guys still left should see action tomorrow night in Toronto.

CBSSports.com has released their first power rankings of the season (I do plan to continue the Jackets power rankings "meta score" this season). The Jackets check in at #22 on Goldstein's list:

Rick Nash will have a better supporting cast around him, enough for the Jackets to get serious about a playoff spot, perhaps.

Not a horrible way to start.

I thought this artcile about support in Buffalo from THN warranted a mention here:

I was perusing the Team Reports for an upcoming issue of The Hockey News (the old-school paper version, that is) when I was struck by a sense of optimism in many quarters of the NHL.

Our themed category was Market Buzz and while there are notable pockets of pessimism, skies are blue, waters are still and acne has cleared in a surprising number of locales. And, no, Gary Bettman didn’t author the team stories.

In places such as Chicago, Anaheim, Atlanta, Columbus, Boston, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Washington (and all of Canada, of course) there is a belief among our correspondents that excitement is high in the markets they cover, never mind this is prime time for MLB playoffs, the NFL season is in full swing and the global economy is in a free-fall.

Sportsnet.ca has an in depth season preview published on their web site. They have the Jackets finishing 4th in the central division behind Nashville and the 'hawks. Here is some of what they had to day:

What to Expect: Lots of people predicting playoffs for the first time ever, we are not among them. Jackets were the lowest-scoring team in the NHL last season and the loss of Nikolai Zherdev (to the Rangers) won't make it better even if the defensive play improves.

Cap Issues: Still shy of $50 million in payroll and still utterly dependent on revenue sharing, Blue Jackets must watch the bottom line even though there is win-now mentality coming from the hockey department. If they are close, ownership might add to the bottom line, but it remains questionable as to where the money will come from.

On the Hot Seat: No one can blame former GM and President Doug McLean any longer, especially when Howson dismantled his team so everyone needs to answer for this season, but if this team doesn't make the playoffs look for someone to pay the price.

Frankly its amazing how much over-rating goes on with Zherdev. Also no mention of the kids. They also call "Blackman" a "stay at home type". Moving on.

Check out this headline on NBCSports.com....

It's not just the Sid and Alex show anymore
'Hawks' Kane and Toews, Jackets' Nash among crop of great youngsters

The article talks about all the young guys in the league now with Staal, Kopitar, and Phaneuf. Here is the piece about Nash:

Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets certainly fits comfortably in this stable of young talent. At 24, he has 154 goals and 276 points. His next step will be a postseason appearance, and that could be coming soon from the improving Blue Jackets, who are the only NHL team not to have made the playoffs.

Here is NBC's take on the Jackets in their season preview:

Outlook: The only NHL team never to appear in the playoffs, the Blue Jackets keep shuffling the deck chairs, but sink all the same. Another year brings more change and an improved defense, but minus three of their top 2007-08 scorers, they'll struggle to light the lamp.

No mention of Brass or Voracek again instead they go with Filatov....and no, I didn't write that last part!

Just finished watching some of the Rangers/Lightning game. Decent game from Z (at least from what I saw of it) but no points although they did get the win. Fritsche didn't play so not sure what's going on there whether it be an injury or a healthy scratch. I'll tell you what though, this Stamkos kid is going to be a really good if not great player. I thought he looked fantastic!

-LTL