TSN.ca
Rank: 15 (+5)
This could finally be the turning point for the Blue Jackets franchise, having an elite goaltender and then being able to recall Nikita Filatov, who scored a hat trick as a fill-in for injured star Rick Nash.
Sportsnet.ca
Rank: 17 (-1)
Rookie Steve Mason made 12 saves on Alexander Ovechkin (45 saves altogether) in a stunning 3-0 win over the Capitals in Washington Friday.
Yahoo.com
Rank: 18 (+2)
Get past the fact the team and city is desperate for a playoff qualifier and in search of a No. 1 center, and you’ll see that Ken Hitchcock’s defense-first system is taking hold and the story of 20-year-old Steve Mason in goal is one of the best of the season. There’s still time for a second-half run.
ESPN.com
Rank: 19 (unchanged)
Steve Mason ... game-saving rookie superhero.
FoxSports.com
Rank: 19 (unchanged)
The Blue Jackets won two of three games in Week 14, but they may be in for a rough stretch. The club opened up Week 15 by placing its leading scorer Rick Nash on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 6.
CBC.ca
Rank: 15 (+4)
Mason has helped them get on track.
THN.com
Rank: 13 (+4)
Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle, who'll be on the move at some point, would be a nice addition to the league's worst power play
ColumbusDispatch.com
Rank: 16 (+3)
Big game vs. the Avs on Tuesday even if Adam Foote doesn't play; the winner gets eighth place.
CBSSports.com
Rank: 16 (+2)
Still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but the Jackets need more from the power play which is the worst in the league.
Meta-score: 16.4 (last week 22.13)
The Hockey News comes in the highest at 13 while FoxSports and ESPN come in at the lowest at 19. The prevailing message are that the Jackets are very much still in the mix, Mason is legit and the PP needs help.
No doubt the Jackets are on the rise.
-LTL
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Week 14 Power Rankings: Jackets leap
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8 comments:
Like those pundits are telling us something we don't already know. Unfortunately for them, they can't grasp the intangibles they we have come to know and love about OUR Blue Jackets!
Blue collar team, indeed!!!
Carry The Flag!
In case you were wondering, Sanford cleared waivers and was assigned to the Canucks AHL team.
How the crap does sportnet have us DROP a point? WOW.
Trade rumors
LTL do you think LeClaire will be on the move?
It doesn't make sense they wouldn't go after Sanford.
We need a back up especially fighting for the playoffs.
Mason will need a few nights off. Ask Buffalo how it worked out for them when they started Ryan Miller 75 games last year.
Perhaps LeClaire and Klesla are heading to Ottawa? Ottawa likes Klesla and is in need of goaltending.
Question is who do we get in return.
Maybe Eklund isn't crazy, that would free up $5.4 million.
Our backup becomes Gerber who is a throw in.
Thoughts?
Forget Gerber as the backup I didn't realize he makes $3.7 million.
These are just thoughts.
I think Howson has two (2) moves left, just not sure what they will be.
Getting some love from ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3835865&name=lebrun_pierre
Hey, Mase is getting some love from Spector's (foxsports.com) rankings of the Top 10 players in the NHL. Here ya go:
Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
No other rookie this season has made as big a splash as young Mason. Called up in early November, Mason has been the most dominant goaltender of the half-season, leading the league in goals-against average (1.75), save percentage (.938) and shutouts (6) in 25 games. Those stats aren't just worthy of rookie of the year consideration but also of the Vezina trophy as the league's top goaltender. Not only could Mason be in line to win those awards but if he keeps up his stellar play, he could carry the Blue Jackets into the playoffs for the first time.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/pgStory?contentId=9077736#sport=NHL&photo=9077668
Found this about the Williams trade over on From The Rink (James Mirtle):
"...Williams will get plenty of ice with quality linemates on the top unit. He did a nice job in Chicago playing the point, and the Blue Jackets are really light on puck movers on the back end, so expect him to reprise that role and start putting up points immediately.
For a team in the thick of the playoff race (and unable to take on major salaries), this is a good move."
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