Columbus Blue Jackets: Are Hitch and the Boys Ready for Prime Time?

At the same time, one might counter argue that because of the past history, the Jackets may better be referred to as a three. They have, let’s face it, never played in the post season and in all reality, are one key injury (Steve Mason) away from being a team on the outside looking in. After a 5-0 drubbing last night of the Flames, I am ready to say they may be for real.

Make no mistake about it. Mason is the franchise right now, more so then Nash himself. And while he can’t outright win the game for them, he can certainly hold up his end of the bargain night in and night out, and do virtually everything but.

Additions like the pick up of Chris Gratton went almost unnoticed. No longer the thundering checker who topped out at 62 points twice in his career, Gratton was a good move, if for no other reason then to ensure there was a viable centre should they not make any deadline moves (as they did to acquire Vermette).

Raffi Torres, although injured for the majority of the year, seems to be hitting a bit of a stride now. Recently potting two goals in the last few minutes of a come from behind win over the Panthers, Torres seems to be finding his grip and getting comfortable with his linemates Mike Peca at centre and Andy Murray on the right side.

I often pondered the value of Peca, once seen as a lightening rod who could ignite the fire within his team with a tenacious hit, or even a good scrap often with someone inches taller and pounds heavier. He has surprised me a bit by showing glimmers of that old feisty, gritty player who put fear in the opponents' eyes.

RJ Umberger has fit in nicely. Once a Buckeye in his college days, RJ at 26, is still developing that scoring touch. He isn’t quite Rick Nashthe second yet, but he is certainly capable of some highlight-caliber goals of his own.

Umberger made his mark last year in the playoff as a result of his production with the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Jackets made him a “wanted man” in their eyes. Kristian

Huselius has been everything the team had hoped for. Not quite a point per game guy just yet, Huselius has really bought into Hitchcock’s system and taken an interest in his own two way game. His ability to get back to help out the defense has impressed the coach and no doubt helped buy him an additional shift or two each game as a result.

There were two hot young rookie prospects who were fighting to make the team at the beginning of the season, Jakub Voracekand Derick Brassard. Both played their way onto the team to start the season. Unfortunately for Brassard, in what would be considered a case of pure dumb luck at the 31-game mark, separated his shoulder in what would be his first and last tussle of the 2009 campaign, throwing haymakers with James Neal of the Dallas Stars.  The injury required surgery and relegated him to the sidelines for the remainder of the year.

Make no mistake though, Brassard was the clear number one centre on the team. His return to the lineup next year will solidify a team that, should they be able to re-sign Vermette, will have depth and youth up the middle of the ice that they had been lacking for some time now.

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