Columbus Blue Jackets: Playoff Bound in 2008-09

Everyone is great at something.

Some people are great artists. Put them in front of a wall, give them some spray paint, and they create magic.

With others, it’s cooking. They don’t need a recipe, they don’t need measuring cups. Just some ingredients, some fire, and they can prepare a meal fit for a king.

Well, the Jackets are great at something as well. They’re great at being average.

The salary cap helps to significantly level the playing field and ultimately negates the ability for wealthy owners to simply buy championships. The intangibles become what makes a good team great, and what makes a great team a Stanley Cup Champion.

Not only is there an upper limit under which your players cumulative salaries must not surpass, there is even a lower limit, forcing even the most penny-pinching of owners to spend some of their cash.

With all due respect to the late John H McConnell (sidenote: I rode the elevator with him after a Jackets game back in 2000, and he found it hilarious that my wife’s jersey had the C while mine sported the A), the purse strings have simply been much too tight. The Jackets were never any higher then 24th in the league in terms of money spent on player salaries in a given season.

I must stress that one does not assume that a higher payroll in and of itself makes a team better, more competitive, or more likely to win a game. But there absolutely is a correlation between how much a team spends and where they finish in the standings.

Sure, each year there is usually a high-priced team or two who tank and fall flat on their face. At the other end of the spectrum, there is that ragtag, vagabond team of outcasts and misfits that is able to somehow sneak into the playoffs and gets through a round or two.

But at the end of the day, let’s be honest. For the most part, you get what you pay for. Talent wins championships.

What is a bit baffling in the Blue Jackets' case is how the owners and coaching staff seem truly befuddled each and every time they go through a five or six-game losing streak (one of many each year). On top of that, they seem genuinely shocked when many of the games result in a shutout for the other team.

So what makes anyone think that things will be different during the 2008-09 season? Why should I buy what Scott Howson and Ken Hitchcock are selling THIS year?

I must confess, the team does have a different look to it. Given their relatively brief history in the league, the Jackets' facelift during this offseason has probably been the most significant to date.

So we all agree, they’re different, no doubt about that. But are they a better team? Will the notable new faces be enough? Will the talent they put on the ice truly be able to compete with their opponents night after night?

Can they not only shake that playoff monkey off their back, but really have a shot at the most coveted prize in professional sports, the Stanley Cup? Let’s start in the net and work our way out.

No surprise in goal—it’s the returning superstar Pascal LeClaire, who recently re-signed for three years at an impressive $11.4 million. After going down to injury during 2006-07 season, he settled in last year and served up nine shutouts, second in the league behind the Rangers Henrik Lundqvist (10).

LeClaire played in 54 games, and posted a 2.25 GAA, which was seventh in the NHL. His .919 save percentage also put him among the league leaders. 

LeClaire overcame what the sophomore jinx so many young goaltenders succumb to and solidified his job as the number one starter. Alongside him was the elder statesmen, Frederik Norrena.

In 2006-07, Norrena stepped in when LeClaire went down, and performed admirably under the pressure. In fact, to his credit he became the first Jackets goaltender to finish with more wins then losses (24-23-0-3).

It will be interesting to see what the Jackets do this year. LeClaire is the clear number one. But they also have a plethora of young talent down on the farm.

Leading the pack is Steve Mason, the stellar netminder from the World Juniors. This kid has a big frame, and his ability to control rebounds is outstanding. He was briefly called up to the Jackets late in the season, but never saw any ice time.

It may just be a bit too early for Mason to handle the pressure. However, if he comes into camp and impresses, he may make a real case to stay with the team to start the season.

Moving out from the crease, we have our first taste of new blood in 28-year-old Mike Commodore. Back in February, he joined the Senators in a trade that saw him and Corey Stillman head to the Sens, while in return the Hurricanes received Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves.

After an uninspired finish to the season and dismal playoff performance with the Sens, Commodore was nabbed from the free-agent list by Columbus with a five-year deal. He immediately becomes the anchor for a sluggish defense corps, who have become notorious for being slow to move the puck and prone to costly turnovers.

At 6’5” and 228 lbs., Commodore is a mountain of a man. Don’t let the Ronald MacDonald hair fool you. If you find yourself in his crosshairs, eating through a straw for the next four weeks may be a real possibility for you.

Columbus’ original first-round selection (fourth overall) in the 2000 entry draft, Rostislav Klesla played in all 82 games last year, and racked up six goals and 12 assists in the process.

“Rusty”, now 6’3” and 220 lbs., has become a leader in the locker room and on the ice. At 26, he is clearly one of the top-two blueliners and ranked second on the team in ice time at 22:54. He continues to improve, and no doubt his best years still lie ahead of him.

Jan Hejda is a big Czech who quietly patrols the blue line, and has great hockey sense when it comes time to support the rush. His plus-20 is miles ahead of his closest teammate (Klesla, at plus-seven).

Hejda plays mistake-free hockey, and is extremely savvy about knowing when it’s time to lay a thundering hit or to dump the puck in the corner for a change. Hejda has been a great addition to the team, and with his focus on responsibility in his own zone, he can definitely become his goalie’s best friend.

A big blow to the defense corps came when Ron Hainsey signed with the Atlanta Thrashers. Hainsey had developed into a solid two-way player who was fourth on the team with in both points (32) and shots taken (161). He was also third in ice time, averaging 22:53 a game.

The Jackets need to shop the market to fill this hole. Guys like Aaron Rome and Clay Wilson (both in Syracuse and often on the bubble) are clearly going to be fighting for a spot on the roster, but neither will likely be ready to fill the role vacated by a player of Hainsey’s caliber.

The Jackets are relatively sound up the middle—however, many would argue that they are deepest on the wings. Case in point? Three-time All-Star Rick Nash, a workhorse who dominates the game each and every shift.

Nash is strong on the outside and almost unstoppable when he puts his head down and drives the net. I believe he is capable of putting up better numbers.

He’s fourth on the team in ice time, and first among forwards. His 38 goals and 31 assists are certainly not paltry, but given his highlight-reel goals, one wonders why he doesn’t rack up more points.

Nash's defensive skills were once to blame, but he has clearly gotten better on the backcheck and in his own zone. In all fairness, he isn’t exactly surrounded by a cast of All-Stars.

That being said, Nash needs to step up even further this year and carry this team on his back. If he is to be regarded as one of the greats of his time—and I think he is capable of it—he needs to do more.

Hopefully Hitchcock will shorten his bench more frequently, and play Nash at every opportunity.

In one of the biggest offseasonmoves thus far, the Jackets sent centre Gilbert Brule to the Edmonton Oilers for left winger Raffi Torres.

Torres, a 26-year old originally hailing from Toronto, is coming off of a season in which a knee injury restricted him to 32 games. In 22 career NHL playoff games, he has 11 points.

Gilbert Brule had been seeing some time in the AHL, and was in some ways simply a victim of circumstance, as Columbus is deep at the centre ice position.

Brule is about two or three years away from being at his peak while Torres is arguably in his prime. To Howson’s credit, making this type of move may buy some loyalty from the Jacket faithful, as the intended message appears to be “we want players at their peak now.”

The other significant acquisition—which seemingly drew little notice—was the signing of Kristian Huselius, who previously played for the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers. His 55 points in 81 games last year would be a welcome addition to a team starved for scoring talent.

Adding Huselius into the lineup means Hitchcock should have plenty of different line combinations to throw at the opposition, with one or more legitimate scoring threats on the ice each and every shift.

The biggest loss to the team came in the departure of Nickoli Zherdev. He, along with Dan Fritsche, was traded to the New York Rangers for defensemen Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin.

The embattled center had recently suffered through a contract dispute. During this time, management indicated that they were not happy with his performance and felt he was not playing to his full potential. Whether this played a part in his ultimate relocation is not clear.

Prior to the beginning of last season, Ken Hitchcock met with Zherdev, and both agreed to put any past issues aside and focus on hockey. The result was a re-ignited player who went on to have an outstanding season. Unfortunately for the Jackets, something changed, and his services will now be rendered for the NY Rangers.

David Vyborny will also not be with the team this season. He was an original Jacket who patrolled the right-wing position. Last year, however, his game seemed to disappear, and he only put up 26 points in 66 games.

In all fairness, he was playing with injuries. Prior to that point in his career, his durability was relatively unparalleled—in fact, he has missed just 15 of 492 games during his career with the Blue Jackets.

Vyborny, 33 years old, has signed to play with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga this upcoming season. The Jackets, as a result, grow a little younger.

Up the middle, the Jackets made at least one significant move. The splash heard throughout the Midwest involved the signing of RJ Umburger away from the Philadelphia Flyers.

For those who were paying attention, Umberger put together an amazing run in the playoffs, tallying 10 goals and five assists in 17 games. He and Biron stole the show for the Flyers, and he was a big reason they drove as deep into the postseason as they did.

In 74 regular-season games he also put up respectable numbers (13 goals, 37 assists) for a team that often reverted to physical, old-style play as opposed to finesse and skill.

A Pittsburgh native, RJ brings to the team skill, youth (he’s only 26), and a desire to compete. The "hometown boy" (having played his college puck for the Ohio State Buckeyes of the CCHA) will have every opportunity to succeed, as Hitchcock will no doubt be casting him in the role of first-line center.

Michael Peca is back, although given his age and frailty one might wonder if re-signing him was a good move or not. He’s no doubt a character player, but anyone who has watched his game over the last year or two can see he is a step slower, and seems to have lost the passion he once played with.

He also appears to be less willing to deliver that thundering hit, and he just isn’t getting those bounces that translate into goals and wins as he once did.

If Peca can find a way to re-invigorate himself, then he may end up being a key piece of the puzzle in terms of building a contender. If not, expect to see him riding the bench a lot more as games wear on into the third period.

Jiri Novotny is a player who may surprise many. He has logged time with the Capitals and Sabres, but is getting his real shot to perform in a full-time role with the Jackets.

At age 24, he is another young talent with nothing but opportunity waiting ahead for him. With a taskmaster like Hitchcock at the helm, Novotny may just bloom into that second-line winger who puts up 50 to 60 points a season.

There are a couple of young stars that have an opportunity to make the team “birth by fire” style. Jakuv Voracek, the Jackets' top pick in 2007, is a European winger who has adapted quite well to the North American style of hockey. 

Voracek can bang and crash in the corners and has the ability to play in traffic. He was named the top offensive rookie in the QMJHL in 2007 and his game is very uptempo.

The other possibility is Nikita Filatov, chosen in this year's draft. This Russian winger was scouted as being the top European player in the draft, and the Jackets were very lucky to have him as their selection. 

Filatov has size, skill—and above all else, speed. In 34 games for his Moscow team (equivalent to the OHL/QMJHL/WHL), he put up 32 goals and 24 assists, just shy of avergaing two points per game.

Of the two rookies, Voracek is the best bet to make the squad this year.

This season is clearly a make or break year. Unless the Jackets drive deep into the playoffs, expect to see a big shakeup within the team.

Columbus has rotated through a few coaches now (MacLean, Gallant, King), so the next domino to fall likely will not be that of Ken Hitchcock. Scott Howson has made some bold statements that he will be held accountable for.

Let’s face it, the teams that were put on the ice the first eight years performed to expectations—or perhaps better stated, performed to the skill level on the team. To date, the Jackets have had a sprinkling of All-Star talent (LeClaire, Nash), but for the most part, have gotten by on the “grind it out, work hard, and get some bounces” approach personified by journeymen like Kevin Dineen and Tyler Wright.

There has always been cap room available—but no one has made use of it to acquire the assets needed to put a winner on the ice.

Heading into the 2008-09 season, the Jackets have room under the salary cap left to dabble in free agency. There are still a variety of free agents out there.

I like what the Jackets have done up front. I think they are a move or two away, but I think they did address some of their major concerns, such as providing Nash with some support in the form of guys like Umberger and Huselius.

Where I think they still need some help is on the back end, and there are still a multitude of guys available. In no particular order, the following, depending on the structure of a contract, would all be welcome additions to the roster:

• Aaron Ward D (BOS)
  
• Dennis Wideman D (BOS)
  
• James Wisniewski D (CHI)
  
• Jon Klemm D (LA)
  
• Sean Hill D (MIN)
  
• Sheldon Brookbank D (NJ)
  
• Marek Malik D (NYR)
  
• Paul Mara D (NYR)
  
• Andy Wozniewski D (TOR)

The 2008/2009 season will be a defining one for Columbus. Scott Howson has started putting the pieces together to have a competitive team.

There are probably still some skill players to add, and there is clearly a need for some additional help back on the blue line.

But with the additions up front in the offseason thus far (including Umberger, Torres, and Huselius), the possibility of either their 2007 (Voracek) or 2008 (Filatov) draft pick making the team, and some reinforcements on the backend (Commodore, Tyutin), the Jackets just might have what it takes this year to not only get to the playoffs, but to really shake things up.

Expect to see them finish in third spot in the Central, and play their way into the second round of the playoffs before bowing out. By the end of this season, Columbus will have earned the respect of the NHL.