Columbus Bluejackets Mid Year Report Card - B(ee)

Columbus Bluejackets Mid Season Review

The 2007/2008 campaign for the Bluejackets can best be described as encouraging yet inconsistent. In their 7^th year of existence, they remain the lone NHL team to have never tasted the post season. At mid year, the Jackets stood at a mediocre 15-14-6. But for a brief 4 game winning streak back in October, they have strung together back to back wins just twice. While they are a hot 13-6-4 at home, their road play has been abysmal at 6-11-2.

The biggest reason the Jackets have even competed this year is the outstanding play of Pascal Leclaire. He was injured for the majority of the 2006/2007 season during which he lost the starter job to Fredrik Norrena. Leclaire was a monster in the preseason and reclaimed his starter role as an NHL goalie. The recent call up of Team Canada Junior standout (tournament MVP, most valuable goaltender, gold medal winner) is an interesting move given Norrena’s respectable 2.38 GAA and .913% SV. Unless Leclaire falters, expect to see him remain the starter for the rest of the season.

A resurgent Rick Nash has been more then a welcome sight. Nash has the ability to dominate the game and instill fear in the opponent. He drives the net like no other and looks to be re-invigorated with passion for the game. After narrowly avoiding being shipped out of town, Zherdev has been the other key offensive bright spot. Second in scoring with 33 points, this 23 year old has been stellar in front of the net.

After inheriting the team mid season last year, Ken Hitchcock has made the Jackets a markedly better team on the defensive side of the puck, both on the D and up front. With Sergei Federov dabbling more on the blueline, one may surmise that his time in Columbus may not be over just yet. Mike Peca’s return to the team was a shot in the arm both on and off the ice. He’s on pace for about 35 points, is hovering on the plus side (+3).

Their special teams haven’t been so special. Their power play is 22^nd in the league and their penalty kill is worse at 24^th. With more and more of the scoring coming on odd man situations, they need to dramatically improve in this area.

Looking at the playoff picture, the Jackets remain on the outside looking in (3 pts out). With their solid goaltending, GM Scott Howson should consider what he can get for a veteran like Adam Foote who with playoffs approaching, might be coveted by a team like Minnesota or Atlanta. Columbus has had its issues in attracting players to the market. Stars like Martin St. Louis, and Vinnie LeCavalier may not want to punch their ticket to the Buckeye state, however, a guy like Marion Hossa or a Patrick Marleau might consider the new start. The Jackets need to reach the post season this year. And if they do, anything can happen.