Rome vs. Methot -- after 3 weeks of camp that was the biggest question that remained as the Jackets looked to trim their roster down to the NHL mandated maximum of 23.
That question has been answered today as Puck-rakers is reporting that Aaron Rome has been put on waivers along with (as expected) the "Macs" Derek MacKenzie and Craig MacDonald.
Derek Dorsett and Nikita Filatov remain with the team as they are waiver in-eligible and can be sent back down to Syracuse at any time to get down to that roster of 23.
The question now becomes will Rome be claimed by any of the 29 remaining teams?
Rome is a 25 year old 230lb defensemen. Here is Forecaster.ca's take on him:
ASSETS: Has excellent size and toughness. Plays a big role and can also put up points at the American Hockey League level.
FLAWS: Doesn't have enough game to log regular ice time at the highest level. Needs to avoid taking bad penalties.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Reserve defenseman.
Both Methot and Rome were so close that it was basically a toss up for me. I thought they would go with Rome as, to me at least, he seemed a bit more polished. It will be interesting to hear what the deciding factor was between the two.
A reader pointed out this article from the STLToday.com which certainly had some interesting thoughts on the Jackets:
Perhaps the most intriguing prospect, though, is Blue Jackets winger Nikita Filatov. The sixth overall pick needs to bulk up and gain some understanding of defensive zone play, but his offensive upside is vast.
Had he stayed healthy through training camp, he might be closer to making the jump. But coach Ken Hitchcock has his hands full getting skilled rookies Derek Brassard and Jakub Voracek up to speed for this season.
“What’s really unfortunate for Nikky is he missed most of camp,” Hitchcock told the Columbus Dispatch. “If he had a full training camp and gotten here earlier, he might be twice the player he is now.
“You can see marked improvement every time he steps on the ice . . . He’s just scratching the surface on what we think is going to be a heck of a player.”
If the Blue Jackets kids come through, Columbus will be a whole lot better than most experts believe. And the same could be said of the Blues IF both Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie sustain their push.
I agree. I think most "experts" are over looking the impact rookies could have on both of these squads.
Per reader request I have done a little research on the production from the top 10 picks in this year's draft in pre-season:
1. Stamkos
4gp 1g 2a 3p 0+/- 0PIM
2. Doughty
7gp 1g 0a 0p 1+/- 0PIM
3. Bogosian
4gp 0g 0a 0p -3+/- 8PIM
4. Petriangelo
5gp 0g 5a 0p -3+/- 0PIM
5. Schenn
7gp 1g 0a 1p 3+/- 2PIM
6. Filatov
2gp 1g 0a 0p 0+/- 2PIM
7. Wilson
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