Columbus Blue Jackets' Lines

Michael Kington — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:14:02 -0400

I have yet to see an article based on the Jackets lines next year...so I'll give it a shot...

1st: Nash / Umberger/ Huselius

2nd: Modin / Brassard / Voracek

3rd: Chimera / Peca* / Torres

4th: Boll / Malholtra / Murray

Defense:

Commodore / Hejda

Tyutin / Klesla

Backman / OK Tollefson

Analysis:

The first line is fairly obvious but I do think that Brassard could take Umberger out of the first line, as I think R.J. is more a second line guy but it is hard to tell if that change will happen this season or not.

The second line is a "young line" in which Hitch has expressed interest. Putting two rookies on the same line is risky, but helps our other lines gain stability and putting a veteran like Modin with them, we could see the next Toews/Kane coming out of Columbus.

The third line goes back to Edmonton where Peca centered a line with Torres at wing and helped them get to the finals. Putting them together might help Torres fit better to start and Chimera will add speed and an underrated scoring touch.

The fourth line: I am not to wild about it. Boll can certainly agitate and make us tough, and Malholtra can win face-offs and he seemed to kick it into another gear late last season, (remember those Detroit goal(s)? WOW) but Murray is unimpressive and I just can't seem to see this line scoring much at all.

Our third pairing defense with them on the ice is very dicy.

For defense, I put Commodore and Hejda on the first because they can add some stability and sound defense, and log the minutes against opponents first lines.

The second pairing includes Klesla and Tyutin which is a very good second. This pairing could be the first and can help break the puck out and still stay at home and dish out the punishment.

The third is a considerable drop off from the first two with Backman and OK T. These two might not be playing in a month with the likes of Russell or another prospect filling in the hole.

Backman is said to be a puck mover, but Rangers fans HATED him and wanted him gone asap. OK can fight and fits our system well, but hasn't shown true NHL potential and poise yet.

Tell me what you think!

Columbus Blue Jackets Improve, but Leave Another Hole in the Offense

Michael Kington — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:51:46 -0400

The Blue Jackets traded away Fritsche and Zherdev for two defensemen today, most notably Fedor Tyutin. It has been reported that he will instantly help our blue line, adding some offense even though he only managed 20 points in 82 games played last year for the Rangers.

With a bolstered defense, especially with the additions of Commodore and Tyutin, what are the Jackets going to do to fill their hole(s) in offense?

With no more Zherdev, our second leading scorer is Peca with 34 points. This is dismal and a complete embarrassment to have your number two scorer not even get HALFWAY to seventy.

I personally think that if Howson can manage to land Brendan Morrison to center the top line and maybe Kristian Huselius, we would start to be a very competitive team. Think about the possible lines...

1st : Nash/ Morrison*/Modin

2nd: Huselius/Umberger/Torres

3rd: Chimera/Brassard/Voracek

4th: Boll/Malholtra/Filatov? Murray?

Defense:

1st: Commodore/Klesa

2nd: Tyutin/Hejda

3rd: Russell/Tollefson?? I'm not sure about our third pairing but our first two look great!

Overall, I think I can't rate Howson's performance until it is all said and done, although right now it's about a B-/B solely because of now that we can slow down the opponent's offense, what about our own? Nash can't do it all so Howson better be busy getting at least two offensive guys. I'll keep you updated.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Kington

Columbus Blue Jackets' Lines

Columbus Blue Jackets Improve, but Leave Another Hole in the Offense