Pre-season Stoplight Review

PRE-SEASON STOPLIGHT REVIEW

GREEN

* Kids are alright. Both Derick Brassard and Jakub Voracek showed they are ready to compete at the highest level. Voracek, after a slow start in camp, really came on strong once the games got going. In 7 games he tied for the team tead (with Nash) with 2g and 6a for 8 points and a +3. Brassard, before suffering the hit to the head, looked real strong as well collecting 2 helpers in 2 games and a +2.

* Kris Russell looks like he's ready to take his game up a notch and looks better in every facet of the game. In 5 games he finished 1g, 3a and a +6 which was best on the team.

* If Kristian Huselius plays like he did in the pre-season then the Jackets are going to be in real good shape offensively. His puck skills are world class as are his ability to use his teammates.

* Rick Nash was Rick Nash. He very quietly tied for the team lead in points in just 4 games 3g and 5a and a +2. He has to be thinking its nice to see some other high end skill out there and that he won't have to do it all himself this season.

* Nikita Filatov only played two games but damn.... this kid is going to be the read deal.

* Puck movement as a whole I thought was much improved and there were times the Jackets were really moving it well.

* Fedor Tyutin didn't disappoint (well me anyways) as I thought he played a efficient game in all aspects. Hands down he's our best all around defensemen in my eyes. He finished with 1g, 3a for 4 points and a +3 in 4 games.

* Jiri Novotny was MUCH better than I thought he'd be. Going into the pre-season I thought he may be on he outside looking in. Certainly not the case. He was an effective player notching 3g, 1a and a +3 in 7 games.

* For bubble guys I thought Alexandre Picard, Grant Clitsome Derek Dorsett had really good pre-seasons. All could have made this team but due to contacts and waivers situations that won't happen but I expect these guys to see quality time throughout the season. Picard, in particular, was probably the surprise of camp for me finishing with 2g and a +2 in 4 games. He hit like a truck and had 3 hugs/fights.

* The Garage Bar. Great stand in until the R Bar gets back on its feat.

* The offense in general produced. The Jackets finished with 'x' goals for which was good for 'x' in the league.

YELLOW

* The PP showed some signs but still a lot of work to do in this area. I don't have the numbers but there were nights it looked good and others where it sputtered....and yes, I realize it was different personnel some nights.

* Christian Backman was better than I thought he'd be but still didn't do a whole lot for me. Thus far I certainly like him better than Hainsey (better outlet pass although he's certainly as soft) and I don't think he's as bad defensively as I had heard. My biggest concern with him is getting his shots through from the point and turnovers.

* Mike Commodore was about what I expected. He didn't quite turn the toughness up much but I think that was intentional (i.e. saving it for the regular season). He finished with 2 helpers and an even in 4 games.

* Jan Hejda and Rusty Klesla. Played solid but each had their mistakes. The big surprise for me with Klesla was his point total as he finished with 1g, 4a for 5 points in 5 games.

* Goaltending was just okay for me. Norrena looked real good at times and real real bad. Leclaire was fairly solid but can play much better.

* The Jackets get out of the pre-season with only 1 significant injury in Torres.

* More replays from the game ops folks which was nice. Need even more!

* Boll made it through the pre-season without getting into a fight which is good for his healing hand. Unfortunately he made it through 5 pre-season games without a point either.

RED

* Michael York was a disappointment. It was a low risk high reward signing by Howson so it doesn't hurt the Jackets much.

* PK was not good. According to the radio guys the PK going into the Toronto game was executing at less than 80%.

* Too many penalties but more specifically there were too many 5 on 3 situations given up.

* The Torres injury. Bad decision with good intentions and very unfortunate. Lets hope he rebounds because I thought he looked fantastic with Peca and Boll.

* Just unacceptable that, at minimum, the away games are not streamed on Jackets TV. I mean what's the point of even having it if we can't use it to watch these games that aren't televised??

* Finally got a road win in Toronto but lets hope this pre-season record on the road is not a sign of things to come.

* Steve Mason setback. This is both disappointing for the Jackets as well as Syracuse. Lets hope he doesn't have anymore problems and gets some quality development time in this season on the farm.

In general I thought all of the new faces all contributed positively in their own way. The biggest disappointment for me was the Raffi Torres injury and the non-impact from guys like Rome and Methot. The biggest surprise was the skill of Kristian Huselius and the play of some of the youngsters including the high skill guys like like Brass, Voracek, Filatov and Clitsome to the role players like Picard and Dorsett.

My guess for the opening night lineup:

Nash-Umberger-Huselius

Modin-Brassard-Voracek

Chimera-Peca-Murray

Novonty-Malhotra-Boll

Extra: Picard

Commodore-Hejda

Tyutin-Klesla

Backman-Russell

Extra: Tollefsen/Rome

Leclaire

Norrena

I doubt Hitch puts Brass and Voracek together on the same line but if he keeps Umberger up with Nash and Huselius I really don't see where else in this lineup he makes sense. Assuming he's healthy this kid needs top 6 minutes. If he's not then scratch him until he is and go with Umberger/Peca/Malhotra/Novotny up the middle until he's ready.

I also have Picard beating out Dorsett only b/c Dorsett does not have to pass through waviers. Rome I have over Methot.

Quite frankly I'm not sure what happens with Filatov. I don't see room for him unless somebody is moved via trade or waivers. He probably starts the year in Syracuse although I would prefer Sudbury of the Major Junior Leagues which isn't an option at this point due to the Russians not signing off on it.

-LTL