Quick Hitters

Portzline was able to get his summary up before me, so I’ll leave that to Rakers.  For the record though, we beat them to the punch the first two games!

Couple highs and lows coming out of the road trip.  Bad news first.

LOWS:

Pascal has forgotten how to play sound hockey.  True, he’s made some of those coast to coast pad saves, but when it comes to the rebounds, playing the puck, and making the save in traffic he’s taken a giant step backwards.

I think that the top line (while much more effective) still has chemistry issues.  Umberger is almost invisible out there.  Seems to be the Nash-Huselius show.  Hopefully he can bring it together.  While we’re on the subject of Centers, missing our top faceoff men has hurt.

Modin has played… interestingly.  At times last night I couldn’t tell if he was a brilliant puck-handler, or delusional power forward.  Either way, it’s clear that we’re not going to see the PPG from him that we saw in the past. 

There is still a lot of chemistry to be developed.  Scrambling in the defensive zone (like the last 8 years), decisions on who goes for the puck (last night it was either both go or nobody goes), and general communication.

HIGH:

I am in love with the play of Alexandre Picard.  He may not be the scoring threat that the scouts promised back in ‘04, but he’s out there playing like a maniac!  - In a good way.  Looks pretty sound defensively, hits everything that moves, and unlike many who have those first two traits, he can skate!

Ditto the above for Dorsett.  Great up-and-coming agitator

The Kids Brassard and Jake are showing that they are going to provide the secondary scoring that we’ve so sorely needed.  Additionally, and this aspect is missed by a lot of core columbus fans, but there is nothing better for a club than a stud rookie(s).  Fans who particularly follow the hobby (sport cards) start paying attention to columbus with the intent of following guys like Brass and Jake.  And when you’re in a market like we are, any attention is good attention.

Finally, because I called this a “quick hitter” - it looks like Jason Arnott is going to be out of the game on Friday because of a finger injury i think.  Either way, the report I saw said he’d be out for 3 games.  So we’ve got that going for us.

Posted in Bluejackets buzz   Tagged: Columbus Blue Jackets, Quick Hitter