Daily Buzz: Jackets Quarterly Review

With the season almost a quarter way through, it’s time to look back and reflect.  Lots of great news, none of which is new; and lots of bad news, none of which is a shock.  There’s a lot that can be covered, but I’ve decided only to focus on our young-ins and acquisitions.

It seems that the search for a play-making center for Rick Nash may have FINALLY come to an end.  After weeks of proving that he is worthy, Derick Brassard has been moved up to the top line where he has helped Nash fuel a five-game goal scoring streak. 

Now, he only had a hand in three of them, but he is certainly the reason for many of the chances that our captain has capitalized on.  As a front-runner for the Calder Cup ROY, Brassard would be the first to bring the honor to Columbus.

The down side of this is, of course, the wicked secondary scoring from the goat line has dried up.  Budding star Jake Voracek has struggled of late and has been moved to the third and fourth lines.  Still though, he’s getting some decent chances playing with Modin and occasionally Andrew Murray.  The kid just needs to shoot more.  That’s it.

The great thing about Jake and Derick’s play is that it allows Filatov to get tons of ice time and experience in Syracuse.  If he (Filatov) had been taken by the Islanders (who traded the pick to Toronto) then he’d have been thrown in right away.  Kind of an ace in the hole as it were. 

Boy, isn’t it nice to have players that are developed in your system??  Makes filling the top scoring lines a heck of a lot easier!  How’s this for next year?

L1: Nash - Brassard - Voracek

L2: Huselius - Umberger - Filatov

Mason too has shown that he’s here to stay.  Last night he posted the team’s first shutout of the year.  Hitch has already announced that he’ll start on Wednesday against Phoenix. 

He’ll have a chance to make up for the four goals allowed on 29 shots that was his last appearance against the Yotes.  I really hope he shines there.  I love the size and skill he has; hopefully his confidence won’t waiver.

What does this mean for Pazzy and Norrena?  This all depends on how Mason plays on Wednesday, so only time will tell.

But here’s how I see it playing out—if Mason gets another win Wednesday with less than 3 GA, Norrena is done.  He’s not going to be trade bait because nobody will want him.  Neither is Pazzy.  Not right now anyway. 

Here’s how it shakes up:

Assuming Mason shows the good stuff on Wednesday, Norrena will be put on Waivers and possibly sent down to Syracuse—though I’m not sure if his contract will allow that.  Nobody will claim him. 

Mason and Pascal Leclaire will then split the starting goaltender’s role with Mason getting the 60-40 split.  This is all Pazzy can handle because right now he’s playing like he’s made of glass.  Though, he is still a talented goaltender. 

Look for Hitch to get Pazzy some winnable games, especially close to March.  Then off he goes, hopefully in return for somebody that can move the puck on defense or a first round pick.  I’m thinking he goes to either Ottawa or Edmonton for probably more than he’s worth.

Lots of maybes in that equation, but I definitely think that it is a situation that could happen.

What’s to come for April?  If the Jackets can string together another couple of months like November, then the playoffs are almost guaranteed. 

They still need to be better than seven other teams though.  That means the likes of: Nashville, Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado, maybe even Dallas.  Don’t gasp, Dallas just lost Brendan Morrow for the SEASON and they’ve been playing like balls for a month.

Seventh place finish.  Second in the Central behind Detroit.  Screw Chicago and Versteeg.

 

Posted in Bluejackets buzz   Tagged: Blue Jackets game review, Daily Buzz, Derek Brassard, Fredrik Norrena, Jakub Voracek, Pascal Leclaire, Steve Mason