In recent games, Columbus had shown a disturbing trend of being unable to control leads and shut down games in the third period. The absence of defensive stalwart Jan Hejda , combined with the need for injured Mike Commodore to get back into game shape, had disrupted the rhythm of the play in their own zone, resulting in tentative play, turnovers, and a plethora of wide open opportunities for opponent’s snipers. The club overall was going through a crisis of confidence that led Hitchcock to note that this team of youngsters was still “learning how to win.”

Against Pittsburgh, the Blue Jackets had a solid 3 -1 lead, but stopped playing the aggressive style they had displayed during the first two stanzas, allowing Pittsburgh to dictate the play. Turnovers in their own zone and the neutral zone resulted in two Penguin goals in the last three minutes, sending the game to OT and the SO, where Nash and Vermette missed the net, while Crosby’s shot appeared to be stopped by Mason, but just trickled over the line for the difference maker. Johnson grabbed the tying effort of the stick of Huselius, and the Penguins walked off with the two points.

Facing Pittsburgh, Washington and San Jose in consecutive games is not normally a recipe for success when trying to work your way out of a crisis. Still, Columbus managed a point against the defending Stanley Cup champions, and could look back to last season for support, when Mason posted home and road 3 -0 shutouts of the Capitals. Mason had also been victimized by the recent tentative approach in the defensive zone, and had displayed little of the high-in-the-crease bravado that helped him earn the Calder Trophy last year.

Both teams came out strong, putting a combined 25 shots on net in the first, with both a rejuvenated Jose Theodore and Steve Mason putting on goaltending clinics. The lone tally of the period came when Backstrom and Fleishmann executed a nifty give and go, leaving Backstrom all alone in front of Mason for an easy goal.
The second period belonged to the Blue Jackets, although was perhaps even more notable for the absence of Alexander Ovechkin, who disappeared from the Washington bench after a single second period shift, and did not return. Unconfirmed reports specify a shoulder injury, with his status being day-to-day. Steve Mason turned away eleven shots, and captain Rick Nash brought the game even on a highlight reel move from the left wing around a helpless Mike Green. With just 59 seconds left in the period, and the Jackets on the power play, Nash came down the right wing, fired the puck wide of the net. A crazy carom of the backboard put the puck back in the crease, where a grateful R.J. Umberger was waiting to deposit it into a wide open net. Columbus withstood a Capitals flurry, and entered the third period with a 2 -1 lead.

Given recent events, the casual observer would have assumed that Columbus would have done anything to avoid a third period letdown. However, intentions and actions do not always coincide, particularly when you have a young team facing one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. Early in the third, Columbus eased off of the offensive pressure, and fell back into their zone too quickly. Gaps between defender and forward were cautiously wide, and Washington was able to perpetuate possession in the zone for long periods of time.

Inevitably, the Blue Jackets’ scrambling led to a penalty, and Brooks Laich parked a rebound without interference from the defense to tie the score. Less than two minutes later, Laich took advantage of the Blue Jackets’ inability to clear the zone, and slammed a wide open wrister from the slot past a fully screened Mason.
As the period progressed, to non-believers it appeared that the result was ordained, and that another Blue Jackets lead had gone by the wayside. This team, on this night, was not going to go gently, however. With 6:26 remaining, Raffi Torres cashed in on a wraparound to tie the score and bring life to the bench. However, less than two minutes later, Torres turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Washington capitalized (pun intended) – with Quintin Laing knocking home a loose puck in front of the cage past a helpless Mason. Again, to the uninitiated, hope seemed to disappear.

With just 2:24 left in the game, Mike Knuble, who had re-ignited the quiet Washington crowd with a one-pan penalty kill early in the period, committed a slashing penalty on the Jackets’ Derick Brassard. Brassard left cradling an obviously injured right hand, seemingly adding insult to injury. The Jackets kept the pressure on, pulling the goaltender and returning Brassard to the ice. Fittingly, just as the penalty expired, Brassard lasered a cross-ice pass to Raffi Torres at the left post, who notched the tying goal to substantial celebration by all concerned.

With the momentum having shifted yet again, Columbus took control of the overtime, and forced Brian Pothier to take an ill-advised interference penalty at the 1:33 mark. With the 4 vs. 3 advantage, the Blue Jackets took only 12 seconds to convert, with Rick Nash finding R.J. Umberger on the doorstep for his second power-play goal of the evening, and the game winner.

This was an unlikely, cathartic victory for the Blue Jackets. Despite again failing to hold a third period lead, they found a way to win and made crucial plays when they were desperately needed. Despite surrendering four goals, Mason looked very sharp, and with Hejda scheduled to return in their next game against San Jose, the ship appears to have been righted. While the youth of the roster will provide more roller coaster rides as the season progresses, they have learned some valuable lessons over the recent stretch. Hitchcock hopes those are lessons that will not need to be re-learned.

Appearances can be deceiving. After a lackluster beginning to the second period, the Jackets began to do the things they so successfully avoided in the first stanza – committing penalties, turnovers near the blue lines, soft exit passes. Phoenix was quick to capitalize, scoring the first of their three power play goals on a literal multi-player rush of the net. Mason was understandably overwhelmed, and the puck was eventually poked through his pads in the course of the scrum. Less than three minutes later, a point shot was deflected off the leg of defenseman Fedor Tyutin, giving Phoenix the lead for good.

The third period proved to be more of the same – penalties, turnovers, loose defensive coverage and inability to convert offensive opportunities. The Coyote’s third goal was a simple matter of puck movement and a blistering shot inside the left post before Mason could react. The final tally was an inexplicable (from the CBJ perspective) situation where 2 Coyotes confronted Mason unchallenged, with no defender within ten feet of either player. An odd man rush is one thing, but to have this kind of mismatch during a set PK is a breakdown at the most fundamental of levels.

The Phoenix loss was the fourth in five games for Columbus – a stark contrast to the 5 -1 start that boasted the #1 penalty killing unit in the league. Since then, that aspect of special teams has plummeted from a 96% success rate to just 77.1%, ranking 21st in the NHL. Not surprisingly, then, the Jackets rank just 26th in Goals Against Average, surrendering 3.46 goals per game – very un-Hitchcock like numbers. Ironically, the Jackets’ power play, so anemic a year ago, ranks a respectable 12th at 22.7%.

The current slide has been perplexing to players, fans and coaches alike. It is clearly not a lack of talent, for the club has that in abundance, and their early play shows only a fraction of their potential. Injuries are part of the story – the Jackets were missing Mike Commodore for most of the first 10 games, and lost his pairing mate, Jan Hejda, just before this recent slide. Again, that is too simple and easy. The Jackets compiled a 5 -1 record without Commodore, and handed Los Angeles a 4 – 1 defeat without Hejda. While a lack of effort comes closer to describing the malady, it truly comes down to a matter of focus and confidence.

With 26 goals surrendered in the last 5 games, the natural tendency is to look at the goaltending – Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason and backup Mathieu Garon. Again, while there are elements of truth here, the recent criticism goes too far. The Jackets are built around Ken Hitchcock’s “defense first” system, where offense is created through checking and pressure. In cooperation with GM Scott Howson, he has finally assembled a club with the talent, dedication and willingness to buy into the effort required, and the results showed in the first five games. What makes this Blue Jackets team different from its predecessors is that it also houses the talent necessary to create offense on its own. Nash, Huselius, Umberger, Vermette, Torres and Pahlsson bring a great mix of talent and experience to the table, even while youngsters Derek Brassard and Nikita Filatov get their legs under them and prepare to be major contributors going forward. However, when they do that , opportunities get created in the other direction, and the scramble begins.
This will not be as big of an issue in another 20 games or so, when everyone has had the chance to play with everybody, make the necessary adjustments, and know where everyone is going to be. However, right now, with a few key people out of the lineup or underperforming, there is a lack of certainty in their own zone. Uncertainty breeds tentativeness and hesitation, which is the kiss of death in defensive hockey. A good defensive unit has a rhythm that is apparent – defensemen and forwards know where everyone is, and how to react when breakdowns occur. Goalies know the same thing, and develop a “sixth sense” about danger zones in certain situations. The Jackets’ defense, including the penalty kill, were operating just this way in the first six games. They were uncharacteristically aggressive on the PK, which reaped huge rewards, including a league-leading three short-handed goals.

During the recent unpleasantness, the cohesiveness has disappeared. Confident clearing plays have now become light puck directions into the middle of nowhere. This causes scurrying, and no ability to compensate for missed assignments. Opposing teams are getting prime opportunities at point blank range, and only some of them are being stopped. The natural reaction is to think more and be more careful, which breeds more hesitation, etc. etc. The team needs to relax, return to aggressive play and use their talent within the confines of the system. They have already shown that this works very well for them, but simply need to internalize it.

Still, within the overall framework there have been individual failures. Winger Kristian Huselius has been the primary target of grumbling fans, and not without justification. Despite a two goal effort on the recent road trip, he has been more noted for spectacular misplays than offensive prowess. Repeated turnovers, untimely penalties, timidity in the offensive zone and general poor play in his own zone have helped trigger the recent slide. With Nikita Filatov increasingly showing an ability to play in all three zones, and showing flashes of the offensive brilliance that made him a number one pick, Huselius might be on the ledge. Thirteen NHL scouts from twelve different teams were in attendance at the Phoenix game, and they weren’t there for the $1 Hot Dog Night . . .

The defensive corps has been uneven to date. Commodore is just rounding into form, and Hejda played well before his injury, but Rusty Klesla and Marc Methot have been disappointing early. Periodic flashes of outstanding play make the more frequent lapses all the more frustrating. Fedor Tyutin has been called upon to play some huge minutes early, and while not flawed in his game, he is not showing the speed and overall tenacity that was seen a year ago. In contrast, youngster Kris Russell has improved every game, and shows the ability to create opportunity and stifle breakaway threats with his speed and stick work. Newcomer Anton Stralman has proven to be an even better puck handler than originally thought, and possesses the advertised right handed laser beam from the point, already contributing to several goals and more opportunities.
The odd man out on the blue line was Mathieu Roy, who was sent down to AHL Syracuse on Wednesday, prior to the Phoenix game. While not technically a shock, given the fact that he was with the big club on emergency call-up, many are questioning the decision. In his time with Columbus, he showed a solid combination of skating, puck movement and physical tenacity, something not observed with others. Time will tell how that story plays out.

Finally, there are the “energy twins” Derek Dorsett and Jared Boll. Hitchcock loves their energy, but is showing signs of wearying of their overall lack of finishing ability and judgment, particularly with Boll. The closest thing to an enforcer on the Blue Jackets roster, Boll has not lived up to expectations. Many were surprised to see him on the squad coming out of camp, as Alexandre Picard appeared to have a demonstrably better camp than Boll. For that matter, so did Maxim Mayorov, though he does not bring the physical edginess that both Boll and Picard display. He shows aggressiveness, but without real purpose, and no longer is competitive in his fights. He dropped the gloves on Wednesday with the Coyote’s Paul Bissonnette in the first period, and calling it a fight was charitable. Not sure they could even have legitimately pegged Boll for roughing.
Dorsett presents a somewhat different dilemma. He brings a bit more talent than Boll, but still has not shown the ability to do anything with his energy on a consistent basis. He has shown a worrisome tendency to lose focus/composure at critical times, taking penalties or committing turnovers late in the game. Hitchcock hates playing young players in those critical situations for just that reason, but when your team is among the youngest in the league, sometimes options are narrowed. The Blue Jackets are blessed with a wealth of talent on the wings, and some difficult decisions could be coming.
On the bright side, Columbus has played seven of their first eleven games on the road, including consecutive home openers for Vancouver, San Jose and Phoenix. They remain above .500, and are getting healthier. Some of the young talent is showing signs of maturation, and the line of Vermette, Voracek and Filatov showed some scary potential against Phoenix.
Columbus faces a tough three game stretch of Pittsburgh, Washington and San Jose at a time when they are looking for answers. Last year, they showed the ability to handle these types of challenges, while sometimes falling down to lesser opposition. They have the people, the system and the talent – now they just need to go back to what made everything work in the first six games of the season. As Commodore observed, it is better that they go through this phase early, rather than later in the season. The Jackets seem confident it is just a phase, from which they will emerge stronger than before. If so, the rest of the league may be in for some trouble.

In losses to Calgary and Edmonton this week, the Blue Jackets surrendered as many goals (12) as they had in their prior 6 games combined.  While goaltending has not been up to its normal lofty standards, to blame these two defeats on the netminders would be shortsighted.  Instead, the Jackets have simply lost sight of some of the fundamentals that served them so well in their first half dozen games:

• Turnovers – both the Los Angeles and Edmonton games were filled with sloppy turnovers in the Jackets’ own zone.  This created mismatches and quick scoring opportunities that the opponents quickly cashed in.  In the first six games, Columbus was the epitome of consistency in trapping the puck and making quick, decisive exit passes.  The last two games have featured more indecision and ragged clearing efforts.
• Penalties – the end of the second period in Edmonton was a perfect illustration of how unnecessary penalties can kill momentum and breathe life back into a team that is on the ropes.  Holding a 4 -2 lead, and frankly dominating play, the Jackets took three penalties in under 5 minutes, including a particularly bewildering mugging administered by defenseman Marc Methot, which directly led to a Hemsky tally on the ensuing power play, and a one goal game.  Nobody can maintain a 96% penalty kill average for extended periods, and the bubble burst last night.  The club reverted to their old, non-aggressive style of penalty killing, and they paid for it.
• Spectating – on numerous occasions in the past two games, opposing forwards have been able to gain significant time and space, unchallenged by Jackets defensemen or forwards.  In Calgary, Dion Phaneuf’s coast to coast effort featured a lackluster skating effort by forward Derek Dorsett, and inexplicable inaction by the rest of the defense as Phaneuf entered the zone, and fired a laser past Mason.  Numerous variations on this theme arose in both losses, with particularly disappointing efforts by Klesla and Methot.  While the absence of Commodore and Hejda is significant, the Jackets were able to craft a solid victory over L.A. without them.  But the attention to detail and the pressure in all three zones that was evident then has been lacking in the past two contests.
• Awareness – It is sometimes tempting to treat then skaters and the goalies as separate, unconnected entities, but they are very much related.  When a team is backstopped by a solid goaltender, they play more confidently, are able to be more aggressive, and generate more opportunities.  Similarly, when a goalie has a well-functioning defense in front of him, he is better able to anticipate the flow of the play, which in turn makes him more effective.  There has been a disconnect the last two games, and the consequences have been garish.  Both Mason and Garon have been caught anticipating clears, and appeared to be caught napping when the normally reliable defense has failed.  Similarly, the defense has seemed unprepared to deal with unanticipated rebounds in their own zone, giving the opposition multiple opportunities.

Despite these two setbacks, all is not gloom and doom.  Commodore is expected to return against Anaheim, and the play of Kris Russell, Anton Stralman and Mathieu Roy has been encouraging, providing coach and GM with more long term flexibility.  The offense has started to blossom, with Kristian Huselius shaking off an awful effort against Calgary to net two goals at Edmonton.  Derick Brassard is showing signs of life, with Raffi Torres and Jason Chimera making huge contributions.  The power play, which resided in the league basement all year last season, has been more than credible, currently sitting ninth in the NHL at 25%.  Despite surrendering three goals against Edmonton, the penalty kill still sits third in the league at 88.9%.

The recent travails are the unfortunate side-effect of having a startlingly young roster.  There is nothing wrong with the Jackets that can’t be cured by some pointed examples from Hitchcock and a lively practice session or two.  Thanks to their fast start, these two setbacks are disappointing, but hardly lethal.  Look for a return to form as the Jackets play their first back-to-back games in Anaheim and Los Angeles over the weekend.  Hitchcock will make sure that the club devotes its full attention to delivering 60 minutes of hard-nosed hockey.

Early season schedules can play fits with team cohesion and sharpness. Columbus had last played on Tuesday, and the rust showed early. Despite putting constant pressure on the Kings defenders, Columbus failed to cash in on any of the opportunities. Halfway through the period, Los Angeles took the lead with what proved to be their only goal of the evening, when Dustin Brown deposited a seeing-eye shot in the net on what goalie Steve Mason conceded was “a bad goal.” The Kings were otherwise shut down for most of the first, and the Blue Jackets finally converted with just 47 seconds left in the period, when winger Jason Chimera sprinted down the left wing. With Rick Nash barreling down the middle, Chimera fired a laser from the left dot that found the net up high, squaring the score at the break.

This was game five of a six game road trip for Los Angeles, and the third in four nights. The demanding schedule, combined with an aggressive forecheck from the Blue Jackets, took its toll as the second period progressed. With three minutes left in the frame, a resurgent Raffi Torres parked a rebound over a pile of amassed bodies in front of the net for a power play goal. Torres now has three goals on the young season, and is clearly happy to be healthy and playing an important role for the club. Afterwards, he acknowledged having “a newfound passion for the game”, and it showed in all three zones.

The third period belonged to Columbus thanks to goalie Steve Mason and Nash. Mason stepped up and made some key saves after some sloppy turnovers, and Nash converted another Jackets penalty kill into a shorthanded highlight-reel goal. All that was left was an empty-netter from Jakub Voracek, and the 15,251 in attendance were sent home happy. Columbus moved to 5 -1, with a perfect home record, and showed once again it can win, even without its “A” game.

The young defensemen played a big role in this victory. Mathieu Roy, assuming a starting role since the Hejda injury, was solid defensively, and confident with the puck. Kris Russell, celebrating the signing of a three year, $3.9 million contract extension, handled the puck deftly and showed some renewed confidence. Mark Methot, called upon to take over many of Hejda’s minutes, showed greatly improved anticipation and defensive presence. Recently acquired Anton Stralman continued his solid play, surprising many with his skills on both ends of the ice. Hitchcock observed that Stralman“ . . . just does not make mistakes with the puck . . . He does a lot of the little things that the guys on the bench notice.” High praise from a coach notoriously demanding of defensive effort.

For his part, Hitchcock remains unsatisfied with the production of his top two lines. Although he conceded that Nash is an exception, he obviously is looking for more finishing ability from the likes of Brassard, Umberger, Huselius, Vermette and Voracek. He expressed pleasure with the play of his blue liners, the goaltending tandem of Mason and Garon, and the penalty kill, which leads the league in effectiveness, having dispatched 23 out of 24 penalties.

As they embark on their second western road trip of the new season (another gift from the schedule makers), the Blue Jackets are quietly confident. Captain Rick Nash noted that the team has seen too much adversity in the past to be complacent now. “We need to stay level-headed and take things as they come”.

While Columbus is correctly avoiding over-confidence, there is clearly a justified measure of satisfaction with their accomplishments thus far. With significant injuries on the blue line, an offense that is yet to hit its stride and a young Nikita Filatov learning the intricacies of “Hitchcock Hockey”, there is a significant upside to the team’s performance potential, which should prove daunting to prospective opponents.

Even the normally reticent Hitchcock could not resist a measure of optimism. Calling to mind the 2 – 1 win over Calgary last Tuesday, the coach drew some thinly veiled comparisons to the clubs he coached in Dallas, including his Cup winning squad: “When I see games like Calgary . . .I’ve seen that movie before – a lot — in a former life. It’s a good feeling, because you know you can control the game forever like that. If you can get into that mindset and play that way–and we are showing flashes of being able to do that — then you can win a lot of hockey games for a long period of time.”
Now that is music to the ears of Blue Jackets fans everywhere.

For the uninitiated, who may have just returned from an extended stay on the International Space Station or perhaps awakened from a prolonged coma, Filatov was the Jackets first round pick in the 2008 entry draft. He wowed the locals with 4 goals in 8 games last season, including a home hat trick, before being returned to Syracuse, where he had a solid season. He was recalled as an observer for the stretch run and playoffs, just to experience the escalated intensity level of NHL Playoff hockey.

Big things are expected from the young Filatov, who has yet to see his 20th birthday. He is an enormous offensive talent, both as a pure shooter and passer, but has not previously been called upon to devote a lot of attention to the defensive zone. In the Hitchcock system, that just won’t do. So, while he notched a beautiful one-timer goal on the road in Vancouver, his minutes shrank in Phoenix, and he was a healthy scratch in a home game against Calgary. This has resulted in a rampage of online speculation ranging from assertions that Hitchcock doesn’t like Filatov, to his being sent back to the AHL, to his imminent defection to the KHL (more on this later). Columbus likes nothing better than a good conspiracy, so this story had all of the required elements. The problem is – there is no story!

First, to give the fans their due, they have been somewhat poisoned by the Nikolai Zherdev experience. Zherdev, the first round draft pick in 2003, was the NHL’s version of Manny Ramirez – a world class talent, prone to extended mental vacations, and utterly resistant to coaching. He would flash magnificent displays of ability, only to fade into obscurity, commit breathtaking blunders and deflect any responsibility for his poor play to others. He was sullen, isolationist and made little effort to learn English or become part of the community. Upon arriving in Columbus, GM Scott Howson and Coach Hitchcock quickly assessed the prospects for turning Zherdev around, and shipped him off to the New York Rangers, who learned what Columbus had known all along. New York declined to honor the arbitration award for $3.5 million Zherdev received, and after a brief flirtation with Atlanta, “Z” is now plying his trade in the KHL.

Whatever the temptations might be to compare Filatov with Zherdev, such comparisons are grossly unfair to Filatov. By all accounts, he is an affable, hard working kid and is well-liked in the locker room. Right now, he is learning how to ply his talents within a specific system, and that takes time. His confidence in the offensive zone and the ability to create space are currently tempered by the need to think about his responsibilities. In due course, these will become second nature, and his instincts will again take hold.

This adjustment process should be familiar to Columbus fans. When Hitchcock came on board, there was another offensive star who needed to work on his defensive end coverage and become integrated into Hitchcock’s system, a process that took the better part of a year. Big guy . . .wears #61 . . .yeah, Rick Nash. Like the Nash of old, Filatov likes to hang out in open areas near the top of his defensive zone, ready for a breakout. Hitchock wants his forwards fully engaged – digging pucks off the boards and being instrumental in clearing the zone. He is learning, and had about a ten minute center ice chat with Hitchcock on just that subject this week in practice.

The obsessive micro-focus on Filatov was exacerbated by an interview he gave in Russia, to a Russian journalist, which was translated and reprinted on several internet sites. He acknowledged having had offers from the KHL, but said that his dream was to play in the NHL, just like his hero, Ilya Kovalchuk. While remarking that he would be more inclined to listen to the KHL if things didn’t work out in the NHL, he made it clear that he was prepared to work hard to make his dream come true. This was interpreted as a threat by some of the more conspiracy-inclined members of the fan circles, heightening the paranoia level.

Keep in mind that it was this same group of fans that would scream every time Rick Nash gave an interview in Toronto, praising the city and the Leafs’ franchise, convinced that these were evil omens of his imminent defection. Of course, Nash signed a long term extension within about 72 hours of being eligible to do so, shooting down that theory. The point is that Filatov has a goal to succeed in the NHL, and is willing to work hard to do it. He doesn’t want to aggravate the Russian media, in the same way that Nash was diplomatic in Canada. Filatov has Olympic aspirations at some point, so does not want to be viewed as burning any bridges in his homeland. He also knows that he has a contractual commitment to the Blue Jackets, and has every intention of honoring it.

Howson and Hitccock have an opportunity with Filatov that they did not have with Zherdev – namely the chance to bring him along slowly and properly. Hitchcock is notoriously careful with rookies in what he perceives to be “heavy” games or close situations, and some of the low minute totals this season are attributable to those situations. More importantly, the goals that the club has for Filatov, and that he has for himself, are not goals that will be realized in 5 games, or 10, or 20. It will be a gradual process, where minutes and production move in tandem.

Filatov is going to score a lot of goals, and be a contributor for a long time to come. He is 19, and precisely 5 games into his first season as a full time member of the club. It is time for everybody to take a deep breath and let Filatov and Hitchcock do their work. Patience has it’s rewards.

Entering the contest, a virtual slugfest was anticipated, given the bad blood generated between the two squads last year after Phaneuf’s cheap shot hit on R. J. Umberger.  Add the fact that Calgary blew a five goal first period lead last night against Chicago, and the makings of felonious assault were all there.  Coach Ken Hitchcock was sufficiently convinced that brutality was going to be the order of the day that he scratched young Nikita Filatov and new defenseman Mathieu Roy.  However, while the affair was a tight checking, edgy game, it never escalated to the donnybrook many (including me) predicted.  I gave my wife an over/under number of four fighting majors for each team, and thought the over would have been a good bet.  Not so.

The only officially recognized pugilism occurred just two minutes in, when Jared Boll dropped the gloves with Brandon Prust.  While the timing was understandable from one perspective, as Calgary had taken 6 of the first 7 shots, it was unfortunate in another, as it negated a sizzling laser from the point off the stick of Marc Methot from the left point, negated by the fact that Boll and Prust had already dropped the gloves before the shot was taken.  Other than this, only two concurrent roughing penalties provided any indications that these teams just do not like each other.

The Jackets showed uncharacteristic discipline, given the youth of the squad and the early stage of the season, by allowing Calgary only one power play, which was duly killed.  Calgary entered the game as the league leader on the power play, cashing in about 45% of the opportunities.  It was a non-factor tonight, as the Jackets made use of a great performance by Mason and terrific three-zone defense.  The forecheck was very strong, and the club was able to repeatedly set up their picket fence in the neutral zone, obviously frustrating the highly talented Flames, who could never get any prolonged continuity in the offensive zone.

Calgary took the initial lead late in the first, when former Jacket Curtis Glencross banked home a bouncing shot from Borque.  Mason had no chance on the play, and the Jackets protested that Glencross had hit the puck with a high stick.  A review from Toronto confirmed the goal, providing a massive sense of déjà vu to the assembled fans, and providing a bad omen for things to come.  When Brassard missed an open net on one opportunity and clanged the pipe on another, it appeared that a 1 – 0 result might be the outcome.

However, as the second period rolled along, the Jackets found their offensive momentum, and began carrying the play for extended periods in the offensive zone.  A fatigued Mark Giordano took a hooking penalty with just over six minutes left in the period.  The power play unit maintained possession and pressure, forcing the Flames’ Cory Sarich into another hooking infraction, and giving the Jackets a 5-on-3 opportunity for 40 seconds.  Hitchcock took a timeout to enable him to use the same personnel, and only nine seconds were required to convert, when former Flame Anton Stralman fired a blast past Kiprusoff from the left point to knot the score.  Still on the power play, the Jackets had opportunities, but could not convert until just after a return to even strength, when another former Flame, Kristian Huselius, banged home a rebound to provide what would prove to be the winning margin.  Nash assisted on both goals, with Brassard and Umberger notching the other helpers.

In the best Ken Hitchcock tradition, the Jackets shut down the potent Flames offense in the third period.  They also overcame a bizarre turn of events when an apparent goal from the crease was waved off, due to an inexplicable whistle from referee Stephen Walcom.  Replays clearly showed the puck visible after a save by Kiprusoff, and Walcom apparently staring right at it, yet you can hear the whistle blow, for no apparent reason.  To say that the fans expressed their displeasure would be the epitome of understatement.  Nonetheless, Columbus shut down Calgary for the remainder of the period, and though Nash’s bid for an empty-netter from the red line clanged off the right post, another two points was secured.

The officials had a generally lousy night.  Besides the phantom whistle, a massive hook of Voracek on a breakaway should have earned a penalty shot, but didn’t even bring a penalty call.  The officials missed a Calgary “too many men” penalty when the puck in play hit a Calgary player leaving the ice, and what appeared to be Calgary’s  unprovoked dislodging of their own net while Columbus was on the attack drew no attention from the officials.  Nonetheless, the young Jackets maintained discipline throughout.

Hitchcock has always said that it is the defense that has the toughest time at the beginning of the season.  If that is so, I can hardly wait for them to get through their tough time . . .  other than the San Jose aberration, the team has allowed just five goals in the other four4 games played, including three goals by Vancouver.  Mason was solid as a rock tonight, and the entire team started to show more signs of coming together as a unit.

Naturally, there are rough spots to work out.  The power play looks much better, but still needs work.  However, Stralman is improving by the shift, and provides precisely what we need at the point.  Our defensemen still wait for the puck to come to them too much in the defensive zone, rather than skating to meet the puck.  This makes the team vulnerable to hard charging forecheckers,  who cause havoc and turnovers in our own zone.

Still, with Brassard just coming around and Filatov being nursed at a very slow pace by Hitchcock, the 4 – 1 record the team has posted is very impressive. Nash is racking up assists, and everyone is chipping in.  The Vermette – Umberger – Voracek line was absolutely terrific tonight.  As the remaining pieces come together, this could prove to be a very good hockey club.

Los Angeles Saturday night, then back on the road out West, with stops in Calgary, Edmonton, Anaheim and Los Angeles.  While the CBJ will not sneak up on anybody this year, the talent they have is such that they just might not need sneakiness to win.  A very good Calgary club came into town tonight, and walked away with no points.  That has to be encouraging to everyone.  You know that doing it with defense has Hitchcock smiling that slightly devious smile he sports from time to time.  Right now, there is a lot to smile about.

The new regime in Phoenix has taken a page from Ken Hitchcock’s book, adopting a philosophy premised upon hard checking and defense first.   The style appears to suit the current pack of Coyotes,  as they have posted some impressive performances at the beginning of the season, including a stifling shutout of the Penguins.  Predictably, then, this was an affair characterized by checking, intercepted passes and limited opportunities at even strength, with the occasional rush when turnovers were forced up high.  The Jackets capitalized on just such an opportunity, with Nash parking a tic-tac-toe play from Huselius and Brassard, getting the all-important first goal, which proved to be the game winner.

In games like this, special teams often make the difference, and this one was no exception.  The CBJ took a slew of undisciplined penalties, giving Phoenix almost 13 minutes of power play time, including a double minor and two 5-on-3 deficits.  In contrast, Columbus had but two power play opportunities, and did not look overly impressive on either opportunity.  The penalty kill, however, more than atoned for any perceived sins of the power play.  The PK was relentless and aggressive, denying passing lanes, challenging the perimeter and creating turnovers.  When the defensemen lapsed, Garon filled the void.  While Klesla had some questionable moments, Tyutin and Hejda were huge. Russell showed more confidence , and Stralman showed more skill in his own zone than he had on Thursday (when few of the defenders looked good.)

While some might characterize the win as “ugly”, and others might call it “gritty”, I prefer to think of it as “promising”.  While it is very early, so no conclusions about anything are yet appropriate (see points below), this was a win that teams in past years don’t win.  On the road – third consecutive home opener – lots of time on the PK—last game of the road trip  – these were all traditional elements of disaster brewing.  We found a way to make the plays necessary to win.  Did we get a bit lucky?  Sure we did – but no more so than in any hockey game.  Their shot off the post equaled the one Huselius clanged in the first.  The point is that we played a heavy game for 60 minutes, and did what was necessary to win.  Faced with a daunting road trip right out of the box, when no team is completely settled, the Jackets have posted a .750 winning percentage and have not yet played a game where everything has clicked.  That is the sign of a talented club.

Next Topic:  Fan Panic

To those who have followed me for awhile, this topic will be familiar.  In the wake of the San Jose loss, the alarmists were out in full force – “What’s wrong with the Jackets?”  “Our defense sucks’, “Bench Mason”, “Fire Hitchcock”.  I never cease to be amazed at the myopic view of so many supposed fans.  So, for the first time this season (but, alas, likely not the last), please take note of the following:  The NHL is an 82 game season, folks, not 12, like, say . . . college football.  Bad news – the CBJ are not going 82 – 0.  There are going to be times when the Jackets are cold or down when the opposing team is hot and up –particularly when the team is on the road, and especially when it is the opponent’s opening night.   At the beginning of the season, virtually all teams are still getting the kinks out and learning to play together.  If we are having this discussion in December, maybe we have an issue.  If guys aren’t quite clicking after 3 games, not a big deal, not even a small deal.  This is a long distance race, not a sprint, so you will save yourselves a lot of meaningless anguish by looking at the big picture.

By the way, the panic over Mason’s performance in San Jose is particularly unjustified.  First, the guy had been a star for the first two games, having had 70 shots pelted at him.  Secondly, he underwent a literal physical assault in San Jose – he was hit hard several times, and had a major collision with the left post in the first period when he was reaching to freeze the puck and was driven into the metal.  I was frankly surprised that he got up.  I am convinced he was hurting the rest of the game, but would not admit it.  Secondly, he got no support from our guys, who also helped by tipping a couple of the goals.  Sure, should he have had a couple?  Absolutely.  Does this pre-sage Armageddon?  Hardly.

As we used to say in California  — chill, people.

And Finally . . .

Part of the general whining and conspiracy theorizing involves the perceived lack of utilization of rookie Nikita Filatov, and what the future holds.  Opinions range from declaring him a washout, to speculating that Hitchcock doesn’t like him, to having him returning to Russia in December.  How can I best put this???   How about . . . . ridiculous . . . .

Hitch is noted for spoon feeding rookies, and gauging their playing time based upon opponent, style and situation.   Before the season started, Hitch told the season ticket holders that Filatov’s slot and playing time would be dictated by precisely those situations.  First of all, despite limited playing time, the kid had a beautiful one-timer goal against Vancouver, which is more goals than a lot of players have at this point in the season.

More fundamentally, let’s look at how Hitch treated Voracek, another winger, last year, and see if we can compare.   For consistency, we’ll only look at even handed time, as neither guy was used on the PK in the first few games, and Power Play time is something that can’t be predicted or controlled.  In Game 1 last year (a  5 – 4 OT Win at Dallas), Voracek got 6:35 of ice time.  Filatov notched 7:30 of full –strength ice time this year, in a nail biting 2-1 win vs. Minnesota.  In Game 2 this year, a 5 – 3 road win over Vancouver, Filatov earned 6:33 of ice time.  Last year, Voracek skated  9:42 at even strength in a 3 -1 loss at Phoenix.   Game 3’s in both seasons were three goal losses to San Jose on the road.  Last year, Voracek  skated a full 10:04, while Filatov had 6:14 on the ice this year, representing the biggest discrepancy.  Finally, in the respective fourth games,  Filatov notched 4:49 in a nail-biter in Phoenix, while Voracek  got 7:54 in a 5 – 3 win over Nashville.  (By the way, Voracek only skated for about 11:00 against Phoenix on Saturday night.)

So, while Voracek got more minutes last year, it is not a disproportionate difference in terms of minutes, particularly when you factor in the variables of opponent, style, game tempo, etc.   Indeed, the similarities stand out more than the differences.  In both years, the shifts and minutes went down when the game was tighter, particularly if we were leading.  Shifts increased either early, or later, if the game was out of hand.

Here is the point – Hitch is treating Filatov the same way he has treated others, within a margin of error.  Watch for Filatov’s minutes to go up at home, in more comfortable surroundings, and after more practices and game situations have been encountered.  Lines will begin to settle in, and roles will get established. Will Filatov be the Calder Trophy winner?? Who knows?  He has tons of talent, and Hitch will use that talent in a way that is best for the  team.  Filatov wants desperately to be a star in the NHL, and will do what is necessary to get there.  That is a combination that bodes well for both the CBJ and Filatov.  Let’s not judge either coach or player based upon the first four games of the season.

The Jackets are 3 – 1 after a stern road test to open the season, despite not having played their best hockey.  That is what good teams do, and this is a good team.  Enjoy it!

So much for omens.  Columbus came out strong, shrugged off a first period Vancouver goal, and drove Luongo to the showers with a three goal flurry, in 3:44 of the second period, ultimately posting a 5 – 3 victory.  The Blue Jackets thus reach the 2 -0 mark for the first time in club history, while Vancouver falls to 0 – 3 for the first time since 2001.

Despite tallying five goals, the Blue Jackets owe this victory to Steve Mason, who stopped 40 of 43 shots, including some truly amazing glove hand stops of point blank opportunities.  In contrast, Columbus was the model of efficiency – tallying five goals in just 24 shots, including goals on three consecutive shots in that second period flurry.

This one began as a “heavy” game, as Ken Hitchcock would say, with tons of hitting on both sides, in all parts of the ice.  Midway through the first, Jackets’ enforcer Jared Boll absorbed a brutal check into the boards from Darcy Hordichuk, catching his chin on the ledge of the boards, and was out for the count.  He did not return.  Columbus displayed a lot of patience in the offensive zone, and was not permitting the Canucks any extended time in their own zone.  Still, Vancouver scored first, with Henrik Sedin parking a rebound of a Bieksa shot on a diving sweep, after defender Fedor Tyutin got caught in No-Man’s Land.   Undaunted, the Jackets evened the score with just 42 seconds left, on a pretty tic-tac-toe play between defender Mathieu Roy, Rick Nash and Antoine Vermette.  Nash ultimately put a laser on  Vermette’s stick in the crease, and he bumped it into a wide open net.

The Columbus transition game was on full display in the second.  Just 2:09 into the period, Huselius took a drop pass on the right wing from Nash, who drove to the net. Huselius floated into the top of the circle, looked off to Nash, then fired the puck into the far upper corner for a 2 – 1 lead.  At the 5:29 mark, Huselius left the puck for Rostislav Klesla, who took advantage of traffic in front and beat Luongo high for his second goal in as many games.  Just 22 seconds later, rookie phenom Nikita Filatov one-timed a feed from Vermette through the five hole, giving Columbus a three goal lead, and Luongo and early shower.

At this point, the gas went out of the Blue Jackets engine.  Their legs got heavy, they abandoned the patience they had shown early, and became sloppy with the puck.  Enter Mason, who allowed two lasers from the point, one by Ehrhoff and one by Mitchell, neither of which Mason saw.  Nothing else got past him, as he maintained an aggressive position high in the crease, and showed the glove work that was evident last year before the bout with mononucleosis.  Fedor Tyutin was credited with a closing power play goal (though it appeared to carom off of Raffi Torres in the crease) played  an extremely  strong games on the blue line, as did Mathieu Roy. The checking line of Pahlsson, Chimera and Umberger was good at both ends, with Umberger drawing a couple of key penalties, including the last one, which provided the gap that enabled Blue Jacket fans to catch their breath.

While Hitchcock was not pleased with the letdown in the second half of the game, which allowed Vancouver to ring up the prodigious shot total, he has to be quietly thrilled with the skill and chemistry shown across three lines.  Nash had three assists.  Vermette, Klesla and Huselius all had a goal and an assist, and the team as a whole showed the ability to play in a heavy game on the road and come out on top.  Being able to do it while giving some youngsters some playing time is a bonus.

For Vancouver, the fan base is in full panic mode.  While Luongo has historically been a slow starter, he has not had a streak like this in recent memory.  While a true goalie controversy is a long way off, some of the more radical fan elements are likely to call for Raycroft to start, though he looked anything but solid.  The blue line is proving suspect for the Canucks as well, so some shakeups may be forthcoming.  However, Vancouver always seems to find a way to end up at or near the top, and this year will likely be no different.

For Columbus, they move onto San Jose, where they will play on Thursday for the Sharks’ home opener, then to Phoenix for a Saturday game that also serves as the home debut for the Coyotes.  Newly acquired defenseman Anton Stralman will make his debut in San Jose, and should add further offensive support and power play leadership.  Boll has “some kind of concussion”, according to Hitchcock, and may not even be cleared to fly with the team to San Jose.  Hitchcock vows that newly-acquired backup netminder Mathieu Garon will get a start on this trip.

This contest had a little bit of everything – heavy hitting, dynamic transition game, amazing goaltending, and some real offensive talent.  Hitchcock’s challenge will be to keep his young club on a short leash, as he does not want them to abandon his “defense first” system in favor of a wild back and forth track meet.  All things considered, however, this is a problem he likely loves to have.

First, a few preliminaries. This piece is devoted entirely to what is possible. I claim no special inside information about the specific discussions being conducted at present. While I have made inquiries, they have produced no new concrete information, other than that efforts are ongoing on multiple fronts. As the Dispatch reported recently, the Chamber of Commerce is going to spearhead a study on a number of options, and that is consistent with the intention to explore a wide variety of options. Mike Priest has indicated that the City, State, County and others are involved in the discussions, which is as it should be.

I firmly believe that the lack of public pronouncements on this whole issue is a positive thing, not a negative. As we all learned in June, the premature airing of incomplete plans is misleading, and ultimately destructive to the interests of all concerned. As I will hopefully show, this issue is far bigger than the Blue Jackets, and accordingly deserves a corresponding level of attention, deliberation and planning. All of the involved parties need to feel free to float and explore various ideas in a secure and confidential environment. Engaging in unnecessary or premature public debate only fuels dissention, forces compromises that are ultimately unwise, and almost universally creates an adversarial atmosphere. If and when public debate is necessary, it will certainly take place. However, forcing it serves no useful purpose.

So, with my legal disclaimers in place, let’s explore not only what can be done, but why it should be done. Actually, if we focus more on the who and the why, the specific whats should take care of themselves.  Of course, we are operating at a disadvantage, in that we have no access to the specific dollar numbers involved, on part of any of the interested parties.  It makes sense then, to start with what we do know:

• The Blue Jackets are losing as much as $10 million per year
• Independent analysis of the club’s finances, via the NHL, has shown that the organization itself is financially and organizationally sound, with a solid market, but a crappy lease agreement that deprives the club of necessary revenue.
• Studies by the John Glenn School of Public Affairs have shown that the Blue Jackets and Nationwide Arena have fueled a $2 billion impact in the community.  Over $100 million per year in spending can be attributed to the CBJ and Arena, as well as a 300% increase in employment, and an amazing increase in annual sales by Arena District businesses from $78 million in 2000 to $1.6 billion in 2006.
• The public has received a $2 billion infusion to the local economy in return for a total net public cost of $36 million for the City of Columbus infrastructure improvements performed as part of the Arena District development.

Keep in mind that the primary reason we are even talking about a deficit situation is the election defeat in 1997.  As discussed in prior installments, that defeat came largely as the result of some poor timing, outsider influence, an unfortunate combination of a soccer stadium and arena in a single measure, and an unproven dream of an Arena District that revitalizes downtown.

That last element, which was one of the key barriers to success at the polls, is no longer an issue.  Subsequent history has validated the dream, and far exceeded even the rosiest predictions for the Arena District.  It continues to grow and thrive, and the addition of Huntington Park only adds to the draw.   However, as the Glenn studies show, it is the Arena and the Blue Jackets that have driven the District to the $2 billion economic engine it is today.

All of this comes as the result of the willingness of Nationwide and the McConnells to step forward, take substantial risk, and bring the City an NHL franchise, a first-class arena and renewed economic prosperity for the downtown.  Sure, Nationwide got some tax breaks and some favorable pricing on land, but without the boldness of McFerson and McConnell, we are not talking about hockey today.

So, the “whys” are pretty obvious – there is simply too much at stake – economically and otherwise – for a fix not to happen. Now, the question turns to who has skin in this game?  Obviously, Nationwide has been footing the bills and paying the losses on the arena, and the Blue Jackets have been subsidizing Nationwide through the sub-optimal lease arrangement.  That lease was necessary, however, to make the original project anywhere near feasible for Nationwide.

The City of Columbus has benefitted enormously from this deal. Sure, they put some millions out for infrastructure, but nothing that would not have been required eventually as that area got developed.  In the meantime, they are benefitting from the increased tax revenue, both personal and business, plus the derivative income streams from spending that occurs throughout the rest of the city.  Similarly, the business owners in the Arena District and adjacent areas have a vested interest in seeing this gravy train continue.

Franklin County and the FCCFC  have a big stake in the action.  Nationwide Arena has provided them with a privately funded adjunct to the Convention Center, enhanced capacity to attract larger conventions, and a professional sports team to enhance visibility.  Again, the Glenn reports highlight the impact that the entire operation has had upon tourism and spending in the region.

Finally, the State of Ohio and The Ohio State University have significant, if perhaps less obvious, interests in the game.  As documented in Part I of this series, the State and OSU were intimately involved in the genesis of this entire situation, and both have ongoing interests.  The state is interested at multiple levels, from the tax revenue that it derives from the economic engine of the Arena District, to its financial stake in the financing of the Schottenstein Center, to the more amorphous virtue of the only NHL franchise in the state.  OSU and Nationwide have been competitors in the Arena game since Day 1, and they are each taking a 50% slice of a small pie.  As one observer commented – “Columbus has two Class A venues in a Class B market.”  So, OSU is interested in a solution to this as well, but perhaps from a slightly less benevolent perspective.

I am not forgetting the fan base or the citizens in general.  However, the public has demonstrated its disdain for being a direct funding source on a couple of different occasions, and is not likely to be appreciably more receptive in the near future.  While any public participation involves some de facto citizen involvement, I don’t expect a direct appeal to the taxpayers to emerge from the ongoing discussions.

So, what possible solutions are there?  Frankly, there are too many to contemplate.  However, here are some factors that must be considered in the process of conceiving a solution:

• Government Involvement – There are lots of reasons why there are no private arenas for professional sports, and we are seeing why.  Arenas are more expensive to build (on a cost per patron basis) than stadiums, and the economic pressure put on the developers/owners and tenants is more than the private sector can usually bear. This is magnified here in Columbus, where two venues are competing for a relatively small market. Combine this with the public benefit that such structures bring to a community, as documented in the Glenn reports, and it is easy to see that some level of government involvement is both necessary and appropriate.
• Spreading The Risk – Up to now, Nationwide and the Blue Jackets have borne 100% of the risk associated with the Arena and the District.  That will undoubtedly change.  Look for some level of participation among all of the governments (City, County, State), plus potentially some involvement from other business leaders/organizations.  If Nationwide is interested in divesting of the Arena entirely, they could surrender equity to the larger group, or individual members, incrementally as contributions are made to the operations on an annual basis.
• Separate Jackets and Arena – While the Jackets economics relate to the Arena, the solution for them is not necessarily dependent upon a larger solution, at least not in the short term.  Keep in mind that the Jackets’ shortfall is due mostly to diverted revenue streams that most teams have in their pockets.  Nationwide could restore those revenue streams, or many of them.  Then, as a huge local employer and real estate owner, Nationwide has a large number of avenues to explore with the governmental entities to be made whole.  The Jackets themselves could enhance the value of their franchise by taking an ownership interest in the Arena.  According to Forbes, the CBJ have one of the best balance sheets of the U.S. NHL clubs, carrying very little debt.
• Be Part of a Larger,Creative Solution – many cities face the problem of how to provide funding for the cultural and entertainment needs that a thriving community requires.  Professional teams, art museums, symphonies and other cultural resources need and deserve public support.  That need not mean new taxes, however.  Seattle diverts a percentage of all building permit fees to a centralized fund that goes to the arts, including maintenance of public facilities.  Other cities create entertainment districts, where a portion of existing tax revenues arising from those districts is diverted to maintain the facilities in those districts.  Depending on the results of the forthcoming election, that revenue could include an Arena District casino.  The resources exist to have a fine symphony, a competitive hockey team, a thriving concert and event business and a lot more.
• Retain Perspective – Be patient, get the details right, have a communication plan, and control the debate.  This is not Phoenix, where the franchise lost over $200 million in the past three years.  This is a solid hockey market, and there is plenty of government interest in finding a solution.  In my interview with Commissioner John O’Grady, he very directly indicated that a) the need for public support had been apparent for a long time, and b) the necessary parties would come together and find a way.  That is precisely what needs to happen.

The Chamber of Commerce report will be out soon, and then the work will begin in earnest.  We may not hear about it for awhile, but that is just fine.  It’s not important to do it soon, or do it in public.  It is important to do it correctly.

A lot was accomplished, and even more was learned, during that frenetic dash to the playoffs in March and the all-too-brief four game playoff appearance. The team found another level of effort during that Game 4, and appeared to grasp a communal understanding of what was needed for playoff hockey. At the same time, Columbus fans found a new level of passion and commitment that knocked the assembled media and NHL officials for a loop.

That Game 4 was a galvanizing experience for Blue Jackets hockey. When you listen to Hitchcock talk, he clearly learned something by that experience – and this is a man who has hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup. His philosophy hasn’t changed, but there are some tweaks, some enhancements, a little bit of flash in the game. The players are speaking with one voice about the system and the talent. GM Scott Howson has been decisive and targeted, both in filling specific holes (Pahlsson, Garon, Stralman), and in securing his existing talent (Nash, Brassard, Vermette). For the first time in memory, the Blue Jackets had some really talented players in camp who couldn’t make the team.

Now that the rehearsals are over, and opening night is at hand, it is time to look at what has been added, what is missing, and what it will take to keep the show playing into June.

First, the new. Sammi Pahlsson was brought in to anchor the checking line and fill the shoes of Manny Malhotra, who was unable to reach terms with the club and was allowed to explore free agency. He brings the type of solid skating, puck handling, grit and responsibility that both Hitchcock and Howson seek. While there may be some dropoff in faceoffs from Malhotra, one of the league’s best in the circle, the Jackets are counting on Vermette, Murray, Blunden and Brassard to make up for any shortfall.

Even more significant for the organization is the addition of Mathieu Garon to provide much-needed backup for Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason. Although AHL veteran Dan LaCosta played well in two critical games down the stretch, he did not command the trust of the organization, nor did regular backup Wade Dubielewicz. Hitchcock unabashedly rode young Mason all the way to the playoffs, even through a significant bout of mononucleosis. This ultimately showed in young Mason’s performance down the stretch, which was heady but not up to his lofty standards. With one exception, Garon played extremely well in the pre-season, and should provide the cushion needed to keep Mason fresh for the entire season.

Michael Blunden was added to compete for the 4th line center slot and provide depth at wing. Most recently, Scott Howson crafted a trade with Calgary to bring young defenseman Anton Stralman into the fold. This was a typical Howson move, bringing in a player who flew under the radar for many, but fits the specific profile of the player the team lacked – a defenseman with a right handed-shot, good size, a heavy shot from the point, and good skating and puck moving ability. Calgary fans were not pleased with this trade, which saw a 3rd round draft pick head north, as Stralman had an excellent camp. In Columbus, Stralman will help the much-maligned power play, and will add some much needed shooting credibility at the blue line. With Fedor Tyutin and Kris Russell, all of the anticipated pairings will now have a legitimate offensive threat from the defensive corps.

The final new components are the full-time debut of highly-touted winger Nikita Filatov, the club’s first round pick in 2008, and a healthy Derick Brassard. In his eight game NHL audition last year, Filatov notched four goals, including a hat trick. He added some heft to his wiry frame over the summer, and impressed Hitchock with his commitment to the defensive end of the ice in camp. Though the coach would never admit it in public, the young Russian’s shooting and passing abilities are eyebrow-raising. He and R.J. Umberger will likely alternate second and third line duties, depending upon the opponents and the matchups. In the meantime, Brassard has demonstrated the deftness with the puck that made him the leading Calder Trophy candidate last year, until a shoulder injury sidelined him for the year at the 31 game mark. He will provide Nash and Huselius with the true #1 center they have lacked, making that a very scary line.

What is missing? Not a lot, if the truth be told. Malhotra was the most visible departure, due both to his faceoff prowess and his popularity with the fan base. However, he was a fish out of water much of the year, attempting to center the top line with a skill set more attuned to the third or fourth line. While capable of some slick plays, he more often missed the mark on open opportunities. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen took some physical play with him, but was a true liability with the puck, and lacked the quickness necessary to adequately defend his own zone. Michael Peca’s leadership in the room will likely be missed, but retirement looms for Peca, who was a game competitor to the end, but ultimately no longer has the skills to compete at the NHL level on a consistent basis. Winger Jason Williams was allowed to sign with the dreaded Red Wings, a move that perplexed many in the Blue Jacket fan base. Williams brought a sniper’s shot to both the even strength game and the power play, and was a key contributor down the stretch. A healthy Raffi Torres will be slotted to fill that gap.

These targeted changes, combined with another year of experience for the likes of Nash, Russell, Umberger, Torres and others, have led to a more all-encompassing change, at least if pre-season is any indicator. In past seasons, the Jackets have been primarily a three-player offensive club. The defense manned the points, tried to keep the puck in the zone, but ultimately were called upon to begin retreating if possession was even debatable. Without a right hand shot, or a real power shooter at the point, the club had to rely on some fancy playmaking down low to score.

This Blue Jacket team has speed to burn – at every position. It seems that this has led Hitchcock to loosen the reins a bit, allowing the defense to penetrate and become a more integral part of the offense. This, of course, is a recipe that the Red Wings have used with success for ages, and Hitchcock candidly admitted having some skull sessions among the Canadian Olympic coaches (led by the Red Wings’ Mike Babcock). The result has been a dramatic increase in the number of shots the Jackets have been able to put on goal, and a corresponding increase in the minutes of possession in the offensive zone. This should bode well for a significant boost in offensive production, which last year was in the bottom third of the league. It will also take heat off of the defense and goaltending, which already were well within the top half of the league last season.

In the murderously competitive Western Conference, and particularly the Central Division, which will again threaten to place 4 or 5 teams in the post-season, these changes are essential. The one Achilles’ Heel shared by many teams in the West is goaltending. On the more seasoned end of the spectrum, Luongo had a shaky start against Calgary, and merits watching. Turco needs to re-discover his game in Dallas, and Kiprusoff needs to improve his consistency. Khabibulin, Osgood and Huet will provide many grey hairs to their respective coaching staffs and fans. On the other end, Mason (St. Louis), Rinne (Nashville) and Hiller (Anaheim) must show that the flashes of brilliance they displayed last year were not flukes. Sure, Steve Mason needs to do the same for Columbus, but with Garon backstopping him, the Blue Jackets have among the best tandems in the West.

For the Jackets to reprise their playoff debut, they will need to remain healthy. While they have tons of young depth, they lack a lot of veteran leadership. Klesla, Commodore and Hejda will need to be solid in their own zone, allowing Russell, Tyutin and Stralman to work some offensive magic. With more trusted depth and experience on the blue line, this should be feasible, as the extreme minutes the Commodore/Hejda pairing were called upon to provide will ease off this year.

Similarly, the young studs must contribute. Filatov, Brassard, Voracek, Umberger will be called upon to produce, and the betting line is that they will do just that. The Jackets can trot out three lines capable of putting some big numbers on the board, and likely have the biggest offensive upside potential of any team in the West. With a healthy Brassard, Nash should challenge the 50 goal and 100 point marks.

This is an Olympic year, so the teams will be coming hard out of the gate, knowing that they will have a lengthy break in February. Columbus was hurt by a rash of hip flexor pulls and flu cases that limited the time the veterans had to work together. On the positive side, they youngsters benefitted from some major minutes in the pre-season. After a home opener, Columbus embarks on a tough West Coast trip, and plays the majority of their first dozen on the road. Toughness and execution will be necessary to bring a competitive record back home. A solid October will put them in good shape later in the year. With another year of experience with the Hitchcock system, and some serious talent, the Blue Jackets should be in every game.

The curtain goes up on Saturday night against Minnesota. It promises to be a good show.