That's the Columbus Blue Jackets' number one line. Rick Nash is a former league scoring champion who probably will flirt with 80 points this season. For all of his oh-so-many faults, Kristian Huselius is on track for a 64-point season. Antoine Vermette already has 49 points and can get over 60 if he stays on pace. There IS some scoring talent on this line.
One shot on goal.
The Jackets traded away Raffi Torres, one of their top clutch scorers and setup guys. They need the people that have been identified as scorers - primarily the top line, but also the second line - to score and score in bunches to take the pressure off an overworked and under-appreciated defense - and a goalie who can't stand on his head for all sixty minutes of every game.
I don't care how good San Jose's team defense is, and I'm not asking for the shots to convert every time. But it's a fact of life in hockey: If you don't shoot, you don't score. Our guys didn't shoot, and the Blue Jackets lost, 2-1.
One shot on goal.
These three players represent 27 percent of the Columbus Blue Jackets' entire salary cap hit. (per NHL Numbers). Over one-quarter of the salary budget on three players who are supposed to be shooting and scoring for us. And how many shots did they take?
One shot on goal.
I hope that Nash, Vermette and Huselius are thoroughly embarrassed at their performance. I as a Jackets fan am embarrassed for them, if that matters.
What's GM Scott Howson going to do to get the scoring flowing on this team? When can we bank on 3-to-5-ish goals a game and forget these random acts of scoring prowess? Will help come from free agency? The draft? Inside the team? Someone in Syracuse?
One shot on goal.
Ridiculous.
One shot on goal.
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