Our collective maalox moment

The day we've all been waiting for has come and gone - the opening of NHL free agency - and the Columbus Blue Jackets signed one player, their own Derek MacKenzie to a two-year, two-way deal.  With no disrespect to our AHL captain, whose motor is something that I wish other CBJ players had, I'm sure this signing was not what the CBJ fan base was looking for.  Too many "name" players are shifting teams, and fans obviously want their team in the midst of the action.

(I'll also grant that grabbing former Oilers captain Ethan Moreau off waivers on Free Agency Day Eve kinda-sorta felt like a free agency pickup.  But Moreau isn't a flashy, top six forward.  He's a checking line guy.)

I'll again point out the blog piece posted on Puck Rakers the other day, and I'll toss in the piece that I posted at the trade deadline last season that said virtually the same thing: General manager Scott Howson has gone all-in on his current young core of players with their longer-term contracts.  Read 'em and weep.  The club appears loathe to spend much more money, especially with Jake Voracek and Steve Mason's new contracts on the horizon.  Can't really blame them.

So today is our maalox moment.  Teams are shifting their rosters left and right - or at least it feels like it - and we're largely standing pat, waiting for our youngsters grow up and become the consistent stars that we know think hope wish pray they will be.

For, if they do, the Blue Jackets will exceed the fans' Free Agency Day expectations.  And it will be one helluva run.

And if they don't.....gulp!