Ethan Moreau joins the Leadership Cavalry

Remember that stuff I wrote about how the draft won't impact the Columbus Blue Jackets this season?  Well, this development will.  Or, at least, it should.

One of the nasty little truths about the 2009-2010 Columbus Blue Jackets is that our young team was pretty much rudderless when the team went south on Ken Hitchcock.  There are plenty of reasons why that could be, but one factor was that Michael Peca wasn't in the room to keep the very young skilled players - the kids - in line.  He smoothed over some of Ken Hitchcock's rougher edges and - despite not having the "C" on his jersey - was credited as a major factor in keeping the locker room focussed through the stretch run.

Despite playing in 71 games in 2008-2009, Peca only had 22 points (4 goals, 18 assists).  He had a -6 rating.  He wasn't a top-six forward.  But his value to the team was cemented in 2009-2010, when the incredible early start to the season evaporated into a morass of poor play and piled up losses.  No one was there in the locker room to crack the whip with the kids.

So general manager Scott Howson traded away Jason Chimera to grab a "Michael Peca-style" (my words) player, Chris Clark.  Clark was the Washington Capitals' captain when the trade took place, and it was his job to help fill the locker room leadership void.  This, of course, is almost impossible to do as a mid-season trade.  You need a training camp at minimum to get to know your teammates, develop chemistry, learn the personalities.  Clark had none of those advantages.  Sure, he put up a whopping 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points in 36 games for the CBJ (7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points overall in 2009-2010).  But that's not why Scott Howson is paying him $2.6 million a season.  Clark's role is to be a veteran leader.

Apparently, Chris Clark is not enough.

The Dispatch on why the CBJ won't be players in free agency

Aaron Portzline at the Dispatch nails the current state of financial and contractual affairs with the Columbus Blue Jackets - the real ones, not the pretend ones suiting up for developmment camp today - in this Puck Rakers piece:

Howson has committed himself and this franchise to this group of players. Not just verbally, but contractually. With the expected moves this summer, they'll be less than $9 million under next season's salary cap ($59.4), with goaltender Steve Mason and right winger Jake Voracek due new contracts by next summer. 

Until it all fell apart this past season, Howson was lauded for the moves, both locally and nationally. It was held up as proof that players wanted to be in Columbus for the long haul, and a sign that the franchise was ready to be a perrenial playoff club. He freely acknowledged he was following the Cleveland Indians model from the 1990s under former Tribe general manager John Hart. 

The point is, it is not possible for Howson to lock down his core into the distant future one summer, and then be a free agent gangbuster the next. It's one or the other, and he has staked the Blue Jackets' future -- and likely his own in Columbus -- on the club's young core.

Must read material.  In fact, I had a blog post almost identical in style in me - now, I'll just suggest you read this and save me the heavy lifting!

On that Jared Boll extension

Word has come out via the Dispatch that the Columbus Blue Jackets and Jared Boll's agent are working on a long-term extension to avoid arbitration for the restricted free agent.

Readers of this blog know that I'm a really big fan of General Manager Scott Howson.  But this one, however, has me baffled.

First, you have to consider his statistics:

• 2007-2008: 75 games played, 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points, +/- of -4, 226 PIMs, 8:01 avg. time on ice
• 2008-2009: 75 games played, 4 goals, 10 assists, 14 points, +/- of -6, 180 PIMs, 8:54 avg. time on ice
• 2009-2010: 68 games played, 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points, +/- of -8, 149 PIMs, 7:12 avg. time on ice

So, coming off his worst year for points, plus-minus, avg. time on ice and PIMs (remember, he's a "fighter" so more PIMs theoretically is good), Boll is in line for a long-term contract?  Is this bizarro world?

The Johansen pick

As I understand it, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson tried his darndest to trade back, grab some more assets and still pick Ryan Johansen.  That didn't happen, so Howson drafted Johansen anyway.

Even the casual CBJ hockey fan knows that the Jackets desperately needed a top line (premier) center.  (Or a top-pair defenseman, or perhaps a development goalie...)  So what did we draft?  A center.

And what do we know about said center, you ask?

Puck Rakers: Johansen is not going to be Rick Nash's center in 2010-11. He'll be given a chance to impress at development camp and training camp, but he's almost certain to go back to junior next season. He has two years of junior eligibility remaining, and it's quite possible he uses both years.

Central Scouting (courtesy of The Cannon): He has good on-ice vision and also angles well on the forecheck. He has the intelligence to play power-play as well as penalty kill. He can be shifty and has the ability to beat a defenseman one-on-one. Once he fills out and gains more strength he could turn raw talent into a valuable center at both ends of rink. He has displayed nice playmaking capabilities and this should continue at the next level.

 (I added the emphasis in both cases.)

So we have immediate needs, and we draft a longer-term prospect.  Which makes sense, as the kid is only 17 years old.

I'm pleased that the 2013-2014 pipeline is filling up, but we still need help now.  Johansen could be incredible, but - barring a miracle - he's not going to impact what I see at Nationwide Arena this fall.

And that's why I'm much more interested in the forthcoming trades and/or free agent signings than the draft.

My $0.02 on the draft

Not a ton of time to type, so I'll get straight to the point.

First, the NHL draft is about projecting 3-ish years down the road and figuring out what you need to fill gaps at that point.  These are raw (high school age, largely) kids who are going to go back to juniors (like John Moore, Steve Mason, etc.) or, if they're really good, the AHL.  Sure there are always a small handful of players who actually go straight from the draft to an NHL roster, but that group is so small as to be statistically insignificant.

This makes the NHL draft very different than, say, the NFL draft where a team's draft is a bust if the top 3 rounds' players don't make the roster.  Also different than the NBA draft where, at only 2 rounds, the first-rounder is pretty much expected to step in and play a lot of minutes.

In the NHL, the draft is all about development.  Which makes the whole hoopla surrounding the draft kinda silly - except for the fact that it gives Columbus Blue Jackets fans an excuse to engage in serious puck talk in the middle of the offseason.  And I like that excuse.  Even though I can't do it this year.  (Damn you, Ohio University!)

So let's look ahead and think about what the Columbus  Blue Jackets really need in the 3-ish year window.  It seems that General Manager Scott Howson has restocked the cabinet with defensemen - enough that one or two of those wet noodles will stick to the wall and be productive NHL players.  We could stand to be a little deeper at forward, with a need to improve general depth up and down the organization.  Forward depth would be helped dramatically if a certain petulant Russian would get his rear end back to the States...but I digress.

My opinion on this draft: We need a good goalie.

The Dark Blue Jacket CBJ draft party comparison

So, you're planning to go downtown tomorrow night for the great summer fun that is the NHL Draft.  And you hear that there are a couple different parties going on.  And you have no idea where to go to get your Columbus Blue Jackets fix.

Worry not, you poor, lost soul.  I've taken the guesswork out of this tough choice and put it into a simple table form for your reviewing pleasure:

DBJ's NHL Draft Party Comparison

Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Party		The Hockey Writers  NHL Draft Live Webcast
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio	LOCATION	R Bar Arena, Columbus, Ohio
6PM - 9-ish PM	HOURS	7PM-Close (The R Bar is open at 10:30AM for lunch, though, so why not make a day of it?)
Free	ADMISSION COST	No cover, but have an ID certifying you are over 21
Free in the Nationwide Arena garage	PARKING	Use the Nationwide Arena garage and walk the .1 mile
VERSUS draft feed on the big screen augmented by local discussion simulcast on 1460AM "The Fan"	DRAFT COVERAGE	Live webcast featuring noted CBJ journalist/bloggers including The Hockey Writers' CBJ man, Rick Gethin, and prospect guru, Christopher Ralph; Ten Minute Misconduct's Jeff Little.  Guests will be brought in throughout the entire first round.
Free 10th Season T-Shirt for the first 500 fans Free Public Skate in the Dispatch Ice Haus from 5PM - 7PM Street hockey on the arena floor for kids Locker Room tours Food and beverage specials Merchandise and used equipment sale Prizes given away throughout the night Investigate/purchase 2010-2011 ticket packages (and choose your seats)	WHAT YOU CAN DO	Hang at Columbus' premier hockey watering hole with some of the Blue Jackets' hard core fans Eat fine pub food Drink adult beverages Watch every imaginable event on the many TV's (and most likely the VERSUS draft coverage, which I guess would be on mute)
John Moore (6-7PM) Derek Dorsett (7-8PM) Antoine Vermette (8-9PM) CBJ broadcast personalities (if you catch 'em walking by)	AUTOGRAPHS?	Ummm...R Bar management?
Lots of people.  Lots of families.  Lots of stuff to do.  Lots of chaos.  Lots of lines (if last year was any indication).  Lots of excellent memories and up-close experiences.	WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT	Lots of cameraderie.  Serious hockey talk with knowledgable peeps.
If you have kids, bring 'em.  If you're in a shopping mood, bring a credit card.  If you want to eat (and it's not a short event), bring cash.  If you want autographs, bring something for the guys to sign.  And, no matter what, bring a camera.	WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING	Bring your ID.  Bring your credit card.  And, if you want to keep up with the talk, bring the latest copy of The Hockey News or a mobile internet device that will enable you to rattle off the name of the CBJ's second captain in less than 3 seconds.  (Seriously, the folks are really cool with the noobs.  No fear is warranted.)
While hockey fans of all ages are welcomed and will not feel ill at ease, this is a family-oriented event.  It's also a terrific way for the uninitiated to learn more about the great CBJ ticket packages.	TARGET AUDIENCE	Adults only (not in an obscene way...it's just that the event is being held at a bar), and especially for the serious CBJ fan who's looking to connect with other serious CBJ fans.
Not that I know of.	CAN I EXPERIENCE THE JOY (IN A NON-CLAUDE NOEL WAY) FROM HOME?	Log onto the live webcast and take part in the live chat.

Now for my personal opinion: Because the two places are a whopping .1 mile away from each other (and accessible via a pedestrian bridge), I'd try to hit both if I did not have any children in tow.  The Nationwide event is really quite fun, even for adults, but the R Bar is an experience in and of itself.  

Sadly, I won't be able to attend either this year...but I fully expect to hear stories of revelry and awe for the rest of the summer from those who do go!  Have fun, be safe, and CARRY THE FLAG!

Your summer CBJ fix is on the way

Got this email from the fine folks at Fox Sports Ohio:

---

BLUE JACKETS LIVE - SUMMER SPECIAL

On FOX Sports Ohio

Follow the Jackets’ offseason moves July 1 at 7:30pm

CLEVELAND, OHIO – FOX Sports Ohio and the Columbus Blue Jackets are excited to announce a new summer program, Blue Jackets Live – Summer Special, presented by Toyota Direct, premiering Thursday, July 1 at 7:30pm.

This 30-minute show with FOX Sports Ohio Blue Jackets broadcasters Ray Crawford, Bill Davidge, John Michael and Jeff Rimer will bring Blue Jackets fans up to speed on their team’s off-season news.

The show features interviews with the Jackets’ new Head Coach Scott Arniel and General Manager Scott Howson. Rimer will also talk to the Blue Jackets first round pick at the site of the NHL Draft, which will be held June 25-26 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

Tickets! Get yer tickets!

The Columbus Blue Jackets released their 2010-2011 schedule yesterday, and one thing crossed my mind: Pity the poor ticket sales representatives. This is a lousy economic environment to be selling entertainment right now, especially for a team that is not at or near the top of their game.

As background, I was witness on Monday to a ticket sale that I've never seen before in my lifetime. After over ten years of mediocrity in coaching (sometimes not even mediocre, Coach Willingham), recruiting and on-field performance, the University of Notre Dame's football program may have hit rock bottom. The school that has sold out every home game since 1973 apparently is dealing with plummeting season ticket and alumni  demand for tickets, leading to a public sale for all 7 home games.  Only once in my life do I remember just one game went on sale to the general public.  But all seven??  Even scarier for the Irish, you could buy huge blocks of tickets for some games - up to 20 tickets together for some games!  (Oh yeah, ND raised ticket prices this year, too, not the brightest of moves under the Dome.)

10th Anniversary Logo video montage

The logo is solid (nothing we haven't seen before), but I really like this video.



Makes you want to watch some hockey, doesn't it?

It starts NOW (2011 Stanley Cup odds)

Here's today's line for 2011 Stanley Cup championship odds per Bodog.com - not that I endorse gambling, although I dabbled in it for the first time in Vegas back in March and enjoyed watching the West Viriginia Mountaineers' perpetual failure against the spread.

The entire NHL, with current odds, is listed after the fold.  I've got a few really poorly-informed thoughts as well.