Peca Signs with Columbus

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Schit, that aschole come to our division. Zeta, Dats and Kronner should be aware about Peca's knee tackles.

Sean Connery? Is that you?

[yankeebaddabing 0]

The BJ's need all the help they can get, So they won't blow so bad!!

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I don't care what anyone says, Columbus improved a lot this off season. They were going strong at end of last season, they got rid of some riff-raff, and they got a decent player in Peca. This could be the upstart team of the season, quite possibly contending for one of the lower playoff spots.

I agree. Columbus is simply a team whos number might be up right now. Theyve had a team with tons of potential talent for a while now, and this year is probably the year where a lot of that will come out for them. I think Wings fans should be a little less cocky. Columbus gave the Wings lots of trouble last year, and they havent lost any key pieces. Injuries tackled that team last year, itll be a rarity if it occurs again like it happened last year. With Hitchcock, Peca, fewer injuries, and the young guys having another year under their belt, they might be a bit of a force this year. Maybe even 7-8, like you said.

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

I'm sorry to every1 who wants to see colombus get better (i do too), but this is just a dumb move on Peca's part. Take Colombus over the Rangers?? What? The guys never won a cup, and he's not going to either if he signs with non-contenders over contenders. Maybe he thinks that since the Oilers were a fluke and made it to the finals that any underdog he's on will do the same, but if I were in his position I would have gone with the team more likely to win me a cup, not the team where i'd get more cash and playing time. That being said, playing against him will make our guys better, so that's a plus.

[eva unit zero 271]

I'm sorry to every1 who wants to see colombus get better (i do too), but this is just a dumb move on Peca's part. Take Colombus over the Rangers?? What? The guys never won a cup, and he's not going to either if he signs with non-contenders over contenders. Maybe he thinks that since the Oilers were a fluke and made it to the finals that any underdog he's on will do the same, but if I were in his position I would have gone with the team more likely to win me a cup, not the team where i'd get more cash and playing time. That being said, playing against him will make our guys better, so that's a plus.

New York has a weaker blueline than Columbus, as scary as that is. Honestly I think the only major difference in talent at any position between Columbus and New York is the goaltender. If Leclaire can live up to his supposed potential, and the chemistry works out with guys like Nash, Fedorov, Zherdev, Vyborny, Peca, Brule, Novotny, Fritsche, and Modin, then Columbus definitely could be a higher echeleon team in the conference within a couple seasons. The average age of Columbus' core players (top 6F-3D-1G) is 27.6, as compared with New York's 30.2. Columbus has four core players under 25, while NYR has none.

[JayUp88 1]

Good pick up by the BJ. i think they are on their way up

[Kp-Wings 3]

Sean Connery? Is that you?

[vangvace 12]

I'm sorry to every1 who wants to see colombus get better (i do too), but this is just a dumb move on Peca's part. Take Colombus over the Rangers?? What? The guys never won a cup, and he's not going to either if he signs with non-contenders over contenders. Maybe he thinks that since the Oilers were a fluke and made it to the finals that any underdog he's on will do the same, but if I were in his position I would have gone with the team more likely to win me a cup, not the team where i'd get more cash and playing time. That being said, playing against him will make our guys better, so that's a plus.

Good move for him IMO.

The NYR are going to be sniffing for a playoff spot when the trade deadline comes around so he's married to them wether they make it or not.

Now by going to Columbus it will be very clear what their chances are before the trade deadline of going to the playoffs. He spends some time there, they continue to be Columbus and he's a rent-a-player to a contender. Plus add the fact that playing in Columbus should make him look good as well.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I agree. Columbus is simply a team whos number might be up right now. Theyve had a team with tons of potential talent for a while now, and this year is probably the year where a lot of that will come out for them. I think Wings fans should be a little less cocky. Columbus gave the Wings lots of trouble last year, and they havent lost any key pieces. Injuries tackled that team last year, itll be a rarity if it occurs again like it happened last year. With Hitchcock, Peca, fewer injuries, and the young guys having another year under their belt, they might be a bit of a force this year. Maybe even 7-8, like you said.

As an Ohio resident I root for the Jackets except for when they play Detroit.

Here's what I like about Columbus

1. Ken Hitchcock. The guy employs a boring style of hockey but the Blue Jackets have the right personnel for that style. Plus, the BJ's were 8 games under .500 before Hitch and only 1 game 28-29 under .500 after. The guy is a proven winning coach.

2. Rick Nash. If healthy he can't play any worse than last season. When the kid scores 27 times and its an off year that's saying something. I look for him to claw his way back to the 40 goal range.

3. Gilbert Brule. The kid has mad talent and will get more responsibility this year with a full season now under his belt.

4. Freddy Modin. One of the most underrated players the past 5 years. He's posted 3 straight 20+ goal seasons and nobody knows who he is.

5. Sergei Fedorov. If he's got anything left, he'll show it this year. Contract season for him I believe.

6. David Vyborny. Another good player who can put up points if given good linemates

7. Blue Collar Work Ethic, they play the way Hitch likes. Malhotra, Peca, Chimera, they finish their checks and play hard.

8. X-Factors: Dan Fritsche and Nick Zherdev. Loads of speed and good skill. If Fritsche can take the next step forward (think Lee Stempniak) and if Zherdev realizes there are 4 other guys skating with him then maybe they can do some damage.

9. Leadership. With Feds, Peca and Foote they have a quality group of veterans that will help steer the ship.

What I don't like

1. Defense is suspect. Hainsey started to show some of the skill that made him the #13 overall pick. Can he improve even more with some new found confidence? Other than he and Foote they don't have anybody you would kill to have on your team. BUT, they do have size and will play tough. Hitch will like that.

2. Leclair. He could be the real deal. He's better than the other guy already who I can't even remember his name. Reminds me alot of MA Fleury. Playing behind a crappy team he just needed some support up front to show what he could do. Leclair could follow suit if the Jackets don't hang him out to dry 3 times per period. Despite posting a ridiculous good win-loss record, Fleury's numbers weren't much better than Pascal's. We'll see.

My Prediction. Columbus will finish above .500 for the first time ever. The past 2 years they had 35 wins and 33 wins. They're definitely knocking on the door. However I am not picking them for the playoffs because in my mind Chicago has improved the most and will be the biggest surprise of the West.

[Chase 0]

Gotta love BJ's! I mean THEE BJ's....

[StaticWithABeat 0]

I still have major doubts about the BJ's ability to make the playoffs...I think their biggest problem is a lack of team chemistry, especially in their top 6. Nash should be scoring way more than 27 goals a year, but he has yet to play with anyone he really clicks with. They have some good parts on that team, if players can gel together and form solid lines (and their defense overachieves) they could be in business. Who knows, maybe Nash-Fedorov-Voracek and Modin-Brule-Vyborny will turn into the hottest line combo in the NHL and they'll become an 100-point team. That's what I like about a salary cap league...teams can go from doormat to contender (or vice versa) practically overnight.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I still have major doubts about the BJ's ability to make the playoffs...I think their biggest problem is a lack of team chemistry, especially in their top 6. Nash should be scoring way more than 27 goals a year, but he has yet to play with anyone he really clicks with. They have some good parts on that team, if players can gel together and form solid lines (and their defense overachieves) they could be in business. Who knows, maybe Nash-Fedorov-Voracek and Modin-Brule-Vyborny will turn into the hottest line combo in the NHL and they'll become an 100-point team. That's what I like about a salary cap league...teams can go from doormat to contender (or vice versa) practically overnight.

Columbus's biggest problem is that they're so used to losing, that they can't do anything else. Everytime they face adversity they fold the tent, because that's what they've done in the past. They've also made some risky moves over the years like bringing in an aging Fedorov and an injury riddled Berard. No chance they make the playoffs this year, since you need 100 points to make it in the West, which is too big a leap for them.