grsbmd 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) Columbus has made so many changes, I really have no idea what to expect next year: Lost: Gilbert Brule Nikolai Zherdev Dan Fritche Ron Hainsey Added: R.J. Umberger Raffi Torres Fedor Tyutin Christian Backman Mike Commodore Kristian Huselius (maybe Nikita Filatov too) I might have even missed some, but it's hard to know what they'll be like. They could be way better, way worse, or about the same. Edited July 3, 2008 by grsbmd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datsyukonethree 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Well they can't get much worse, so I'm going to go with "about the same." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Probert 5 For Fighting 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 I think Columbus is a lot better now. They lost one decent forward(Zherdev, who's all bark and no bite), and gained 3 good ones in Torres, Filatov and Huselius. The key here is defensively. Jan Hejda and Rudy Klesla are two of the best defensive defensemen in the league, and adding Commodore makes them that much better on the backend. Tyutin is also able in his own end, and he can contribute offensively. And you can do a lot worse than Christian Backman as your 4th or 5th Dman. Good offseason for the Blue Jackets, in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jawbreaker 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 If they could add one good center (like Demitra), then they would be in great shape. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 They're one good setup man at center away from making a trip to the postseason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henrik The Great 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Don't forget that they traded for R.J. Umberger at the draft. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Columbus is serious this year. And with Hitch behind the bench, they can only improve. Not saying they'll snag a postseason berth this coming season, but they may end up close. All depends on how they start out of the gate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grsbmd 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Don't forget that they traded for R.J. Umberger at the draft. I knew I forgot someone. I'll add it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 I think Columbus is a lot better now. They lost one decent forward(Zherdev, who's all bark and no bite), and gained 3 good ones in Torres, Filatov and Huselius. The key here is defensively. Jan Hejda and Rudy Klesla are two of the best defensive defensemen in the league, and adding Commodore makes them that much better on the backend. Tyutin is also able in his own end, and he can contribute offensively. And you can do a lot worse than Christian Backman as your 4th or 5th Dman. Good offseason for the Blue Jackets, in my opinion. If they could add one good center (like Demitra), then they would be in great shape. Yeah I think they'll be a lot better this year. They do need a center and have to find a way to get one. Nash has no good setup man. Will they make the playoffs? I dunno. The Coyotes are improved and so are the Oilers and Hawks so getting into the playoffs will be tough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrossCheck24 2 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 They're one good setup man at center away from making a trip to the postseason. They need a goalie, and Chicago is going to be much improved this year as well. I would pick Chicago to make the playoffs before the BJs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 They might be slightly improved. But when Kristian Huselius is your big FA splash, you're just spinning your wheels. I don't think they're a playoff team yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DraperFan MN 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 I believed the Central was a better division last year, and this year, it will be markedly improved. Columbus and Chicago will battle for 2nd place and I believe St. Louis will place third. I just think Nashville has lost too much to compete. I think what Columbus has done will go a long way towards getting a playoff spot, but it will still be tough. I think Chicago makes the playoffs because they now have premier defenseman, but their hopes do hinge on Campbell's ability to deliver. Detroit, barring some major meltdown, wins the division obviously :afro: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lfd250 1 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 I've sat back and just read the many post of different teams and how they'll be this coming year with soandso. Fact of the matter is, if a TEAM doesn't jell then it really doesn't matter. If the BlueJackets can come together as a team then they will make the playoffs. Kroner is our only 1st round draft pick since 2000 playing on the team. (of course we haven't had any 1st round pics) Put we put a team together of lower draft picks and free agents, came together as a team and won a cup. Pitts didn't win because of no talent, they lost because they didn't come together as a team and put it all on Cindy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 They need a goalie, and Chicago is going to be much improved this year as well. I would pick Chicago to make the playoffs before the BJs I'm one to believe Pascal Leclaire is plenty capable to start on any NHL team, just throwing that out there. I'd say they improved, but I don't think enough to make the playoffs. While they improved, there are other non playoff teams that improved even moreso. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Lost: Gilbert Brule - None Factor Nikolai Zherdev - Big surprise he got traded Dan Fritche - liked him alot Ron Hainsey - He was goodon my fantasy team Added: R.J. Umberger - RJ Replaced Dan Raffi Torres - Raffi is way better then Brule Fedor Tyutin - Christian Backman - Mike Commodore - Kristian Huselius Loosing Brule isn't much of a lose, he hasn't done anything.. Nikolai is a surprise i figured they;d keep him around for Filatov's sake.. Dan is a surprise i thought he was really turning into a stud. Hainsey did my fantasy team well RJ is a good gain, he proved to be a playoff warrior.. Torres on a bad day is a gritty as hell forward .. Torres on a good day is gritty as hell and can score.. Fedor is a reliable d-man to help fortify there weak D.. Backman is a puckmoving d-man with good size that helms fortify there D also. Commodore is that Shut down d-man that isgoing to make teams in the central cry wolf because he is a friggin wreckin ball.. Kristian will be a good 2nd line winger, Hopefully CBJ he wont get in the doghouse and will be a reliable player. Basically they lost 3 gamers.. but in return added 6. Looks good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 they also lost Adam Foote and Feds Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Probert 5 For Fighting 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 I've sat back and just read the many post of different teams and how they'll be this coming year with soandso. Fact of the matter is, if a TEAM doesn't jell then it really doesn't matter. If the BlueJackets can come together as a team then they will make the playoffs. Kroner is our only 1st round draft pick since 2000 playing on the team. (of course we haven't had any 1st round pics) Put we put a team together of lower draft picks and free agents, came together as a team and won a cup. Pitts didn't win because of no talent, they lost because they didn't come together as a team and put it all on Cindy. They lost because the Redwings were better in every facet of the game. Not because of the made up reason you just stated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckbags 863 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 They might be slightly improved. But when Kristian Huselius is your big FA splash, you're just spinning your wheels. I don't think they're a playoff team yet. I agree...Huselius is so streaky its brutal, he played on a line with Iginla and still couldn't remain consistent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA Report post Posted July 3, 2008 They lost because the Redwings were better in every facet of the game. Not because of the made up reason you just stated. /thread Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 I don't expect them to do much this year, but they definitely have more of a blue-collar team now with hard working, grinding players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman54 91 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 They had a solid offseason, but I think the west is too strong for them to have a chance to reach the post-season. With teams like Chicago, Edmonton, and even Pheonix improving, I think the Jackets will hold out alittle longer until they reach that top 8. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jawbreaker 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 West is strong. All bad/average teams improved. On the paper bottom teams are LA, and the Blues. Every other team has a good shot to play after the regular season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
