Central Focus: Columbus Blue Jackets
Kyle Andrew Busch on Sun, 2011-07-31 16:59
The Columbus Blue Jackets made headlines in Ohio as they snatched up Jeff Carter from the Philadelphia Flyers. They dealt away Jabuk Voracek and a 1st round pick (8th overall - Sean Couturier) to get Carter, which seems like a potentially steep price. Carter has been injured often, but when he's healthy, he's a complete sniper. This might be what Rick Nash needs to help the jackets into the playoffs.
Departures
| PLAYER | 2011-12 Team |
| Andrew Murray, C | San Jose |
| Sami Lepisto, D | Chicago |
| Mike Commodore, D | Detroit |
| Jan Hejda, D | Colorado |
| Scottie Upshall, RW | Florida |
| Mathieu Garon, G | Tampa Bay |
| Jakub Voracek, RW | Philadelphia |
| Craig Rivet, D | Free Agent |
| Ethan Moreau, LW | Free Agent |
| Anton Stralman, D | Free Agent |
| Chris Clark, LW | Free Agent |
Arrivals
| PLAYER | FROM |
| Jeff Carter, C | Philadelphia |
| Vinny Prospal, LW | New York R |
| Radek Martinek, D | New York I |
| Aaron Johnson, D | Nashville |
| Curtis Sanford, G | Montreal |
| James Wisniewski, D | Montreal |
| Cody Bass, C | Ottawa |
Wisniewski is probably the key signing, even over Carter. It gives the Jackets a legitimate top 2 defenceman (while some Habs fans might disagree). Based on what the jackets had, this is a huge upgrade. The only problem is they have no depth at all. Prospal will fit nicely into Huselius' spot until he returns from a torn pectoral muscle tear. Martinek was a key feature on Long Island, and will get a chance to play top 4 minutes with Columbus.
Blue Jackets Forwards
| Rick Nash | Jeff Carter | Kristian Huselius* |
| Vinny Prospal | Antoine Vermette | R.J. Umberger |
| Matt Calvert | Derick Brassard | Jared Boll |
| Derek Dorsett | Ryan Johansen | Samuel Pahlsson |
| Derek MacKenize | Cody Bass |
*Huselius is out indefinitely (IR)
Blue Jackets Defensemen
| James Wisniewski | Fedor Tyutin |
| Grant Clitsome | Marc Methot |
| Kris Russell | Radek Martinek |
| John Moore | Aaron Johnson |
Blue Jackets Goaltenders
| Steve Mason |
| Curtis Sanford |
| Mark Dekanich |
New Acquisition
Expect Steve Mason to crank out more starts, which might be what he needs. After winning the Calder a few years ago, Mason hasn't really been the same. He split time with Garon, but with Garon gone to Tampa and the likely backup (Sanford or Dekanich) likely to be only a once every 6-7 starts type goalie. In all likelihood, the Blue Jackets will need another year of rebuilding to get back to the playoffs. Carter and Wisniewski are a nice step, but it won't be enough. They are good enough to beat the Blues in the Central, but won't have enough to beat out Detroit, Chicago or Nashville.
Kyle Busch
