Ohio Jones
Game on...
The Blue Jackets entered July 1st with question marks on the fourth line after allowing veteran forwards Manny Malhotra and Dominic Moore to walk.
With little financial wiggle room thanks to picking up Eric Staal's max salary, Columbus went bargain hunting, reportedly signing Ryan Johnson and Marty Reasoner to deals under $1 million each.
Now the Jackets have discovered that due to a loophole in the league's contract rules, Johnson and Reasoner will be unavailable this season.
While this news reflects poorly on a veteran GM who should be on top of these situations, it does create an opportunity for some of the promising young forwards in the Jackets' system to perhaps earn a spot in the starting lineup this fall.
Or winter. You know, whenever we see hockey again.
Heading into training camp, it looks as though FA signee Ryan Potulny will step in to pivot the fourth line, but his wingers are up for debate. Proven NHLers Chris Thorburn and Brandon Yip would appear to have a leg up based on their experience, but youngsters like Blake Geoffrion, Patrice Cormier and Trevor Smith will all be working to earn their shot. Geoffrion has shown decent hands and skating in brief auditions to date, and might have the best chance of unseating a vet.
The club will also be trying out different line combinations to take advantage of new Jackets Staal, Teddy Purcell and Anton Volchenkov.
In the always challenging Central Division, Columbus will need every player to compete right out of the gate if they hope to better last season's strong showing.
With little financial wiggle room thanks to picking up Eric Staal's max salary, Columbus went bargain hunting, reportedly signing Ryan Johnson and Marty Reasoner to deals under $1 million each.
Now the Jackets have discovered that due to a loophole in the league's contract rules, Johnson and Reasoner will be unavailable this season.
While this news reflects poorly on a veteran GM who should be on top of these situations, it does create an opportunity for some of the promising young forwards in the Jackets' system to perhaps earn a spot in the starting lineup this fall.
Or winter. You know, whenever we see hockey again.
Heading into training camp, it looks as though FA signee Ryan Potulny will step in to pivot the fourth line, but his wingers are up for debate. Proven NHLers Chris Thorburn and Brandon Yip would appear to have a leg up based on their experience, but youngsters like Blake Geoffrion, Patrice Cormier and Trevor Smith will all be working to earn their shot. Geoffrion has shown decent hands and skating in brief auditions to date, and might have the best chance of unseating a vet.
The club will also be trying out different line combinations to take advantage of new Jackets Staal, Teddy Purcell and Anton Volchenkov.
In the always challenging Central Division, Columbus will need every player to compete right out of the gate if they hope to better last season's strong showing.
