Ohio Jones
Game on...
CD - Columbus
With Columbus climbing in the Western Conference standings, and young power forward Steve Bernier out for weeks with a separated shoulder, Blue Jackets GM Doug Emerson made a move to bring in some help.
Coming over from the Montreal Canadiens is veteran forward Andrew Brunette. Brunette, who can play either wing, has been a disappointment this season for the Habs, but looks like a good fit for the Jackets' second line with Mark Bell and Mike York.
Going to the Habs are Michael Leighton, Alexei Semenov, prospect Jonas Nordqvist and an undisclosed amount of cash. Brunette, who is earning under $1 million this season, will qualify for UFA status this summer.
This move should help boost the Jackets' secondary scoring; Columbus is in the bottom third of the league in goals for, and is dead last in scoring among teams above .500. Their sterling defensive play has powered their rise in the standings, and as long as Brunette doesn't upset their chemistry, his addition should provide the Jackets with a more balanced attack.
The trade continues the pattern Emerson has established over the better part of the last two seasons of moving out prospects and young players for veteran help, but the well is running dry - the Jackets have few legitimate prospects left in the system. With only two selections in this summer's entry draft, Emerson will be hard-pressed to rebuild the teams' depth, so it looks like the Jackets are committed to challenging for the Cup again this year. Enjoy it while you can, fans, because the future in Columbus is starting to look mighty bleak.
Ddespite this, or perhaps because of it, rumours are swirling that Columbus will shortly be making an additional move, as the HFNHL appears to be going through the trade deadline rush several weeks early. Just this morning a major deal was announced between Boston and Dallas that saw top defenceman Bryan McCabe join the Stars. Dallas is just one of the teams in the Western Conference that appear to be positioning themselves for the playoffs, and for the Jackets - already in the toughest division in the league - that can only mean a tougher road to the post-season.
Milo Minderbinder
Columbus Discoverer
With Columbus climbing in the Western Conference standings, and young power forward Steve Bernier out for weeks with a separated shoulder, Blue Jackets GM Doug Emerson made a move to bring in some help.
Coming over from the Montreal Canadiens is veteran forward Andrew Brunette. Brunette, who can play either wing, has been a disappointment this season for the Habs, but looks like a good fit for the Jackets' second line with Mark Bell and Mike York.
Going to the Habs are Michael Leighton, Alexei Semenov, prospect Jonas Nordqvist and an undisclosed amount of cash. Brunette, who is earning under $1 million this season, will qualify for UFA status this summer.
This move should help boost the Jackets' secondary scoring; Columbus is in the bottom third of the league in goals for, and is dead last in scoring among teams above .500. Their sterling defensive play has powered their rise in the standings, and as long as Brunette doesn't upset their chemistry, his addition should provide the Jackets with a more balanced attack.
The trade continues the pattern Emerson has established over the better part of the last two seasons of moving out prospects and young players for veteran help, but the well is running dry - the Jackets have few legitimate prospects left in the system. With only two selections in this summer's entry draft, Emerson will be hard-pressed to rebuild the teams' depth, so it looks like the Jackets are committed to challenging for the Cup again this year. Enjoy it while you can, fans, because the future in Columbus is starting to look mighty bleak.
Ddespite this, or perhaps because of it, rumours are swirling that Columbus will shortly be making an additional move, as the HFNHL appears to be going through the trade deadline rush several weeks early. Just this morning a major deal was announced between Boston and Dallas that saw top defenceman Bryan McCabe join the Stars. Dallas is just one of the teams in the Western Conference that appear to be positioning themselves for the playoffs, and for the Jackets - already in the toughest division in the league - that can only mean a tougher road to the post-season.
Milo Minderbinder
Columbus Discoverer
