| Michael Sonday. 17th June, 2008 - 6:40 pm
 It has been seven long and painful seasons that Blue Jackets' fans have been waiting for their first playoff game. Loaded with salary cap space and high draft picks, the Blue Jackets could make push at being a contender this summer and give their deserving fans a taste of postseason hockey next spring.
The lack of success since coming into the league in 2000-01 has put the Columbus franchise into a win now mode. The years of building for the future are over as fans seem to be getting tired of the empty promises made from management. The team’s failure on the ice has led to a steady decline in attendance and patience that is running on empty.
With $16 to $20 million of cap space to play with this summer, the Blue Jackets are ready to make a major splash in the free agent pool.
The biggest priority for GM Scott Howson this summer will be finding a free agent center to play with team captain Rick Nash. Finding a counterpart for their young superstar maybe easier said than done as there is not an abundance of quality free agent centers available this summer.
Daymond Langkow would be a welcomed addition to play with Nash, but demand will be high for the free agent center and playing for a proven contender will be a top priority for the 31 year old Langkow.
Another option for GM Howson is to trade one of their two first round picks for a center. The Blue Jackets have the 6th and 19th picks in the first round, so trading one of the picks for a number one center will not hinder the future development of the team.
Patrick Marleau could be on the Blue Jackets' radar. Trading a pick for Marleau makes sense as the Sharks may be looking to dump his $6.3 million salary to free up cap space to re-sign free agent defenseman Brian Campbell.
If the Blue Jackets decide to keep their sixth overall selection, they should be able to land one of the four premier defensemen in the draft. Drew Doughty and Zach Bogosian should be selected by the time the sixth pick rolls around, leaving the Blue Jackets with Luke Schenn or Alex Pietrangelo. Although all four of these defensemen are talented, blue chip prospects, GM Howson can not count on any of the group making a major impact this upcoming season.
GM Howson will have much more on his plate than acquiring a top line center. Howson must add two veteran defensemen and a wing via free agency or trades, prepare for the draft, and continue to negotiate a contract with unrestricted free agent Ron Hainsey.
The Blue Jackets have the pieces in place to create a winner. Goalie Pascal Leclaire, winger Nikolai Zherdev, and Nash are rising stars who are capable of carrying the team, but GM Howson must surround these players with a better supporting cast.
If GM Howson can address his team's needs, the Blue Jackets will make their first post season appearance, ending their streak as the only team in the NHL which has yet to participate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. |
