The Cannon - All Posts

Columbus Signs Undrafted Free Agent Ilari Melart

2013-05-24T15:18:16Z

I was wondering when we'd see some Finnish league players join the organization.

When Jarmo Kekalainen was hired as General Manager of the Jackets, you knew there was a good chance that he'd have some players in mind who would be good fits in North America. Apparently, Ilari Melart was one of them, inking a one-year deal with Columbus.

Per the press release from the Jackets, Melart is a defenseman who's been with HIFK for the past several seasons. His numbers indicate he's a defensive defenseman, putting up 12-16-28 in 146 career games. The most eye-popping stat however, is the 415 penalty minutes he's put up over that span.

From Matias Strozyk of Elite Prospects:

A defensive player who likes to play physically. Plays a simple game in the defensive zone and isn't very offensive. Has a decent shot. Needs to improve his speed and skating.

He seems like a hard-nosed player who'll add to the defensive depth of the organization. He'll have a chance to win a spot on the Columbus blueline, but is more likely ticketed for Springfield.

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #4: Aleksandr Barkov

2013-05-24T13:00:06Z

Alexsandr Barkov

Position: Centre
Team: Tappara (SM-Liiga)
Age: 17
Date of Birth: September 2, 1995
Place of Birth: Tampere, Finland
Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 205 lb.
Shoots: Left

Regular Season Stats

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
53	21	27	48	8	18

Playoff Stats

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
5	0	5	5	2	3

If Aleksandr Barkov wasn't European (and let's be honest, if he wasn't of Russian Heritage), you'd be hearing about him in the same excited tones that analysts have been using to discuss Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon, or Jonathan Drouin.

The top rated European skater by NHL central scouting, Barkov has been a phenom his entire hockey carreer, first playing in the SM-Liiga at the age of 16, where he was the youngest player to ever score a point. (In fact, he'd put up 7 goals and 9 assists in 32 games - not bad for someone who had his first pro season before he could legally drive a car.) In his World Juniors debut a few months later, Barkov was the second youngest player in IIHF history to score a goal when he lit the lamp against Slovakia in the quarter finals.

This season, he was just shy of a point a game pace for Tappara, and returned to the WJCs where he contributed three goals and four helpers during the Finns seven game campaign. (Oh, and keep in mind that these were the Under-20 WJCs, not the Under-18s.)

He's already filling out impressively, he's fast, he's skilled, and he's shown that he can light the lamp against older, bigger, and tougher opponents. He has "future superstar" written all over him, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Scouting Reports

A very calm center who uses his vision well, Barkov has an excellent offensive game and good size. His very good passing and puckhandling combined with great hands and hockey sense make him a big offensive threat. He plays with high confidence and never seems to be under pressure. Barkov is a creative with a very solid overall package and the skill set to compensate for his below-average skating, making him one of the top prospects for the 2013 NHL Draft.

-Matias Strozyk, EliteProspects.com

He is already a good-sized center man at 6'2" 205 lbs. as he is actually two weeks shy of being eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft as late '95 birthday. He was the youngest player out on the ice at the Herb Brooks Arena this summer. You could see he was a bit younger by his approach to the game being a tad apprehensive, although he also displayed at times his deceptive moves and skill sets. He is an intelligent player at 16-years old, shows poise with the puck, and good offensive instincts. Overall, he is a valuable all-around player who will return to Finland's WJC roster for a second go-a-round and garner considerable NHL attention this season.
-Russ Bitely, USA Hockey, MyNHLDraft.com

Why He'd Be A Good Fit In Columbus:

Barkov is a phenomenal scoring talent who shows signs of being a decently responsible defensive player as well. While Columbus does have guys like Ryan Johansen, Brandon Dubinsky, and Artem Anisimov up front, it's hard to say if they really have a "WOW" talent like Barkov in the system. (Boone Jenner is a lot of things, but I don't see him or Michael Chaput becoming NHL point-per-game players. Barkov just might.) Even better, he brings the kind of size that would work well alongside guys like Gaborik, Foligno, or even Johansen.

The Roster Viking got an eyeful of Barkov while he was running Jokerit for the last two years, and I wouldn't be shocked at all if he liked what he saw. If Columbus decided to make a move into the top five, don't be surprised if Barkov is the reason.

Barkov In Action:

(Yeah, I know, the music...oye.)

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #3: Jonathan Drouin

2013-05-23T13:00:11Z

Jonathan Drouin

Position: Left Wing
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Age: 18
Date of Birth: March 27, 1995
Place of Birth: Ste-Agathe, Quebec
Ht: 5'-10" Wt: 186lbs
Shoots: Left

2012-2013 Regular Season Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
49	41	64	105	+48	32

2012-2013 Playoff Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
17	12	23	35	+22	14

As with Nathan MacKinnon, I was able to see a lot of Drouin this season.

It's not a stretch to say that Drouin has the best hands in the league this year. His stickhandling abilities leave you on the edge of your seat, but his best asset, by far, is his vision on the ice. He can find teammates anywhere. At times this season even highly-skilled linemates MacKinnon and Martin Frk were surprised to have the puck on their sticks after a slick pass from Drouin.

He's a playmaking winger first and foremost, and he's most lethal when he's paired with a shooter on his line. He's not a physical player, but he doesn't stay on the perimeter either. He uses his elusiveness to avoid checks, setting up teammates and deking defenders out of their shorts.

He put up huge offensive totals this past season, finishing second in league scoring during the regular season (in 19 fewer games than scoring leader Ben Duffy of the PEI Rocket) but led the QMJHL playoffs in scoring. For his efforts he earned both Regular Season and Playoff MVP Awards.

In addition to dominating the offensive charts in the QMJHL, Drouin was an important member of Team Canada at the 2013 World Junior Championship. This tournament typically features mostly 19 year-old players, but Drouin was a top-line fixture at just 17 years old.

The team that drafts Drouin will get a slightly undersized offensive dynamo with stellar playmaking ability. Sounds a lot like Patrick Kane in his draft year to me.

Scouting Reports:

An agile forward, Drouin is very creative and a good skater. He is an extremely offensive player with fantastic hands and excellent on-ice-vision. Drouin has a good shot but is best used as a playmaker and is very dangerous on powerplay. Drouin is not a large player or an explosive skater, but he is very agile and able to play his way out of tight spots thanks to his hockey sense.

- Matias Strozyk, Elite Prospects

Drouin is special offensive talent, with upside through the roof—a prototypical elite, puck possession forward. Drouin has unique puck skills, with the ability to show consistent offensive creativity. He naturally generated highlight reel scoring chances on a regular basis for the Mooseheads, and his ability to make plays in tight spaces is second to none. What separates Drouin, though, are his hands, and his tremendous ability to think the game. He has elite vision and offensive hockey sense, which allow him to dictate the offense. If defenders try to man him up one-on-one, he will find a way to lose the check. If they double him, he can make incredible passes to set up scoring chances. Although he possesses just good top-gear speed, he is a top-notch skater with a high level of shiftiness to his game. His agility and his puck skills make him a nightmare to check in open ice. That said, Drouin can be a liability when the game turns physical. He is a tad undersized, and his strength level needs to be improved in order to be effective in pro-level board battles. Drouin was given top line duties at the recent World Juniors, which is a rare feat for a Canadian 17-year-old, especially given the availability of talent at that tournament due to the lockout.

- Hockey Prospectus

While Drouin may be slightly overshadowed by linemate and highly regarded center Nathan MacKinnon in Halifax this season, some scouts wouldn't be surprised if he earned a roster spot on an NHL team next fall.

"If he went to training camp in September and made a team out of training camp, I don't think anyone would be surprised," NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr told NHL.com.

Drouin's remarkable stick skills and soft hands have been the talk of many this season. He's certainly in the running to hear his name among the top-five picks at this year's draft on June 30 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

- NHL.com

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

With these profiles we're still ahead of the range of players expected to be available when Columbus picks at 14th overall, but given the trio of first round picks in the Jackets' pocket, anything is possible, including a trade-up scenario.

The Jackets have a well-documented lack of offensive punch, and Drouin would remedy that overnight. Given the uncertainty surrounding R.J. Umberger, Vinny Prospal's advancing age and a lack of high-end wingers in the prospect pool, adding a talented winger to the organization who would fit a top-six role would be welcome.

From an entertainment point of view, Drouin would be a fan favorite in Columbus. His stickhandling alone is jaw-dropping. Fans will be talking about the moves he puts on defenders for days after the game concludes.

Drouin in Action:

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #2: Seth Jones

2013-05-22T13:35:01Z

Seth Jones

Position: Defense
Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Age: 18
Date of Birth: October 3, 1994
Place of Birth: Plano, Texas
Ht: 6'4" Wt: 206lbs
Shoots: Right

2012-2013 Regular Season Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
61	14	42	56	+46	33

2012-2013 Playoff Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
21	5	10	15	+15	4

Seth Jones is a rare prospect. He is the son of a former NBA basketball player, and as such was blessed with an insanely large frame. But, on top of that, he's also athletic as hell, thanks in part to the smartness of his father. Jones started playing hockey while his father was playing for the Denver Nuggets, and through that connection his father was able to chat up Joe Sakic about how best to get his son improved with hockey. Not a bad start, eh? Jones followed that up with figure skating lessons, and that helped form the foundation for his hockey abilities.

In short, Jones is huge, but he skates like a man much smaller.

Overall, Jones combines the ability to move the puck, the ability to skate very well for a large defenseman, and the size and smarts to play shut-down defense. He also has a very dangerous shot from the point. He is one of the most complete defensemen to come into the draft in a long time. If he continues to develop, he can be a guy who plays top-pairing minutes, leads the PK, quarterbacks the PP, and wears a letter on his sweater in time.

Central Scouting his him listed as the #1 North American skater in their final rankings.

Scouting Reports:

A defenseman with an excellent frame. Jones' athleticism allows him to be a very good skater for a player of his size. He has excellent mobility and is solid both offensively and defensively. Jones gives a smart first pass and is also capable of utilizing his skating ability to bring the puck up himself. He has good hockey sense and is an assett on the powerplay thanks to his mobility, puck-handling and a very dangerous slapshot.

Matias Strozyk, Elite Prospects

If Seth Jones has a weakness in his game, I do not see it... Jones is a high-end (arguably an elite) skater, who moves at a unique and unusual level for such a large man. With his very large wingspan and mobility, Jones closes gaps with high efficiency, and he can be difficult to get around. His best trait is his clearly elite hockey sense. Jones was making pro-level reads when he was 16, showing he was, and still is, advanced way beyond his years. He makes a multitude of good defensive plays with positioning, stick work and anticipation. He seems to always to be a step ahead of everyone else. This is evident in his offensive ability as well. He knows when to pinch, and he can exhibit high levels of offensive skill, creativity and vision. Jones has a cannon from the point, which can make him a very dangerous player on the power play. He is a big man with a ton of weapons. Finally, his size is a tremendous asset. He stands around 6'4'', and while he isn't a mean player, he takes his checks with the body. He projects as a top-end physical player.

- Hockey Prospectus

Jones is an extremely rare blend of size, mobility, skill and raw athletic ability. He already has an NHL frame, standing 6’4 205 lbs, and despite his size, has exceptional mobility and a very smooth skating stride. He uses this high-end skating ability to carry the puck out of his own end and through the neutral zone with relative ease. When he isn’t given room to skate, Seth’s superb vision allows him to identify the appropriate outlet and make a crisp first pass out of the zone to start the play up ice. His calm demeanour and high hockey IQ means he seldom makes mistakes and turnovers in his own end are rare.

On the power play, Jones is capable of playing a quarterback role, but appears more comfortable as a shooter. He possesses an extremely heavy slapshot that he is not afraid to let go from anywhere in the offensive zone. His mobility allows him to fake, move laterally and create lanes to get his shot through which makes a very dangerous weapon at the point on the man advantage.

One of the most unique skill sets Jones possesses are his silky smooth hands; a very rare quality for a defensemen his size. He has the ability to stick handle his way out of trouble in small spaces and has excellent control of the puck at top speed. This was on full display during a highlight reel end-to-end goal scored back on Halloween against Everett.

- Anton Tibaldi, Jr. Hockey Recruit

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

To be honest, Jones would be a good fit just about anywhere. Jones' ceiling is a Shea Weber or Chris Pronger kind of ceiling, and while Columbus currently is strong throughout the system on defense, a player like Jones does not come along very often. Adding Jones would help to solidify the blue line for a decade, and would allow the Blue Jackets to trade some other defensive assets for help elsewhere.

Jones can play in all three facets of the game, can move well, and is a good character guy. He would help the struggling Power Play, would add to an already-strong PK unit, and would add to a corps of defensive skaters who show some two-way ability. And, frankly, the thought of Jones and Ryan Murray together as a potential top-pairing for the next decade? Wow.

That said, Jones might go #1 overall. If he doesn't, he won't escape the top three picks. So, the Jackets would have to package assets just to get him.

Jones in Action:

It's not game action, but this is an interesting look at Jones' move to the NHL as the son of a pro basketball player, through the lens of race.

2013 Draft Prospect Profiles

2013-05-22T12:31:57Z

The 2013 edition of our Draft Prospect Profiles begins here!

Nathan MacKinnon

Position: Center
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Age: 17
Date of Birth: September 1st, 1995
Place of Birth: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ht: 6'0" Wt: 182lbs
Shoots: Right

2012-2013 Regular Season Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
44	32	43	75	+40	45

2012-2013 Playoff Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
17	11	22	33	+17	12

As a Mooseheads season ticket holder, I've had the pleasure of watching "Nate" play live, on a regular basis. He's a multi-tool player bringing offense, defensive responsibility, faceoff prowess and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win.

He's the offensive leader and star of the Halifax Mooseheads, the champions of the QMJHL. With the exception of games missed due to participating in the 2013 World Juniors, and a late-season injury, MacKinnon has been a consistent offensive threat for the Moose, while playing a strong two-way game.

For a vast majority of the season, he played on a line with fellow 2013 draft-eligible Jonathan Drouin and Detroit prospect Martin Frk. (No vowels, please) The trio were simply dominant all season, but in situations where they were not together, such as when MacKinnon was double-shifted on the fourth line, Nate was still an impactful offensive force. He has the ability to create offense off the rush, using his excellent speed to convert turnovers into goals. He has a hard and accurate wrister, and his hands aren't bad either. Drouin is the guy with the magic mitts on the Mooseheads, but MacKinnon is the more complete player.

As of this writing, the Mooseheads are participating in the 2013 Memorial Cup, a four-team tournament featuring the winners of the QMJHL, OHL, WHL, and a rotating CHL host team. This year the Saskatoon Blades have host duties, with the Mooseheads representing the Q, the London Knights (with CBJ prospect Josh Anderson) representing the OHL, and the Seth Jones-led Portland Winterhawks there as WHL champs. In their tournament opener, the Mooseheads defeated Jones and the Winterhawks 7-4 thanks to a hat-trick by MacKinnon.

MacKinnon is going to give the NHL team that drafts him a dependable offensive player, who plays a responsible two-way game. He'll go through, rather than around defenders to get to the goal, and once there he's a sure bet to tickle the twine.

Scouting Reports:

A superstar in the making since an early age, MacKinnon provides a very complete combination of speed and skill. He is an amazing skater with fantastic puckhandling. MacKinnon has the ability to make quick plays and score flashy goals, but isn't shy about battling for the puck in front of the net either. He is surprisingly physical and owns a great shot to go along with quick hands.

- Matias Strozyk, Elite Prospects

MacKinnon is a simply fantastic prospect who has all the tools a GM would want in a high draft choice. His body and skills are advanced, relative to the fact he is a tad over two weeks away from being bumped to the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. MacKinnon is an elite skater, and possibly a generational one, easily the best in this draft class. He has an unbelievable first few steps, and he generates a ridiculous amount of power from his legs. When he gets in full flight, it is very hard to stop him (in fact, I once saw an opposing QMJHL player try to tackle him). One NHL source told me that MacKinnon will draw a lot of penalties because of his agility and speed. His puck skills are high end, as well as his offensive vision. MacKinnon is not simply a north-south kind of player; he has a ton of offensive creativity, including the ability to dangle defensemen laterally, or make quick, precise feeds. MacKinnon measures at six feet tall, 182 pounds, but has an unusual amount of power to his game. An NHL executive told me that his level of talent is matched by his work ethic. MacKinnon will power through checks, grind out board battles, and land big hits. He projects as a forward with defensive value. He generates a lot of shots, and he has quality finishing ability. In short, there are almost no weaknesses in MacKinnon's game, and he possesses a lot of skills that are in the upper tier. He projects as an elite NHL forward.

- Hockey Prospectus

He'll be regarded as the top offensive prospect all season long and for good reason. The 6-foot, 182-pound center offers a dynamic blend of speed and skill that are unrivaled among draft-eligible players, and he plays in every game situation.

- NHL.com

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

Depth and talent at center has always been an issue for the Jackets, but things are certainly looking brighter with Ryan Johansen, Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner in the organization. A talent like MacKinnon would give Columbus a highly-skilled pivot who is the total package- offense, physicality when required, faceoff ability and hockey smarts.

Dubi won't be setting scoring records. You can say the same for Boone- these guys are defensive types who can chip in with occasional offense. Arty showed flashes of an offensive breakout this past season, but was slowed by injury. The jury is still out on Johansen, but the talent is there. Adding a player of MacKinnon's ilk would help take the pressure off of Johansen and Anisimov down the road, and may even render Johansen tradeable.

Of course the Jackets don't pick until 14th overall, and MacKinnon will be long gone by then. That said, they do have three first-round picks in their back pocket, and if they feel moving up to grab him is worth the price, they can package their picks and move up to the top-three. I think it's fair to say that Seth Jones to Colorado first overall is a done-deal, so if Florida (picking second) or Tampa Bay (picking third) are willing to deal, the Jackets may pull it off. Remember the team the Jackets swapped picks with to get Rick Nash in 2002?

Yep, the Panthers. Doesn't lightning strike twice?

MacKinnon in Action:

It's not game action, but John Moore (local guy who does fantastic work covering the Mooseheads and provides radio play-by-play) rides with MacKinnon and Drouin on the way to practice- check out Parts 1 and 2 below:

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #1: Nathan MacKinnon

2013-05-19T04:07:07Z

Nathan MacKinnon

Position: Center
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Age: 17
Date of Birth: September 1st, 1995
Place of Birth: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ht: 6'0" Wt: 182lbs
Shoots: Right

2012-2013 Regular Season Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
44	32	43	75	+40	45

2012-2013 Playoff Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
17	11	22	33	+17	12

Scouting Reports:

A superstar in the making since an early age, MacKinnon provides a very complete combination of speed and skill. He is an amazing skater with fantastic puckhandling. MacKinnon has the ability to make quick plays and score flashy goals, but isn't shy about battling for the puck in front of the net either. He is surprisingly physical and owns a great shot to go along with quick hands.

- Matias Strozyk, Elite Prospects

MacKinnon is a simply fantastic prospect who has all the tools a GM would want in a high draft choice. His body and skills are advanced, relative to the fact he is a tad over two weeks away from being bumped to the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. MacKinnon is an elite skater, and possibly a generational one, easily the best in this draft class. He has an unbelievable first few steps, and he generates a ridiculous amount of power from his legs. When he gets in full flight, it is very hard to stop him (in fact, I once saw an opposing QMJHL player try to tackle him). One NHL source told me that MacKinnon will draw a lot of penalties because of his agility and speed. His puck skills are high end, as well as his offensive vision. MacKinnon is not simply a north-south kind of player; he has a ton of offensive creativity, including the ability to dangle defensemen laterally, or make quick, precise feeds. MacKinnon measures at six feet tall, 182 pounds, but has an unusual amount of power to his game. An NHL executive told me that his level of talent is matched by his work ethic. MacKinnon will power through checks, grind out board battles, and land big hits. He projects as a forward with defensive value. He generates a lot of shots, and he has quality finishing ability. In short, there are almost no weaknesses in MacKinnon's game, and he possesses a lot of skills that are in the upper tier. He projects as an elite NHL forward.

- Hockey Prospectus

He'll be regarded as the top offensive prospect all season long and for good reason. The 6-foot, 182-pound center offers a dynamic blend of speed and skill that are unrivaled among draft-eligible players, and he plays in every game situation.

- NHL.com

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

Yep, the Panthers. Doesn't lightning strike twice?

MacKinnon in Action:

2013 NHL Offseason: Is Ryan Johansen Going To Be A Problem?

2013-05-18T16:00:21Z

Even as Blue Jackets fans cheer for Sergei Bobrovsky's campaign to rule the NHL 14 cover vote, and we commiserate with Lou, Katy, and the Springfield fan community about their season coming to an end, we have to think about the future.

With a strong core established, and a number of young players stepping into larger roles, much is expected of guys like Cam Atkinson, Dalton Prout, Matt Calvert, and Ryan Johansen.

Of that group, both Prout and Johansen were probably the most impressive at the end of last season. Johansen scored some key goals in the final stretch, and seemed to be blossoming into a top two-way player before our eyes, visibly frustrating guys like Joe Thornton and Gabriel Landeskog when matched against them defensively. Prout stepped into the shutdown role, and was one of the best even strength performers the club had down the stretch, allowing just one goal in five on five play over the final ten games of the regular season.

Not surprisingly, since both were eligible to return to Springfield, they were sent to Massachusetts at the end of the NHL season with the expectation of being impact players in the Falcons' postseason run.

I'll let Lou discuss the end of the Falcons' postseason against Syracuse. He was there, I wasn't, and he's more than earned the right to break down what worked, and what didn't, as we consider this season.

But the path that Johansen and Prout took after reaching the Falcons is concerning.

Remembering that both missed the first game of the playoffs due to travel, let's look at their stat lines:

	GP	G	A	+/-	SOG	PIM
Johansen	5	0	1	-8	7	2
Prout	6	0	1	0	6	14

Why does Johansen have one less game?

Because he was scratched in the final playoff matchup against Syracuse.

Now, admittedly, the team was down 3-0 and showed every sign of getting plowed by the club that is for all intents and purposes the reigning Calder Cup champs, and has been a juggernaut in the A for the past three seasons.

But if you have a player who is supposed to be a top performer in a must-win game, wouldn't you want him on board?

It's clear that Johansen was underperforming defensively, and this isn't the first time he seemed to hit the AHL and go flat. He wasn't exactly a word beater to start the season in Springfield, and he had several multi-game slumps in November and December.

The timing, however, is concerning. After a relatively clean sheet in his first two appearances (no points, even +/-, 1 shot on goal in each), Johasen was -3 with one assist, -2, and -3. Those numbers don't make his scratch too surprising, but the timing of it all, on the surface, looks suspect.

Unless we find out that Johansen was nursing an injury (which, I admit, is certainly possible), this looks like a player who decided he wasn't really happy, and started to get lazy. He stopped playing smart, and his team got burned as a result.

That is, simply, the exact opposite of the attitude the team is working to foster in Columbus. We want to see the club playing 100%, lights out, fully committed hockey. The "Country Club" is closed, and I don't think the fans or the front office will tolerate it being re-opened.

If this was a combination of disappointment, injury, and bad timing...well, it happens. But you're expected to be a pro, and you're expected to help your team to win no matter where you end up playing.

We saw the Johan take some big strides in his game, and quite a bit of physical growth. Now we need to see him take the next step personally and professionally, and it starts with cleaning up that attitude.

You're a man now, Ryan. The club needs you to step up no matter where you're asked to contribute, and the fans want to see you take things to the next level.

Right now, I don't see it happening.

I would like nothing better than for you to show up in camp this fall and prove me wrong.

2013 NHL Playoffs: The Game 7 Debate

2013-05-13T18:00:08Z

For fans in Columbus, the first round has been bittersweet.

Does anyone else think the Jackets would have produced a more exciting series against the Blackhawks than the Wild did?

How many fans were pulling for the Islanders until their efforts came up just short?

How many rooted for Marc Methot as the Senators dropped Montreal like a bad habit?

How many grumbled when the Ducks and Blues failed to take care of the Red Wings and Kings?

How many, now, are watching the Capitals / Rangers game tonight, and not sure quite who to root for?

On the one hand, we've got the Rangers' first round pick, and it'd be nice to see that one locked in - especially since the Kings might well go deep again, putting Columbus' third first rounder late in the round. It'd be good to have another mid-round pick to piay with, especially if the Roster Viking finds an opportunity to package it for an earlier selection.

On the other, you look at the former Jackets on the Rangers, and you want to see them do well. Even though a lot of fans still have conflicting thoughts on Rick Nash, pretty much everyone I've talked to is thrilled to see Derick Brassard blossom under the big lights, and impressed with the way John Moore has stepped up.

Seeing Derek Dorsett return and provide an immediate heart and soul to the Rangers was another moment of both pride and regret - if his collar bone hadn't been broken, who knows what might have happened over this season?

Do you root for the draft pick, or do you root for the guys we've been cheering for over the last several years?

Head vs. Heart is always a hard choice. Personally, I think I've settled into the "head", but I can't blame a single person who decides they'd like to see some of their favorite players win a round, even if they're no longer wearing Union Blue.

Poll

The Cannon - All Posts

Columbus Signs Undrafted Free Agent Ilari Melart

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #4: Aleksandr Barkov

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #3: Jonathan Drouin

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #2: Seth Jones

2013 Draft Prospect Profiles

2013 Draft Prospect Profile #1: Nathan MacKinnon

2013 NHL Offseason: Is Ryan Johansen Going To Be A Problem?

2013 NHL Playoffs: The Game 7 Debate

Who are you rooting for tonight?