SB Nation - Dan LaCosta

Hockey's Future's take on the Jackets

Mike MacLean — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:18:43 -0000

John Moore (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Hockey's Future, one of the best sources for prospect news and coverage (not to mention their message board, which is easily the best NHL message board out there) has compiled their top-10 organizational rankings for prospects. The Jackets came in fourth. Here's what they had to say:

Strengths: Russian Nikita Filatov is a contender for the Calder Trophy this year and is considered one of the most offensively gifted players to be stepping into the NHL. Center Derick Brassard hopes his injury problems are behind him so that he can continue turning heads. A strong group of collegiate blueliners await their turn – Cody Goloubef in Wisconsin, Ohio State’s Will Weber and Notre Dame’s Teddy Ruth among them. John Moore chose the OHL instead of Colorado College and is off to a good start. Matt Calvert will be a key leader for the Brandon Wheat Kings as the host club for the 2010 Memorial Cup.

Weaknesses: The Blue Jackets will need to get a injection of youth into the system soon though, since many of their top prospects are nearing graduation. They are without a top prospect at the right wing position. Depth at center may also be a concern.

You can find the full article HERE

Interesting that they still consider Brassard a prospect by their standards. Had he not missed so many games to injury last season, he would likely have been graduated in HF terms. They make a mistake regarding Will Weber though- he does play college hockey in Ohio, but for Miami University, not Ohio State. Right wing, as they say, needs help. Here are a couple of players I like at the right wing position who could be a first round pick for the Jackets in June- Brett Connolly (Prince George Cougars, WHL); Stanislav Galiev (Indiana Ice, USHL); and Guillaume Asselin (Montreal Juniors, QMJHL).

Hockey's Future also took an in-depth look at the Jackets from a prospect perspective, here's a snippet:

There is no doubt that the Columbus Blue Jackets have a talent-laden prospect pool. They have two top prospects at forward in Derick Brassard and Nikita Filatov, a high-potential defenseman in John Moore, and two older, but solid goaltending prospects in Dan LaCosta and Kevin Lalande. But beyond them there is good depth as well.

The Blue Jackets are fairly deep at every position, but are without a top prospect at the right wing position. Depth at center may also be a concern.

It's a great article, giving some insight on some of the prospects in the Jackets stable. You can find the full article HERE

Preseason recap: Penguins beat Blue Jackets 5-4 in comeback win

FrankD — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:11:22 -0000

Just a few notes to follow up Pittsburgh's first preseason game of the season.

Mathieu Garon started in net for Columbus while Marc-Andre Fleury got the nod for Pittsburgh.
As is the case with most pre-season hockey, the game saw its first fight before the first goal. Pittsburgh's Engelland with the knockdown over Dough Lynch.
Shortly after fight two breaks out - Eric Godard vs. Tom Sestito, just as Hooks called it. Godard gets the knockdown.
Columbus started putting some heavy pressure on Fleury, beating him for three straight. Jakub Voracek tipped in the first one, while Maksim Mayorov knocked in the next two to make it 3-0 Columbus.
After the second period both team switched out goalies. Brad Thiessen in for Pittsburgh, Dan LaCosta in for Columbus.
Lot's of great chemistry out there between Eric Tangradi and Sidney Crosby, who connected for Pittsburgh's first goal of the game, beating Columbus's LaCosta. That same connection missed earlier on when Sid dished it to ET but he hit the post. Tangradi also laid out Jared Boll and drew an interference call to put the Pens on the PP.
Sid fired back again for his second of the night to make it 3-2, followed up by a Chris Connor goal to tie it up at three.
With less than three minutes left Columbus takes the lead on a goal from Alex Picard, who hacked away at a rebound in front of Thiessen.
Before the announcer could even call the goal, Chris Kunitz answers back and ties it at four. He'd later pick up the game-winner in overtime, capping off the night for Pittsburgh in typical comeback fashion.

Player stats after the jump.

Sidney Crosby - 2G, 1 A

Chris Kunitz - 2G

Chris Conner - 1G

Eric Tangradi - 2A

Jay McKee - 1A

Mark Eaton - 1A

Sergei Gonchar - 1A

Jackets Training Camp Roster (with Cuts)

Mike MacLean — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:17:56 -0000

This is the Jackets 2009 training camp roster- with every cut I will strike the players name, and in brackets show where they were assigned. This will be a section you can find on the left of the page along with the depth chart and top prospect list.

Forwards

~~Andrew Agozzino~~ (Released)

~~Darren Archibald~~ (Barrie Colts, OHL)

~~Jared Aulin~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Jared Boll

Mike Blunden

Derek Brassard

~~Matt Calvert~~ (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)

~~Matt Caria~~ (Released)

Jason Chimera

~~Andrew Clark~~ (Released)

Derek Dorsett

~~Ian Duval~~ (Released)

Nikita Filatov

~~Trevor Frischmon~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Kevin Harvey~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Chris Higgins~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Kristian Huselius

~~Tayler Jordan~~ (Released)

~~Tomas Kubalik~~ (Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL)

~~Stefan Legein~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Derek MacKenzie~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Cass Mappin~~ (Released)

~~Maksim Mayorov~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Brock McBride~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Tim Miller~~ (Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

~~Jon Mirasty~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

+ Fredrik Modin

~~Tyler Murovich~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Andrew Murray

Rick Nash

~~Kyle Neuber~~ (Mississauga/Syracuse)

Sammy Pahlsson

~~Pascal Pelletier~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Alexandre Picard~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Zak Ray~~ (Released)

~~Tom Sestito~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Daniel Steiner~~ (Released)

~~Scott Tanski~~ (Brampton Battaltion, OHL)

Defensemen

~~Paul Bezzo~~ (Released)

~~Anton Blomqvist~~ (Malmo, Sweden)

~~Cam Brodie~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Grant Clitsome~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Mike Commodore

~~Steve Delisle~~e (Gatineau Olympique, QMJHL)

~~Tim Filangieri~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Jan Hejda

~~Nick Holden~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Rostislav Klesla

~~David Liffiton~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Doug Lynch~~ (Released, Austria)

~~Spencer McAvoy~~ (Released)

Marc Methot

~~John Moore~~ (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

~~Andrey Plekhanov~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Dylan Reese~~ (Released)

~~Brent Regner~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Kevin Roeder~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Mathieu Roy~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Kris Russell

~~David Savard~~ (Moncon Wildcats, QMJHL)

~~Jonathan Sigalet~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Martin Skoula~~ (Released)

Anton Stralman

Fedor Tyutin

Goaltenders

Mathieu Garon

~~Dan LaCosta~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Kevin Lalande~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

~~Andrew Loverock~~ (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Steve Mason

~~Jamie Tucker~~ (Released)

Jackets sign Dan LaCosta

Mike MacLean — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:11:45 -0000

via blog.syracuse.com

From Puck Rakers:

The Blue Jackets have re-signed minor-league goaltender Dan LaCosta to a one-year, two-way contract. He'll likely battle Kevin LaLande for the No. 1 job with the Jackets' top affiliate in Syracuse.

LaCosta, a third-round pick (No. 93) in 2004, was a restricted free agent. He was 2-0 with a .950 save percentage and 1.54 goals-against average in three games with the Blue Jackets this season, including a stirring, 28-save win over San Jose on Feb. 7.

For the first time since Pascal Leclaire was duking it out with Karl Goehring in 02/03 and 03/04 the Crunch have a solid two-man tandem in net. Lalande was acquired at last year's trade deadline from the Calgary Flames for a fourth round pick. LaCosta was awesome for the Jackets during a brief stint with the big club last season, including shutting out the Avalanche in his second NHL start. Lalande is viewed as a high-end goaltender as well, so it will be interesting to see the two battle for the starter's job in Syracuse and the eventual callup to the bigs. It's likely both will see time in the Columbus net at some point this upcoming season.

Jackets All-Prospect Team

Mike MacLean — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:44:19 -0000

via www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

Here's a quick idea of the Jackets all-prospect team. The players that qualify have all either played less than one full season, or have not played in the NHL at all. Not a bad squad, but the need for centers in the organization is obvious. The strength is certainly the blueline, something that GM Scott Howson and the scouting staff have actively worked on the past few seasons.

Nikita Filatov - Kevin Lynch - Maksim Mayorov

Alexandre Picard - Matt Calvert - Mike Blunden

Tom Sestito - Sean Collins - Tomas Kubalik

Jake Hansen - Cameron Atkinson - Stefan Legein

Trent Vogelhuber - Kyle Neuber

John Moore - Cody Goloubef

Brent Regner - Nick Holden

Grant Clitsome - Teddy Ruth

Will Weber - David Savard

Kevin Lalande

Dan LaCosta

Allen York

2009 Free Agency: Blue Jackets Round-up

Andy Newman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:54:18 -0000

Here at The Cannon we've already done a Free Agency Preview, we've looked at the Blue Jackets unrestricted free agents and restricted free agents, and earlier today we looked at some names the Blue Jackets could target at the beginning of free agency.

This post will serve as a quick round-up or cheat sheet for all the information. A guide to quickly reference for all your Blue Jackets free agency needs starting this Wednesday, July 1st.

Pending Unrestricted Free Agents: Manny Malhotra, Jason Williams, Michael Peca, Chris Gratton, Craig MacDonald, Mike York, Christian Backman, Aaron Rome, Wade Dubielewicz.

Pending Restricted Free Agents: Alexandre Picard, Jiri Novotny, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Marc Methot, Dan LaCosta.

Salary cap space: $17 million (Salary cap: $56.8 million)

Projected budget: $50 million (Current salary spent: $40 million)

Key Needs: The Blue Jackets desperately need more skill on the blueline to help the power play. They'll be looking for an offensive defenseman, a back-up goaltender to play behind Steve Mason, and a checking-line center or two. With an overabundance of wingers, if they make a trade involving a 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 swap of forwards for a defenseman, the Blue Jackets may also be in the market for a bottom six winger.

Potential Targets: Johnny Oduya, Dennis Seidenberg, Francois Beauchemin, Ty Conklin, Scott Clemmensen, Craig Anderson, Antero Niittymaki, Samuel Pahlsson, Manny Malhotra, Vernon Fiddler, Jiri Hudler, Chad LaRose.

What our Central Division rivals are thinking: Detroit Red Wings at Winging It In Motown, Chicago Blackhawks at Second City Hockey, Nashville Predators at On The Forecheck, and St. Louis Blues at St. Louis Game Time.

Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agency Preview

Andy Newman — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:00:17 -0000

More photos » by Ryan Remiorz - AP

Browse more photos »

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft this year really shows how smart and crafty Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson is.

He made not one, not two, but three trades to get exactly the players he wanted, right when he needed to pick them. Trading from 16 to 26, and back to 21 to draft John Moore was great maneuvering. I know many Vancouver Canucks fans were hoping Moore was still available at 22, but the fact that he was available at 21 was an incredible steal.

Howson has done a good job rebuilding depth on defense, a position where we had none just two years ago. He's drafted John Moore, Cody Goloubef, Will Weber, Brent Regner, and Steven Delisle (among others), and made trades for prospects like Teddy Ruth and Jonathan Sigalet.

We may have struck gold with Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason, but Howson made a very underrated move at this years' trade deadline bringing Kevin Lalande in via trade from the Calgary Flames. He will help push Dan LaCosta in Syracuse and gives us two respectable goalie prospects, with Lalande potentially being the better of the two.

These moves have done two things in my mind. One, it's proven the immense impact Howson has had on the Blue Jackets, very quietly, in just 2 full years. But it's also making the few holes that still remain that much more noticeable. But these draft picks and acquisitions make Scott Howson's moves on July 1st have a bit more flexibility.

What we need to look for:

It has intensified the need of a veteran back-up goalie for Steve Mason. Lalande and LaCosta will benefit greatly from battling with each other for playing time in Syracuse. We don't want to be where we were this past Novemeber, calling on an unproven goalie with just 3 games of pro experience. Then again, it worked out pretty well, eh?
We need an offensive defenseman (or two) at the NHL level, immediately. The good news is, with Moore, Goloubef, and others potentially being just 3-4 years away from the NHL, we don't need to sign Jay Bouwmeester to a 10-year $75 million deal. We can find someone serviceable to sign to a 3-4 year contract and that gives us ultimate flexibility when prospects start to make the jump, and when players like Kris Russell mature.
Don't lose focus on the forward group. We have some good core players under contract for at least a few more years: R.J. Umberger, Kristian Huselius, Jake Voracek, Nikita Filatov, and Jason Chimera. But over the next year, we need to deal with the contracts of Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and Antoine Vermette. The good news is, we could continue to inject this group with some free agents/trades more easily than other positions.

Tomorrow, I'll have a preview of some players I believe the Blue Jackets should target this July 1st.

The Cannon Top 20 Prospect List

Mike MacLean — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:48:51 -0000

1) LW Nikita Filatov (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

2) RW Maksim Mayorov (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

3) D John Moore (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

4) D Cody Goloubef (Wisconsin Badgers, NCAA)

5) D Teddy Ruth (Notre Dame Fighting Irish, NCAA)

6) D Will Weber (Miami (Ohio) Redhawks, NCAA)

7) D Nick Holden (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

8) LW Tom Sestito (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

9) D Grant Clitsome (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

10) D Brent Regner (Vancouver Giants, WHL)

11) G Kevin Lalande (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

12) C Kevin Lynch (Michigan Wolverines, NCAA)

13) D Jonathan Sigalet (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

14) LW Alexandre Picard (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

15) RW Mike Blunden (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

16) RW Matt Calvert (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)

17) D David Savard (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

18) LW Jake Hansen (Minnesota Golden Gophers, NCAA)

19) RW Tomas Kubalik (Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL)

20) G Dan LaCosta (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Blue Jackets restricted free agents

Andy Newman — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:00:12 -0000

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

Browse more photos »

Yesterday I looked at the unrestricted free agents for next year, and today I want to finish that by looking at the restricted free agents for the Jackets. A restricted free agent is, essentially, someone who is up for a new contract, but the Blue Jackets have the first chance to offer them a contract, and can match any contract another club may offer.

Restricted free agency can get a little more complicated, but there's a good explanation of all the ins and outs of the NHL free agency system here.

The 2009-10 restricted free agents for the Blue Jackets are (08-09 salary is in parenthesis, listed in millions of dollars):

Alexandre Picard (.787) - May have finally found his scoring touch at the professional level. He scored 21 goals in the final 22 games with Syracuse this year. 7 of those goals came in a 2-game span. Showed a better sense of what it takes to compete in the NHL. Could surprise some next year.

Jiri Novotny (.800) - Novotny can be good for 4-5 games in a row, then disappears. When he plays the way the coaches want him to play, he's an excellent addition to the fourth line. Can play any forward position. Can have a nose for the net when he plays with passion. Needs to find consistency. Jackets may look to keep him if no better options surface.

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (.750) - His unforgiving style of play may be leading to more wear and tear on his body than those he's checking. Missed a considerable chunk of games due to injury this year. A great player to have around, and could compete for a 7-8 spot, but may get a better shot with a different team. It doesn't help his case that we pretty much only have defensive defensemen right now, and need someone to provide offense from the backend.

Marc Methot (.522) - Proved doubters wrong, and had a very strong season. He backed up his words and proved his worth for the Jackets. If the Blue Jackets add a defenseman, or two, this summer, will he become one of the odd men out? Hopefully not, he was solid enough when filling in for Rusty Klesla who was out much of the year.

Dan LaCosta (.525) - We almost had another rookie goalie sensation. Played great in 2 games where he beat the two top teams in the NHL at the time, San Jose and Detroit. Earned his first NHL shutout, and showed his first real signs of true NHL potential. The Jackets will most certainly re-sign him.

This is an interesting group of restricted free agents. A lot of guys that have, in some sense, boom or bust potential. Letting one of these guys go, especially at a low price, could hurt if they have a strong season next year. But how much money do you continue to give a questionable first round pick that has 0 goals and 2 assists in 58 NHL games?

Game Day Open Thread: Jackets @ Caps

J.P. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:00:06 -0000

Next Game

Columbus Blue Cross/Blue Shield Jackets (h/t Portzline)
@ Washington Capitals

Friday, Jan 9, 2009, 7:00 PM EST
Verizon Center

Complete Coverage >

Tonight's probable netminders:

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Jose Theodore	24	1352	14	6	1	1	65	2.88	625	560	.896	1

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Steve Mason	23	1388	13	9	1	4	42	1.82	638	596	.934	5

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Dan LaCosta	1	35	0	0	0	0	2	3.43	19	17	.895	0

Have at it, schadenfreude-lovin' people.