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I just wanted to make sure everyone (especially those of us who are fantasy hockey buffs) gets a chance to see the great 2009 Blue Jackets Fantasy Preview posted by Wamsley of Fantasy Sense Hockey.

Click here to see his post. 

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

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Another slightly surprising contract extension for Blue Jackets fans this pre-season:

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed right wing Derek Dorsett to a two-year contract extension which begins in 2010-11 and continues through the 2011-12 season, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today. 

Link

Dorsett had 4 goals, 1 assist and 150 penalty minutes last season with the Blue Jackets. Dorsett continued the tradition of the Blue Jackets having the ultimate rookie pest, following Jared Boll's lead from the previous year. 

If this doesn't get you pumped for the upcoming season, I don't know what will:

The contract terms, according to Puck-rakers:

The new contract is a one-way deal. Dorsett will make $550,000 in the 2010-11 season and $575,000 in 2011-12 season after which he will be a restricted free agent.

The question this raises in my mind, what does this mean for Jared Boll? Boll got off to a bad start last year, breaking his hand playing shinny over the summer and being extremely limited during training camp. Then, during the first game of the regular season, getting hurt in an extended fight with Dallas' Krys Barch. 

Unfortunately for Boll, that doesn't change the fact that Dorsett burst onto the scene much like he had the year before, and now has a nice new contract extension from the Blue Jackets, ensuring he'll be a part of this club for at least the next three years.

Hitch would like to get Dorsett and Boll together on the fourth line, but unless Dorsett can convert to center, is that really plausible? There's clearly a logjam of forwards, particularly wingers, and between Fredrik Modin, Raffi Torres, and Jason Chimera, who exactly would you sit to make room for both Dorsett and Boll?

This isn't meant as a slight against Boll, he's one of the best young agitators in the league and he's loved in Columbus. But in terms of making your team better, is he on his way out? Boll is certainly still attractive for what he brings to the table and has a lot of potential. But shaving his $743,333 off the budget could help tremendously for a team that appears to already have reached its internal cap number.

Saving that bit of money could help sign a player like Marc Andre Bergeron rather than being limited to offering just a tryout contract. Or maybe this could pave the way for Anton Babchuk to Columbus rumors to finally turn into something. 

What do you think? Is this signaling the end of Jared Boll in Columbus?

Derick Brassard signs a 4-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets to remain under contract through the 2013-14 season.

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More information from the Dispatch regarding the Derick Brassard contract extension:

The contract has an annual salary cap hit of $3.2 million. Brassard will make $2.8 million in 2010-11, $3.0 million 2011-12, $3.3 million 2012-13 and $3.7 million in 2013-14, the final year of the contract.

Brassard will be a restricted free agent after the 2013-14 season.

This is a brilliant signing. With Brassard, of course there are injury concerns, but if he has half the year he was on pace for last year, he will be worth the money. A first line center for just over $3 million could turn out to be one of the best deals in the league halfway into this contract. 

The are many advantages to getting this deal done now. If he has a solid year on the first line between right-winger Rick Nash and left-winger Kristian Huselius, we don't have to worry about contract demands being too high next summer. (Manny Malhotra quickly comes to mind.) Also, there are no worries for offer-sheets. Although the strategy of using offer-sheets to sign players may be dead, it remains a possibility and we cannot afford to lose our most valuable center.

The injury concerns aren't too scary if you ask me. Look at Pascal Leclaire. We signed him to a pretty fair multi-year deal and he got injured ... again. But as a former first-round pick with a lot of potential, he still had value. Surely not as much had he been healthy, but we got Antoine Vermette out of it, who still yet may prove to be a bigger steal than most realize.

Now, onto the newest report...

According to the Columbus Dispatch:

Left winger Alexandre Picard has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets, The Dispatch has learned. The deal will pay Picard $865,700 if he plays in Columbus, and a far smaller figure if he plays in Syracuse.

This is it for Picard. He finished the year on fire in Syracuse with 21 goals in the final 22 games. Can he bring any of that spark into training camp? Does he now know what it takes to make it in the NHL?

Another former first-round pick, Picard has greatly adjusted his game from when he was first drafted. He went from being a scoring machine to a bit of a spark plug. But the fact remains that he's becoming a high-priced tweener that can't truly break into the NHL. With the third and fourth line spots available for the taking, Picard will have as good of a shot as any to earn ice time in Columbus. The question is, can he surpass Fredrik Modin, Jason Chimera, Andrew Murray, Derek Dorsett, or Jared Boll on the depth chart?

Let us know in the poll and comments what your thoughts are on these signings. Training camp is just over a week away!

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

3 months ago: FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2008, file photo, New York Islanders center Mike Sillinger warms up before facing the Colorado Avalanche in an NHL hockey game in Denver. Sillinger who played for a record 12 teams during 17 seasons in the NHL, is retiring because of an injured left hip. The 38-year-old forward played in only seven games last season and had season-ending hip resurfacing surgery in January. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

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Puck Daddy Greg Wyshynski recently compiled a blog post titled, "Tribute: Local bloggers recall all 12 of Mike Sillinger's NHL stops," where he asked the opinion of bloggers from each market where Mike Sillinger played. There seems to be a common theme that nobody really remembers him vividly, but he seems to have been appreciated wherever he went.

Puck Daddy writes:

We're talking about a blue-collar center with underrated offense (he had 240 goals, 308 assists in 1,049 games) and a winning personality that thrived in this League for 17 seasons with 12 different teams; one whose journeyman status became the stuff of both legend and punchlines

See what I had to say about him over at Puck Daddy's blog!

Also, if you aren't familiar with it, please take a moment and check out the Two Degrees of Mike Sillinger.

More photos » by Paul Vernon - AP

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Is Rick Nash the next great Mr. Canada?

Although Toronto Maple Leafs fans won't be getting the front seat view of Rick Nash in action they had hoped, he'll still be representing all of Canada in the 2010 Olympics. Is the Columbus captain poised to become the next great Canadian legend? You decide.

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - ASSOCIATED PRESS

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First off, I wanted to say a quick good luck to Jason Williams, who recently signed a 1 year, $1.5 million contract with the Red Wings. This marks his return to Detroit, the team that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in the year 2000.

What's impressed me even more than Williams solid offensive play when in Columbus, has been his attitude towards the Blue Jackets, especially after signing this new deal. His comments to The Dispatch:

"I was disappointed that it didn't work out, me coming back to Columbus," Williams told The Dispatch today. "But I understand the situation. I think if (Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson) could have re-signed me, he would have. But his hands were tied. There's nothing else he could do about it. There's no blame at all.

"That's a good young team that's definitely headed in the right direction. If I could have gone back, that would be great. That team is making strides. But this is the business. It's tough to keep players."

Although you're playing for that other team up north, good luck Jason, and I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Columbus.

And another good luck is in order, this time for Jared Aulin. Yesterday an article was published about the former 2nd round pick and his path back into the NHL. 

I recommend reading the whole article, but here's a quick bit about the chance he's getting with the Blue Jackets:

Aulin had an agent send faxes to all NHL teams and follow that up with phone calls. He admits he didn't expect to hear from anyone and was, in fact, prepared to check out the European market.
Which is when the Columbus Blue Jackets called.
Don Boyd, their director of hockey operations and player personnel, remembered Aulin and convinced general manager Scott Howson that signing him was worth the gamble.
"I was ecstatic," Aulin said, adding that he is a different person than he was during his first go-round.
"I'm really confident right now and working really hard," he said. "With age comes maturity and discipline . . . it's been a great summer."

Aulin seems to have been through a lot, and hopefully for his sake and ours, he can find his way back to the NHL. 

Aulin is a right-shooting center who once scored 108 points for Kamloops in the Western Hockey League. Ideally, he'll have a chance to center the fourth line in training camp and will battle with Andrew Murray, Michael Blunden, and Derek Dorsett for the job. Good luck!

More photos » by Paul Vernon - AP

8 months ago: Columbus Blue Jackets' Marc Methot, left, tries to control the puck in front of Chicago Blackhawks' Samuel Pahlsson, of Sweden, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, April 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

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Or do we already have one?

First off, I have to give credit to Light the Lamp for the inspiration for this post. 

From LTL:

Puck-rakers just announced that Marc Methot has avoided arbitration and has signed a 2 year deal worth $975,000 in 2009-10 and $1.05M in 2010-11.

Not bad for a 6th round pick in the 2003 draft. I wonder if the "mouthpieces" will start calling Methot a gem like they do Detroit's Eriksson [sic]? I mean afterall Eriksson [sic] was a 9th round pick in the 2002 draft and scored a whopping 1g, 3a in 19 games last season. Methot on the other hand registered 4g, 13a in 66 games.

The Ericsson referenced is, of course, Detroit's rookie defenseman Jonathan Ericsson.

After reading this blog entry, it got me thinking, when is Columbus going to get some credit? Now, before I get started, I have to admit, Ericsson playing a big role in Detroit is slightly different than Methot playing a big role in Columbus when you compare to the two rosters. And yes, I know very few lust after a young franchise slowly building what will become a perennial contender when three hours up the road you have the most recent edition of a dynasty in the NHL. Detroit also has a history of late-round steals, which is why many are quick to praise their players. With that out of the way, the argument remains.

Ericsson is praised and praised and praised for being a "diamond in the rough" and playing valuable minutes for the Red Wings this year. The 25-year-old defenseman was the last pick in the 2002 draft. The fact that he's even played in the NHL, let alone found a home with the Red Wings, is certainly an accomplishment. But why don't the Blue Jackets get similar praise for their draft successes?

Marc Methot was selected in the 6th round in 2003. Most draft picks are typically a roll of the dice. Columbus is getting some recognition for rookie sensation and Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason, a 3rd round pick in 2006. But I want to know, why isn't Methot getting any love?

Here are the scouting reports found on Sportsnet.ca for Methot and Ericsson:

Methot:

Assets

Has outstanding size and defensive acumen. Plays a sound, stay-at-home game and rarely makes mistakes in his own end. Displays leadership qualities.

Flaws

Lacks the offensive ability to put up points on a consistent basis in the NHL. Needs to use his large frame more to intimidate the opposition.

Ericsson:

Assets

Owns the size NHL teams crave along the blueline. Has a projectable frame and all-around upside. Could log big minutes because he's low maintenance.

Flaws

Is extremely raw in all aspects of the game, and needs better coordination in order to maximize potential. Must also use his size more to his advantage.

Guess which one is pegged as a "top four defenseman" and which is considered a "stabilizing defenseman" or in other words, a 6/7 defenseman? If you guessed Ericsson as the top four d-man, you were right.

Had Ericsson played an entire season, he was practically on pace to match Methot's point totals. As mentioned in the Light the Lamp entry, Methot finished with 4 goals and 13 assists for 17 points in 66 games. Ericsson tallied 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in 19 games. Ericsson, who is credited for his size, checks in at 6'4'', 206 lbs., while Methot is listed at 6'3'', 225 lbs.

Methot wasn't just a bottom pairing defenseman this year, either. He filled some big minutes on the second pairing next to Fedor Tyutin for most of the year, with Rusty Klesla down with various injuries. 

All I'm saying is, these two guys aren't very different. Except one plays for the Red Wings. Ericsson did have a pretty solid playoff appearance, but Methot didn't get much of a chance. He also wasn't playing with Pavel Datsyuk, Marian Hossa, and Henrik Zetterberg.

As the 2009-10 season nears, the Blue Jackets are hoping to add an offensive-defenseman, and Methot could see reduced minutes, especially if Klesla stays healthy. I was a little on the fence about the Methot deal when I first heard about it, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was a good deal. He's just 24-years-old and still has room to grow. Columbus does lack a true puck-mover or a cannon from the point. There are certainly weakness to the defense. But there are some tremendous players in place that are continuing to grow and will excel with the Jackets yet again next year. Don't get me started on Jan Hejda or Fedor Tyutin.

Click below to view some Methot clips to whet your appetite for next season.

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More photos » by Terry Gilliam - AP

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Today, the Blue Jackets officially announced the 2009-2010 regular season schedule.

It can be viewed here. (Here are links to a printable version and a downloadable version.)

The season kicks off on Saturday, October 3rd at home against the Martin Havlat and the Minnesota Wild. The season will come to an end against the Detroit Red Wings in Columbus on Friday, April 9th. 

The Jackets will have another New Years Eve game this year when the Nashville Predators come to Columbus.

Notable Eastern Conference opponents visiting Columbus: Pittsburgh Penguins, 10/30. Carolina Hurricanes, 11/7. Toronto Maple Leafs, 12/3. Buffalo Sabres, 2/6. Washington Capitals, 4/3.

The Blue Jackets break for the Olympics is 2/15 through 3/1.

Details on 6-game packages can be viewed on BlueJackets.com.

Thoughts? Likes? Dislikes?

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

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The 2009-10 NHL season will soon be upon us. Today, the Blue Jackets announced their pre-season schedule.

Sept. 18: @ Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Sept. 19: @ Nashville, 8 p.m.
Sept. 21: vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: vs. Boston, 7 p.m.
Sept. 24: vs. Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: @ Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26: @ Boston, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28: vs. Nashville, 7 p.m.

Follow this link for more information regarding updated ticket and seating information.

The full 2009-10 NHL schedule will be released on Wednesday.

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

It is now safe to begin calling Rick Nash "Captain Columbus."

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Happy 4th of July. Free agency started just a few days ago on July 1st, but this summer for the Blue Jackets has already been deemed a success.

On July 1st, the Blue Jackets added two solid players, checking-line center Samuel Pahlsson and back-up goaltender Mathieu Garon. Both players have played their role in helping their team win a Stanley Cup championship. They will bring that experience, attitude, and confidence here to Columbus. 

But the biggest news of all, coming in last night as many in the city were preparing to watch Red, White and Boom, Rick Nash signed an 8-year, $62.4 million contract extension with the Jackets. His annual cap hit, beginning after next season, will be $7.8 million. The deal will escalate $100K each year, starting at $7.5 million and ending at $8.2 million in the last year. It includes a no movement clause for the first five years, and a limited no trade clause for the last three.

From The Dispatch:

"It's a very fair number," Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson said. "(Nash) made a statement to the team and the city that he's not out for the last dollar. He wanted to have a fair contract that allows us the flexibility to build the team around him."

...

"Rick did not want to go unrestricted (next summer)," said Joe Resnick, Nash's agent. "He believes in what they're doing in Columbus. He believes in his teammates. He truly loves the city."

This news was certainly reason to celebrate, and has brightened up many Jackets fans celebrations for the 4th.

And then this news came out in the paper today, and how can you not smile when reading this from Dispatch reporter Michael Arace:

Nash's agent, Joe Resnick, and Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson had a seven-year deal hammered out yesterday afternoon. Howson was skittish about the cap hit -- roughly $8.3 million -- but was prepared to draft the contract. In fact, assistant general manager Chris MacFarland was doing exactly that, drafting the papers.

Then, Nash checked in with Resnick. Nash told his agent that the cap hit ought to be softened, to give the Jackets flexibility down the road. Nash wants to win. He wants players around him. He suggested tacking on an eighth year and adding, say, $4 million to the total. He suggested they might spread the total evenly over the entire term, and thus lessen the cap hit.

"When I told MacFarland that Nash wanted an eighth year to lower the average, there was definitely a pause, like, 'Are you serious?' " Resnick said.

And it was done. Rick Nash is a Blue Jacket until 2017-18. He is our captain. Captain Columbus.

And he will lead us to victory.

Now if only we could add an offensive defenseman... I'd start planning the parade.