MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Goaltender Pascal Leclaire saw three of his previous four pro seasons derailed by injury, and he underwent knee surgery last year. Leclaire, the Blue Jackets No. 1 draft pick (eighth overall) in 2001, had lots to prove this season. He set career marks with 54 games, 24 wins and nine shutouts, convincing management he's a franchise goaltender.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER Left winger Fredrik Modin played in only 23 games because of a slew of injuries, from his toes to his head. He was counted on to play on a line with Rick Nash and give the Blue Jackets a formidable pair of wingers down low, but he was never 100 percent. He finished with a meager six goals and 12 points.
FREE AGENT FOCUS If the Blue Jackets determine that center Derick Brassard and right winger Jakub Voracek are ready to play in the NHL next season, it could alter their approach to free agency. They have lots of money to spend and want to upgrade both their forwards and defensemen, but Brassard's and Voracek's development could allow them to spend more money on defense.
PLAYER NOTES
--After a mid-season lull following a broken jaw, center Derick Brassard is back on track to make the NHL club next season. Brassard, 20, has four goals and 11 points in 10 playoff games with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch.
--The Blue Jackets and Pascal Leclaire have agreed to delay contract talks until after Leclaire is finished playing in the World Championships for Team Canada. Leclaire, a restricted free agent, is due a big raise after tying for the NHL lead with nine shutouts.
--RW Dan Fritsche's broken left hand is healing well following surgery. He'll be ready for training camp in September.
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C'mon.. 10 straight years of this crap?? never a sniff of the playoffs?? Yet a great fan base, incrediable arena/atmosphere, and local TV & radio support for this???
I'm done with the home team.
It's run badly from the top down.
Empty promise after empty promise after empty promise.
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I think this is the year that they make the playoffs. I think they are getting good veteran pieces together right now and are only about one first line player away from having a playoff team. Hitchcock is a good coach and I think after a year of figuring out what players he has and what players he needs he is poised to take this team to the next level
As a lifelong, diehard Flyers fan, I have to say that I am impressed with what your organization has done this offseason. I think with some of these moves, and the resigning of Leclaire, I think yall will make some noise in the west. Everyone in Chicago here, is pumped up about the Campbell
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I've heard mixed reports with the jackets chances of signing this guy. I've heard we will likely sign him, that we don't have enough money to sign him because a team like the Blue Jackets would have to pay alot to get him, and a few in between. What's the deal here? I would be thrilled if we got this guy. With Umberger and a possible Malon
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Hi Blue Jackets fans, I am a Penguins fan but I come in peace! I was just wondering about Dan Fritsche. Is he a good player and what role does he play? Rumors I have heard around Pittsburgh is t
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