Blue Jackets Roundtable Podcast: Episode IV

Bernier is an interesting goalie and has a very identical resume to Schneider who I still feel should be our first choice. But I would be very happy to see either one of those guys in a Bluejackets uniform next year. However, it worries me a little bit that neither has been a number one goalie on an NHL team yet.

In terms of defensemen, the first priority should obviously be to trade for veteran d-men that can help the team now, and if we move Carter that should be our main goal (if not a top goalie). We are also lacking good prospects on d and if we could somehow get two first round picks, this would be a good year for it. I would not like the option of trading down though, unless the offer was too good to refuse. If we only have one pick I say we pick for talent first (Yakupov?), and need second (defenseman). I am also not surprised that Grigorenko has moved down a bit, because raw talent is typically more important than being well rounded. I am sure Grigorenko will turn out to be a fine player, but he just doesn’t seem to have the “it factor”.

In terms of who will be in the top 5, this could change pretty drastically in the next few months. Last year, I think that Johansen was predicted to go much later in the first round, just a few weeks before the draft. Howson actually took a lot of criticism for that pick by many fans, who wanted a d-man prospect that could help the team right away. I personally think he made a very wise choice, although we can’t say for sure yet.

If it’s one thing that Howson is good at (my opinion), it is to create package deals where we seem to come out in front or at least not lose. I hope that he can manage to do that over the next six months so that we can accomplish the following. 1, Good goalie, 2, Good defensman 3, Don’t screw up our first round pick. Anything above and beyond that would be great, but I’m not getting my hopes up. My biggest fear is that we dump our assets in a fire sale without getting enough back. Clearly, this is not Howson’s style, but with all the screaming and yelling for the nuclear option going on, you never know. However, with a seemingly smart guy like Craig Patrick watching, that seems pretty unlikely.