Just a couple quick trade hitters for you:

This from ESPN's Lebrun: 

Nearly every buyer you talk to lists a top-six forward as an item on their wish list before the Feb. 27 trade deadline.

What the trade market needs is more teams to declare themselves sellers and out of the playoff race. But it’s still too early for that. That’s what happens with so much parity in the standings.

Potential top-six forwards available? Again, it doesn’t mean all these players will move, but these are names we’ve heard that could be in play: Derek Roy, Brad Boyes and Drew Stafford in Buffalo; Vaclav Prospal, Antoine Vermette and Kristian Huselius in Columbus; Ales Hemsky in Edmonton; Tuomo Ruutu in Carolina; and the suddenly hot Jason Blake in Anaheim.

If there is one thing the Jackets do have available it's top 6 forwards.  Goaltenders?  Who would want those guys?  Defense?  Won't trade the ones they want and nobody wants the ones we'd trade.

So back to the forwards.  Prospal, Phalsson and Juice are all unrestricted free agents.  That's like gold at the trade deadline b/c nobody wants the baggage/complications that players with long term deals bring.  Rentals allow teams to add to their rosters without giving anything up (other than futures) and keep that financial flexibility for offseason moves.

That doesn't mean guys with longer terms deals can't be moved.  Afterall, we moved Klelsa at last year's deadline.  Vermette (3yrs @ 3.75mil); Carter (10yrs @ 5.27); Nash (7yrs @ 7.8); Umberger (5yrs @ 4.6), despite lackluster years, would all draw interest on the open market.  But moving those guys to playoff teams (ie buyers) who often do not want to subtract from their rosters, just add, is more complex b/c the majority do not have the available cap space. 

If I was betting man here is what I'll guess will go down by the deadline.  And remember -- there are not a lot of sellers.  In fact, I count only 8 of 30 teams realistically out of the playoff hunt at this stage.  That is only 26% of the league who are selling granted there is still more than a month to go before the deadline.  Plenty of time for other teams to put up the for sale sign.  Anyhow -- here it is:

Prospal - late first to 2nd.

Pahlsson - 3rd to 4th rounder.

Juice - 3rd rounder (assuming healthy).

Those guys are all definitely gone.  The biggest question is when?  The longer we wait the higher the price.  However, the longer we wait the higher the risk of injury.

I just can't see any Jackets with long term contracts moved until the leadership of this organization is addressed first.  The one exception IMO may be Jeff Carter.  I have a feeling both sides may jump on the first exit ramp that is a good offer.  Toronto is my guess -- especially if deals for heavily rumored guys like Bobby Ryan and JVR fall through.  Would have to be a similar deal to what we gave up though -- young blue chipper plus high draft pick.  Example. Luke Schenn plus a 1st?  Schenn plus Kadri?  

This from Darren Dreger's latest mailbag:

The contenders and pretenders are being filtered out by the day! Which teams do you feel are on the verge of doing a complete rebuilding (as opposed to re-tooling on the fly) after this season?
 
Steve
Hillsborough, NB
 
A: Steve - while there will be teams who clearly fall in to the category of "seller" between now and the NHL Trade Deadline, it's unlikely any team will fully embrace a full rebuild. The Columbus Blue Jackets may come close as this organization's annual quest for an identity and winning combination has yet again fallen short. Jeff Carter, Antoine Vermette and Derick Brassard will likely be among those dangled and despite the constant denials from the player, agent and management, I'm sure Rick Nash's name will surface in discussions leading up to the deadline. There will be many teams who may move key players, such as Buffalo, Carolina, Montreal and Tampa Bay in the East. While in the West, Minnesota's free-fall will soon have to be addressed to keep the Wild in the mix.  Anaheim and Calgary may also be active in the coming weeks. Calgary will do everything it can to make the playoffs this season and with nine players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, Jay Feaster and the Flames are facing a natural rebuild in the offseason. As we identified Thursday on the NHL on TSN, there are at least eight teams in the market for a Top 6 forward. It's a seller's market right now and prices are high for all players which is why the the trading game appears to be on hold.

Sounds like reality has finally slapped Derger in the face regarding Rick Nash.  Of course everyone is going to deny it publicly - it's how the game is played.

I've said it a 1000 times on this blog, but when there is this kind of long term systemic failure within an organization every option should be explored and that certainly includes a possible trade of Rick Nash.  If this organization isn't listening to offers for RicK Nash then they aren't doing their jobs.  But again, no trade of this magnitude should be consummated until the leadership problems are addressed first.

-LTL

Wow.  That'll leave a mark. 

In all seriousness, he's a pretty lucky dude as that could have been a whole lot worse.

Best caption I've read yet on this photo: "The boy who lived".

UPDATE: Follow this link to see a vid of the incident.

-LTL

There is Brett Lebda's lone goal last season for the Leafs.  He played in 41 games, had 1g, 3a and was a -14.

Another Lebda fun fact is that he managed to be a -3 in a 9-3 Leafs' win last year.

The signing is pretty much being universally panned by hockey fans around the league.  Lots of stuff like:

"Well that makes sense, if you are going to Fail For Nail leave nothing to chance".

"Howson took in a few Sabres games this past week and wanted to be sure they got Yakupov."

"I know you guys think your defence can't get any worse. It will"

"That's like adding the missing piece, but in reverse."

Here are a couple of pics from that thread:

As I mentioned in the game recap post from last night -- this move really doesn't make any sense unless they send Savard down and he's just another warm body to ride out this Titanic Costa Concordia (too soon?) of a season with.  Then again, maybe there is some merit to the fail for nail line of thinking.

Nah, Howson isn't that smart.

At this stage, I have no idea what in the hell Scott Howson is doing and I don't think he does either.  Put this guy out of his misery already.

As a buddy jokingly texted me this morning, if the CBJ go 31-3-2 they can make the playoffs.  My response, we've got em right where we want em.

Just pause and take a real good hard look at those numbers for a second.. My oh my, what a disaster (ELE!).  How some of these folks are still employed and aloud to continue to make moves is incomprehensible.  Year 11 and we are on pace for the worst season in CBJ history.  

The ONLY thing left that this team can possibly do to get something out of this lost season is to finish dead last.  That will gurantee us one of the two Russian studs.  Sounds like Lebda will be a nice piece to help us achieve that goal.

So in that sense, nice signing Howson.

-LTL

Kiss another game goodbye as the Jackets were shutout for the first time this season. 

1. The Jackets actually played a pretty good first period.  They had all four lines rollin. The forecheck was strong.  Some decent chances.  Then came the second period and we saw why the Preds win on a consistent basis and we lose.  The line between winning/losing so thin as this game came down to two things A. The Predators took advantage of our mistakes (penalties, Tyutin pass to Kostitsyn) and B. Their goaltender outworked our scorers.   That was the difference and it's a couple of reoccurring themes we should be used to by now.

2. One Jacket who I thought played his best game as a pro was John Moore.  No he didn't get any points but that doesn't matter.  He was all over the ice in this game.  We saw a lot of great things.  We saw his confidence now in using that speed to transport the puck.  We saw him play solid in all three zones.  We saw smart decision making on when to take chances offensively and when not to.  The game definitely seems to be slowing down for him.  He finished with 22:10 with 2 shots, 2 hits, 1 block and an even +/-.  I do worry a bit about over playing him as we need him to continue to build that confidence for next season.  So far so good though.

3. The Jackets offense continues to make other goaltenders look like Hall Of Famers.  Rinne had some good saves (the Tyutin glove from point blank comes to mind) but the Jackets forwards have got to convert on their chances.  Brassard did a great job creating that open net chance and then he shoots into the goaltender.  Nash was stopped by Shea Weber b/c he couldn't lift a shot.  Even though they crashed the net they couldn't get Rinne moving from left to right b/c they couldn't string two passes together in the offensive zone.  It's hard to believe that this was the first time this team has been shutout but it's not hard to see how it was done in this game.

4. Here is a stat for you - the Jackets are 2-10-1 against the central this season.  3 effing points out of 26 possible.

5. Your guess is as good as mine why Brett Lebda all of a sudden get's an NHL contract.  How long has Martinek been out now?  Better yet, how long has this team, for all intents and purposes, been eliminated from the playoffs?  The team already has a dman in Clitsome riding the pine, which I still haven't figured out why. The only two things that would make some sense is either A. they want to send Savard back down to develop or B. they have some kind of trade lined up that would ship a dman out.  Otherwise save the cash and ride out the season with what you've got.

6. The Fail For Nail OR Mikhail is still very much alive.  Anaheim won again last night.  The Islanders won tonight.  Unfortunately the Oilers lost 1-0 so the CBJ remain with a 7 point basement cushion.  Considering their next 6 are on the road -- don't count on them making up too much ground on anyone.

EXTRA SHOTS:
Methot needs to learn how to make a friggan outlet pass (that is for you Mike W.!).   Rick Nash had a team high 6 shots, 3 missed shots, a -1 and a giveaway in 19:18 in ice time.  Again - not as good as he needs to be but hey, we got to see the butt move again.  That Dorsett "interference" call was weak.  Guy took the puck straight to the net to make a play on goal.  Can't pin any goal on Mason as he was hung out to dry on both.  He stopped 22 of 24. The Jackets finished this 4 game home stand 2-2.  They are 3-5 in the month of January.  The Jackets have 3 of the bottom 5 worst +/- players in the league in Brassard, Wisniewski and Nash.  Nash is 2nd worst in the league with a -21.  Still don't understand why we don't put Nash in front of the cage on the PP instead of the halfwall. Anyone say to themselves -- man I wish Carter, Wisniewski and Umberger were out there?  I don't as I don't think it matters. 

On to Detroit on Saturday night.

-LTL

Was watching The Ides Of March tonight and look whose jersey showed up:

Most of the movie focuses on Ohio but still, pretty cool to see a CBJ jersey get some screen time!

-LTL

The International Scouting Service has released their top 30 for January.  Here is their top 10:

1. Grigorenko, Mikhail, RW 5/16/94 L 6.03.25 200Québec QMJHL
2. Yakupov, Nail, LW 10/6/93 L 5.10.5 189 Sarnia OHL
3. Forsberg, Filip, RW 8/13/94 R 6.01 176 Leksands SweAl
4. Trouba, Jacob, RD 2/26/94 R 6.02 196 USA Under-18 NTDP
5. Murray, Ryan, LD 9/27/93 L 6.00.5 201 Everett WHL
6. Dumba, Matt, RD 7/25/94 R 5.11.75 183 Red Deer WHL
7. Gaunce, Brendan, C 3/25/94 L 6.02 215 Belleville OHL
8. Rielly, Morgan, LD 3/9/94 L 5.11.5 190 Moose Jaw WHL
9. Reinhart, Griffin, LD 1/24/94 L 6.03.75 207 Edmonton WHL
10. Maatta, Olli, LD 8/22/94 L 6.01.5 202 London OHL

Couple of things immediately stand out:

* Grigorenko over Yakupov for the 2nd straight month.
* Canadian dman Ryan Murray dropped from 4 to 5 while American dman Jacob Trouba rose from 6 to 4.
* Similar to the NHL's Central Scouting Service - ISS has a lot of 'D' in their top 10.  In fact, CSS has 7 D in their top 10 while ISS has 6.  The odd dman out on the ISS list is Derrick Pouliot.  He is ranked 10th on the CSS list while he's 21st on the ISS list.

Here are the bottom 10 in the NHL as of today, January 18th, 2012:

So 45 games down for the CBJ with 37 to go.  Each of the last two years Edmonton has finished dead last with 62 points.  That included a cushion of 12 points in 09-10 and 6 points in 10-11 over the 29th worst team.  To hit that 62 point mark the Jackets would have to go something like 14-18-3 over that stretch.

So what is it now?  Fail for Nail or Mikhail?

-LTL

Let's not sugar coat it... While there are some talented and gifted players on both the Jackets and Oilers -- many of them weren't on the ice in this game.  The problem for both teams is that even when they have been healthy, the only thing getting tagged are more 'Ls' in the loss column.

1. Before this game the Jackets were 1-11-1 when trailing after the 1st period.  Make that 2-11-1 now.  That first period was just dreadful.  It was one of the most uninspired and sloppy 20 minutes played by this team this season -- and that is saying something.  Thankfully, after what I assume was a complete ass ripping by Todd Richards during the 1st intermission, this team came back out and played with a purpose and scored 4 consecutive goals to win this one in regulation.  

2. Right before Johansen scored his goal I was thinking, why can't any of our young draft picks be impact players?  Johansen had just 1 point in his past 6 games.  I look over at Edmonton and I see a 1st year player in Nugent-Hopkins with 35p.  I see 2nd year players in Eberle with 43p and Hall with 31p in 36 games played.  Of course all 3 of those guys were out hurt.  Johansen has 16p in 39 games.  We've seen glimpses like we saw with that quick release on his goal but it sure would be nice to see our high picks produce like all stars.  I know we've got some talented and gifted players.  But I want talented and gifted and productive!  TAGAP! 

3. An early goal in the 2nd and a late goal with .8 seconds remaining in the 2nd period?  The Jackets did this?  I'm so used to seeing the other teams score these momentum shifters that I had to rewind the DVR a few times to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.  Good for them and Brassard who continues to get rewarded for his rejuvenated play.  

4.  A couple things I like about what Todd Richards is doing early:

A. He's riding Sanford and it's been clear for quite a while that this team has more confidence in him than Mason.

B. He's spreading out the ice time.  Every player on this roster had over 10 minutes.

C. Nice call with the TO after Edmonton got those two early goals.  Sounds simple to call it then but I question if Arniel would have.

D. Like the fact he's giving the kids their share of ice time.  Brassard (17:13); Moore (23:37 - WHICH LEAD ALL JACKETS!); Kubalik (13:19); Savard (17:58); Johansen (14:28)

5. Here is a very interesting stat.  Rick Nash with only 15:56 in ice time.  That was 5th best amongst forwards!  Guys like Vermette, Pahlsson, Brassard and Dorsett had more time than he did.   I say good for Richards as you know what?  Nash didn't deserve any more ice time --- I thought he was just okay in this game.  Okay isn't good enough when you're going against a team with half their NHL defense missing and 3 of their biggest offensive studs.  He should dominate in a game like this and he didn't -- wasn't even close actually.

6. Colton Gillies first impressions.  He is big - no doubt about that.  And he can move for a big man.  But he is raw.  Didn't see a lot of skill although he made a nice play along the boards to get the puck and hit MacKenzie with a cross ice feed as he was driving hard to the cage.  He looked nervous early and then kind of settled down.  He will be interesting to watch how he adapts to his new squad in the 2nd half.  I still think Chimera when I see this guy which if he can develop into a 10-15 goal guy on the 3rd line would be a good thing.

EXTRA SHOTS:
I didn't realize you could get an unsportsmanlike penalty for trying to fight a guy?  What a ridiculous call on Dorsett.  Refs made up for it when they penalized Packham with what I thought was a borderline call that went our way.  Was great to see DD get rewarded with that empty net goal -- they don't ask how they went in, just how many and remember -- DD is a RFA after this season.   A little surprised that Ryan Johansen is a +4.  Need to be more careful with that stick as he's taken some stupid penalties of late.  Jackets got TWO PPG goals in this game.  Fail for Nail watch - with the win the Jackets remain in the basement but closed within 6 points of Anaheim and 7 of Edmonton.  The good news is that Carolina got a point and Tampa and the Islanders won.  The Jackets became the last team in the NHL to crack the 30 points standings mark.  Surprised we didn't see Boll go with Eager and/or Hordichuk.  What a freak accident to Hall -- was looking forward to seeing this kid play (and he's on my fantasy team!). Like the team in front of him, Sanford settled down in the 2nd and make a couple of real good saves (skate on Jones and glove on Horcoff come to mind).  He stopped 23 of 21.  Game not in HD for me.  Interesting and encouraging to hear that McConnell was walking around chatting with fans at this game.  Was a big meeting with Nationwide earlier this week right?  Who would you rather have?  A. Nash-Carter-Johansen or B. Hall-Eberle-Nugent-Hopkins?  

Finally, I just saw the new Ohio Health Chiller logo on BlueJackets.com.  Very nice:

Next game at home against those Predators on Thursday!

-LTL

The Jackets dropped another 1 goal game but for what it's worth...

1. ...I thought this team deserved a better fate in this game.  Yeah they didn't score and took too many penalties but unlike many of their previous losses, I really liked how this team competed throughout the lineup. Not sure if it's b/c they are playing looser under Richards or if it's the influx of new blood like Russell and Kubalik or a combo -- but, at least for now, they actually look like they give a shit.

2. ...the penalty kill was phenomenal. It gave up a goal but without it playing the way it did early, this game could have been over before the midway point of the 1st.  It looks like the tweaks that Richards made to the PK, especially putting more pressure on the entries, are working for now.

3. ...that was a beautiful goal by Rick Nash.  That is the kind of timely goal he get's paid 7.5 mil to score.  He has definitely raised his level of play the past few games (how about that hustle to retrieve that loose puck in the ozone early in the game?).  Is it a coincidence he looks better since Carter has been out?  That's probably a reach but I know I like his game better without Carter on his line.  He's not forcing things as much.  Keep it up 61!

4. ...Sanford played well overall.  He made some big timely saves, like that glove on Thornton mid-3rd, to keep this game within reaching distance.  And when you score like we don't -- a 1 goal hole versus a 2 goal hole is like a hill versus a mountain.  He gave up that juicy rebound on the 2nd goal but my gawd, what was our "shut down" center in Pahlsson doing?  He couldn't shut a door in this game.  Starting Sanford in back to back games should tell us loud and clear what Richards thinks of Mason.  And it was the right call. 

5. ...hey, why not claim Colton Gillies.  Here is forecaster on Gillies:

ASSETS: Has a massive frame and the potential to add significant bulk. Can play both wing and center. Thrives at forechecking with speed.

FLAWS: Is an extremely raw player that lacks hockey sense and the hands to produce big numbers at the highest level.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Big, speedy energy forward.

Do you know the first player that comes to mind when I read this?  Jason Chimera.

Gillies is 6'4" 204 lbs.  He's only got 2 helpers in 37gp and is a -5 this season.  In 89 NHL gp throughout his career, he's got 3g, 7a for 10p and a -9. He'll make 600k this year and 650k next and will then be a RFA.

I like this move and the biggest reason why is he adds depth and given our injuries, will ease the pressure to recall guys like Atkinson (who scored his 21st tonight) and Calvert (who assisted on Atkinson's 21st) who are playing very well right now on the farm.  I'm sure Springfield will also appreciate not continuing to gut their roster.  Let's see what Chimera part deux can bring with a change of scenery.

6. ...was a great crowd tonight with 16,582 in attendance.  I will challenge 90% of this league to have those kinds of numbers with our kind of history.  Non-hockey market my ass.  What this town is, is a 'wait til football is over and we will come... but give us a winner and we'll even come in football season!'. 

EXTRA SHOTS:
Nice move by Richards moving moving Nash to try to create a spark offensively -- it worked.  Expect the Shanahammer to nail Byers for a suspension and you can't argue that one.  Difference in this game?  Marleau buries an empty net while Dorsett and Tyutin don't.  Real nice save by Greiss on Dorsett's chance.  Even though Vinny didn't get on the board this guy continues to amaze me with his play.  I had know idea he was this good before we got him.  Guy just oozes hockey sense.  Rarely does he make a bad decision or put a puck on a wrong blade.  With his goal - Nash takes over the team lead in points with 31. I've been VERY impressed with Ryan Russell -- guy has been great on the forecheck and has a knack for blocking shots (2 more tonight). Nikitin continues to be a steadying force on that blueline.  I was worried his play may drop off but so far there is no sign of that.  Credit to Howson and the scouts for nabbing this guy. According to @Ed_Cmar_TSB_IH on twitter -- scouts from Flyers (2), Avs, Habs, Caps (3), Oil, Yotes and Hawks were in attendance.  The 3 from the Caps is very interesting.

Finally, an update on the "Fail For Nail" watch:

With this loss, the Jackets remain in the basement with a 6 point cushion.  The good news is that both Carolina and the Islanders won tonight.  Montreal also got a point.  Its starting to look like Edmonton may become the Jackets biggest competitor for first overall.  Wouldn't that be some shit if the Oil won the #1 pick for the 3rd year in a row?

Off to the "Frozen Diamon Faceoff" tomorrow.  Follow @lightthelamp if you want to see some pics from the event!

Thx for the pic BHG.

-LTL

Klesla tribute vid from last night's game:

Very well done!

-LTL

Lots of grins to go around after the Jackets held on and to grab a 4-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.

1. First beer of the night goes to three guys who got their firsts tonight.  Congrats to Ryan Russell and Tomas Kubalik for lighting their first NHL lamps and what makes it even sweeter -- it was for a 'w'!  Congrats to Todd Richards for this first 'w' as HC behind the CBJ bench.

2. Nobody was smiling bigger than Derick Brassard.  He's been playing better and better the last 10 games or so but nothing like tonight.  He was absolutely dominant.  He looks quicker.  More confident with the puck.  He's making the right decisions. Playing responsible in his own zone.  And he's putting up points (9p in past 11gp) in the process.  Not sure if it's the coaching change or what but this is the kind of show we've been waiting on Brass to entertain us with.  The question is, was it for one night only or are we talkin regional tour here?

3. Phoenix was 17-1-4 when scoring first... Now make that 17-2-4.  The Coyotes clearly know how to shut down a game once they get that lead.  Phoenix came out like a ball of fire and it paid off with that first goal.  But credit to the Jackets for not giving up.  Richards used all 4 lines as not one player was below double digits in ice time.  Everyone contributed and in fact, 3 different lines scored.  There were some breakdowns (Vrbata breakaway) but unlike numerous games this season - the Jackets bent but didn't break.  Solid team win.

4. Our top line of Nash-Brassard-Prospal actually looked like a top line.  They were very dangerous and at times were just flat out dazzling with their puck movement.  Actually -- I will say as a whole there were a lot less bobbled pucks and better decisions were made when we had possession.  Was really some of the best puck movement I've seen this whole season out of this bunch.

5. Interesting that all 7 goals were scored at even strength.  Both teams did a great job limiting the penalties.  In fact, only two were taken total between the two squads -- 1 each.  

6. Want to give a shout out to a guy who has quietly had a pretty good season given his role.  That player is Aaron Johnson.  He's not playing huge minutes but for a guy signed as a 7th dman he is one of the few actually performing up to his role.  Take tonight for example - he played 14:13 for 18 shifts.  He had 1 shot, 3 hits, 2 blocks, an assist and was a +1.  He made the key play to get this team back in this game with that cross ice feed to Kubalik.  In 22 games he's got 2g, 9a and is only a -1.  There have been a lot of Jackets who have underperformed compared to expectations but surprisingly, at least to me, AJ has not been one of them.  

EXTRA SHOTS:
Wasn't at the game but I would imagine the Klesla tribute was good.  Just the fact they thought of doing it is worth a mention.  Nice job.  Ohio State men's hockey lost 2-0 to Michigan.  They'll get their chance for revenge on Sunday.  Unfortunately Springfield blew a 3-0 first period league and lost in shootout 5-4.  Cam Atkinson did collect his 20th.  Jackets were a physical bunch out hitting the Yotes 30-18.  Fail for nail watch -- Anaheim won again so the Jackets still remain with a 6 point cushion in the league basement.  DD looks great with the 'A' and very much deserved.  I give all the credit to Vinny Prospal on that 2nd goal -- his forecheck is what caused the turnover and ultimately lead to Nash's goal. The Jackets won this one for Sanford instead of the opposite for a change.  He was okay but not great but he finally got some goal support. The Jackets had an attendance of 14,119.  Ohio State had an attendance of 9,828.  So a total of 23,947 were watching hockey on this fine wintry Friday night!

The Jackets took advantage of a tired Phoenix team in this game.  Tomorrow it will be the Sharks who will look to do the same against the Jackets.   Puck drops at 7!

-LTL