Columbus Blue Jackets

Nikita Zadorov Position: DefenseTeam: London Knights (OHL)Age: 18Date of Birth: April 16, 1995Place of Birth: Moscow, RussiaHt: 6'5" Wt: 228 lbsShoots: Left 2012-2013 Regular Season Stats: GP G A PTS +/- PIM 63 6 19 25 +33 54 2012-2013 Playoff Stats (includes Memorial Cup): GP G A PTS +/- PIM 25 4 4 8 +6 38 If there's one thing this draft has a lot of, it's very large defensemen. Nikita Zadorov is no exception, as the behemoth 6'5", 225-pounder from Moscow already has NHL-ready size. He's super-strong, as well, to go with the size, which is not a bad combination to have in a defenseman. Add to that his above-average skating, and you get the makings of a solid defenseman at the NHL level. Zadorov has holes in his game, to be sure; his offense is raw, and his positioning is not always solid. That said, he uses his mobility well to recover, and LOVES to hit and use his giant frame to disrupt opponents. Zadorov is ranked #22 in the final Central Scouting North American rankings. Scouting Reports: Zadorov is an elite physical player who possesses many tools for future success. He has a 6'5", 220-pound frame, and he is unusually strong for a player his age. He uses it to his advantage, as he loves to take the body and land highlight reel hits. He skates at an above-average to plus level, which is significant for a player at his size. He can close gaps remarkably well. The rest of his game is not as impressive, but he could be a fine puck mover and positional defender. Scouting sources have divided opinion on both of those fronts. He has improved as the OHL season has progressed. He shows ability to move the puck and make good reads in his own end, but his decision making is not always perfect. He possesses some offensive upside, but it is likely more in the average range. - Hockey Prospectus Potential is an overused word you’ll hear a lot come draft day but it’s a word that really describes what Nikita Zadorov’s game is about. Sure, the 6-foot-5 blueliner is a physical freak at such a young age. And sure, he’s already a very good all around player. But if he lives up to his potential, we’re talking about a franchise defenseman right here. Zadorov’s game is a little rough around the edges, but his competitiveness and physicality allow him to really impact the game. His offense is continuing to evolve and his positioning in the defensive zone has also steadily improved this year. The Scouting Report Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus: I think Zadorov could be a good fit for the Jackets in time, but he would need to work on shoring up some of his weaknesses. That said, he's a big guy who can skate, and isn't afraid to use his body. Considering some of the big-body defensemen on the Jackets and their lack of skating (thinking of Nikita Nikitin and Dalton Prout), a guy like Zadorov could be a decent addition to the Jackets' blue-line corps. Zadorov in Action Link for video if player isn't working...

Shea Theodore Position: DefenseTeam: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)Age: 17Date of Birth: August 3, 1995Place of Birth: Aldergrove, British ColumbiaHt: 6'2" Wt: 175 lbsShoots: Left 2012-2013 Regular Season Stats: GP G A PTS +/- PIM 71 19 31 50 -24 32 2012-2013 Playoff Stats: GP G A PTS +/- PIM 7 0 2 2 +1 4 Shea Theodore is a good-sized offensive-minded defenseman who brings a lot of offensive ability to the table. He skates well, moves the puck up-ice very well, and has a great shot from the point, which he also is able to unleash as a one-timer very well. He's a strength on the Power Play with that ability. Theodore has an offensive mind, and sees plays in the offensive zone very well. He's a good passer to go with all of these other abilities, and as such he brings the skills-set to the game that makes him a great offensive zone guy. That said, he's not a very good defensive defenseman, and that will be an area for improvement. He will be a big boost on the Power Play at the next level, but he may not be a guy that gives a lot of minutes because of his defensive short-comings. Theodore is ranked #11 in the final Central Scouting North American Skater rankings. Scouting Reports: Theodore is an offensive defenseman who possesses many tools. He put up big numbers at age 16, and although he did not match that pace at age 17, he was still very good. He is a dynamic skater, with a powerful stride that lets him pick up speed quickly. He can be a real threat when rushing the puck up the ice. He thinks the game so well in the offensive end, displaying a high level of ability with the puck. Theodore can dangle, but he is more of an instinctual passer, whether on outlets or controlling the point on the power play. He possesses a big shot as well. Theodore's issue is not about what he does with the puck, but rather what he does without it. One NHL scout said that he needs a lot of work in his own end. He can be the victim of risky turnovers and bad defensive positioning. To his credit, he has shown improvement in that area, and he has exhibited commitment to playing defense. He needs to continue to gain strength, as he is not the most threatening physical player. He has a lot of upside, but whoever drafts him will likely have to commit to waiting a number of years for that upside to manifest itself. - Hockey Prospectus Has had a difficult situation playing on a weak Seattle team this season and last... One of the better puck movers available in the draft... Has high-end offensive upside and PP ability... Defensive zone play is an area of development. The Scouting Report Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus: To be perfectly frank, I don't know that he *would* be a good fit for Columbus right now. The Jackets have two guys already known for their offensive proclivities at the expense of defense, and both are signed for the foreseeable future. That means there isn't a spot for a guy like Theodore who can't really contribute on defense right now. Theodore in Action

Curtis Lazar Position: Centre Team: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) Age: 18 Date of Birth: February 2nd, 1995 Place of Birth: Vernon, BC (Canada) Ht: 5'11" Wt: 194 lbs Shoots: Right 2012-2013 Regular Season Stats GP G A Pts PIM +/- 72 38 23 61 47 25 2012-2013 Playoffs Stats GP G A Pts PIM +/- 22 9 2 11 20 -2 I'll be honest - I didn't know Curtis Lazar from a hole in the ground when I started to write him up, but the more I look, the more I like what I see. Regarded as one of the best defensive forwards in this draft, he's slightly undersized, but seems to be growing into his frame and flourishing in the Dub. He's got a package of skills and talents that make me think he's going to be a solid NHLer before too long, and he's the kind of player you could see taking a Patrice Bergeron style role - a skilled shutdown player who can also contribute some significant scoring. Scouting Reports: Lazar is a well-rounded forward, with the benefit of having one of the smallest risk factors in this draft (in terms of probability of becoming an NHL player). He is an above-average skater who can flash plus ability in that area. He covers a lot of ice due to his tremendous work ethic, as he is always moving his feet. He can change gears quickly, and he picks up speed well. Despite being a tad undersized, he is a solid, physical player who is good on the forecheck Corey Pronman, Hockey Prospectus Stylistically Lazar reminds us of Ryan Kesler. He plays the effective two way game and is much more a goal scorer than a playmaker from the centre position. A very straight ahead north-south style, and the ability to work in the dirty areas of the rink are his hallmarks. As far as potential goes, Lazar, if he reaches his ceiling can be an effective #2 centre, capable of playing big minutes and matchups in the NHL. Ben Kerr, Last Word On Sports Why He'd Be A Good Fit In Columbus: The recent wisdom is that you don't find Centres through trade. You have to grow them through the draft. The Blue Jackets are blessed with Ryan Johansen and Boone Jenner, but it never hurts to stock up on skilled, two way players who can manage the game from either end of the ice. Even if his size is a bit of a concern, it's clear that Lazar has the skating ability and vision to play in the NHL, and all reports are that he brings the kind of leadership and character that we want to see in a first round pick. If Columbus hangs on to the #19 pick and Lazar is on the board, don't be shocked to hear his name called. Lazar In Action: Video courtesy YouTube user "DumbassShello"

Ryan Hartman Position: Right WingTeam: Plymouth Whalers (OHL)Age: 18Date of Birth: September 20th, 1994Place of Birth: West Dundee, IllinoisHt: 511" Wt: 187lbsShoots: Right I first took notice of Hartman at the World Juniors, where he stood out to me as a rough-and-tumble forward who could chip in with a little bit of scoring. I really started to like this kid at the Top Prospects Game in Halifax in January. Moments into the game he absolutely rocked Laurent Dauphin, bringing the crowd to its feet. He went on to dish out more hits, and showed that he could be dangerous around the net. Scouting Reports: A budding power-forward type, Hartman doesn't shy away from any physical aspects despite his size. With his physicality also comes the willingness to drive to the net, go hard into the corners and push the forecheck. Complimenting that is his scoring touch, leaving his game with few weaknesses.- Future Considerations Hartman is a do-it-all type player who can provide significant two-way value despite being a tad undersized, at around 5'11". He is smart, and he makes creative plays in both puck handling and passing. He is a very aware defensive player, as he makes great reads, and he will provide value in his own end at both even strength and the penalty kill. Hartman is a hard worker, which adds to his defensive value. On the forecheck, he can deliver good pressure, and the occasional big hit. He has decent, if not solid speed. He lacks the blazing top gear that a player with below-average size would optimally possess, but his skating is acceptable. Hartman will create from the perimeter, drive the net, and play tough defensive situations. He does not have a ton of upside, but he projects as an above-average regular. He can play center or wing, a versatile bonus for the Whaler forward. - Hockey Prospectus Led the USA-NTP U-17 team in scoring last season. A physical-style player who already understands the nuances of both offensive and defensive coverages, and leads by example. He shows plenty of promise to climb up the scouting lists, because he plays an ultra aggressive style fits NHL playoff style hockey, despite being under six foot. He pressures the opposition in plenty of ways, including those they don't like. Extremely smart and reads the on-ice situations, and will know when to drive the front, when to shoot, and the spot where to get open. Despite descriptions by many as not fast and under-sized, he has exceptional small area quickness in stop and starts and is a strong penalty killer. He can slide back to center ice if needed, and can play all three forward positions with grit, nasty and enough sandpaper that he can a disruptive force in all three zones.- Bill Placzek, Draft Site Very versatile player who can play wing or center. He knows how to play but one way; whatever it takes to win! He competes, has an edge, can be chippy and dirty but he plays within the confines of discipline. He will target 'key' players on the opposition side. He's smart with the puck, can make very good plays and has confidence with the puck. He will drive net with or without puck and he pays a price to play. Good skater who has very good 'game awareness' as to what needs to happen to help his team win. Overall, a player who is no fun to play against! - Craig Button, TSN Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus: I see him as the perfect player to suit up on the third line of the future with Boone Jenner as his centerman. The duo has the energy, drive, physicality and offensive ability to play a defensive role and provide tertiary scoring. He'll be a fan favorite wherever he ends up, and I'm hoping it's in Columbus. Hartman in Action:

Vezina Trophy Winner Sergei Bobrovsky Mickelson leads the US Open in Philadelphia, but the Vezina Trophy winner no longer plays there. For two draft picks Scott Howson acquired Sergei Bobrovsky, in the summer of 2012, who today deservedly won the Vezina Trophy as the goal tender of the year in the NHL. Bedecked in a really spiffy suit, Bob did the award interviews through an interpreter, as his English won't support a national TV interview. Please accept the heartiest congratulations from this season ticket holder and ardent fan. Well done Bob, well done indeed. You reflect great credit on the Blue Jackets organization and our fair City. GO JACKETS!!

The National Hockey League has confirmed what fans around Columbus have believed all season: Sergei Bobrovsky was the best goaltender in the NHL. Admittedly, a lot of people will complain about the shortened season skewing the polls, and there are strong cases that could be made for the other nominees, Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi, but today, it's all Bob. Amazingly, it isn't just that Bob is the first Blue Jacket to ever win this honor, he's also the first Russian born goaltender to ever take home this particular piece of hardware. You have to think he's enjoying making a little NHL history today. In 38 starts this season, Bob posted 21 wins, 11 losses, and 6 OT / SO losses, with a .932 save percentage, 2.00 GAA, and 4 shutouts. While he didn't lead the league in any category, he was top five in several, and made an obvious difference to this club. The league's general managers clearly recognized that Bob had "the total package" this season, with 17 of the 30 GMs giving him the first place vote. With this victory announced, one has to expect that GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Bobrovsky's agent, Paul Theofanous, will finally get down to brass tacks on a contract for the restricted free agent. Here's hoping that, too, will be finished soon, though it will also come with higher expectations from both fans in Columbus and the NHL at large.

Armed with thee first-round draft choices, the Jackets are in an enviable position. Scouts and experts are saying that this is the deepest draft since the legendary 2003 event, meaning should they keep all three of their top picks; they have a very good chance of coming away with a trio of excellent prospects. There are a handful of options available to the Jackets this offseason, let's take a look at some. Keeping the Picks In some combination or another, Nathan MacKinnon, Seth Jones, Jonathan Drouin, Aleksander Barkov and Valeri Nichushkin should be the top five players chosen. The next group of selections are likely to see Elias Lindholm, Darnell Nurse, Hunter Shinkaruk, Ryan Pulock, Sean Monahan, Nikita Zadorov and Rasmus Ristolainen be selected. Those twelve players represent a rough consensus of the top dozen players available. If any are still on the board when Columbus picks at 14th, serious consideration would be given to handing them a Columbus sweater. Any of the top five would be terrific selections, while of the next tier Lindholm, Pulock, Zadorov and Ristolainen are the best fits. That said, three of those players are blueliners- the deepest position in the organization. Once you get to the next grouping of players-who fall right in the Jackets' wheelhouse with their 14th and 19th overall picks-things get very interesting. Players like Bo Horvat, Max Domi, Valentin Zykov, Anthony Mantha, Alexander Wennberg, Frederik Gauthier, Mirco Mueller, Shea Thedore, Kerby Rychel, Ryan Hartman and Curtis Lazar will still be around. Assuming that my top 12 are taken with the first dozen picks, the Jackets could see a situation where they have their choice of high-end scorer with the 14th pick (Horvat, Domi, Zykov, Mantha, Wennberg), or a future shutdown center (Gauthier), a shutdown defenseman (Mueller), offensive defenseman (Theodore), or physical forward with offense (Rychel, Hartman, Lazar). Given the lack of offensive punch in the organization they should go with the scorer at 14, and Domi or Zykov would look fantastic in union blue. With the 19th pick, the team can more or less scoop up the leftovers. Do they choose a physical player with a dose of offense? If so, my vote is for Hartman. The kid was great at the World Juniors, and got everybody out of their seats with some big hits at the Top Prospect Game. Maybe they add to the defensive depth-Mueller's been Ryan Murray's defense partner, but I'm tempted by the offense that Theodore can provide. The 27th pick in most years would be a throw-away pick, but not this year. Like every team, the Jackets will have their list, and will be in a position to choose the best player available on their board. Every year there are surprise picks, and players fall for seemingly no reason, like Boone Jenner in 2011. If one of the players I listed above is still there-ideally one of the physical forwards-the Jackets would pounce all over that selection. There's a chance that Hartman or Lazar could still be available. A first round that nets the Jackets a high end scorer like Domi or Zykov, another stud defenseman in Theodore, and a physical forward who can provide secondary scoring in Hartman would be very successful. Trading Picks to Move Up Another option the Jackets have is to put their eggs in one basket and trade up in the draft order. This could mean offering all three first rounders in a trade with a top-5 team, perhaps coupling together the 19th and 27th overall picks for a pick in the low teens, etc. There are a handful of options. If the Columbus scouts, GM Jarmo Kekalainen and President John Davidson are absolutely smitten with one of the top five prospects, maybe they pull off a deal to move up. Apparently Nashville may be willing to deal out of the fourth spot. Though it's an option, I don't think it's a good one for the Jackets. Something that would be more likely, and I could stand behind, would be to package the 27th overall and the second round pick to see if

So let me get this straight about the Phoenix Coyotes: 1. General manager Don Maloney re-ups for a "long-term" on May 24th. 2. Assistant GM Brad Treliving re-ups for a "multi-year" term today. 3. The NHL is making noises (once again) about time running out on the Yotes in Glendale if the team isn't sold ASAP. The potential moving destination is Seattle, Washington (whose arena, contrary to the THN column, DOES have the ability to make ice - hence the hockey seating chart). So are the Coyotes moving or not? Here's my best way to find out, and it's the question that I haven't seen anyone asking: "Does Don Maloney have an exit clause in his contract if the Phoenix Coyotes relocate from Glendale, Arizona?" If the answer is "Yes," I say that it'll take a miracle to keep the Desert Dogs leashed up for even a couple more years. Maloney surely would get that such a clause gives the team the flexibility to move and for him to decide his fate if such a relocation happens. If the answer is "No," the NHL has dug into the Sonoran sands. If the question has been asked, and I just haven't seen it, I'd appreciate a link in the comments.

If you recall, Morgan, Mike and I took over the DKM Hockey Podcast studios for an evening to kick back and try to process the madness that was the 2013 Columbus Blue Jackets season. At long last...our final segment looks ahead to the offseason ahead. Tough decisions loom for the firm of Priest, Davidson and Kekalainen, and we share what limited wisdom we can offer. Hope you enjoy!

It's time for a new episode of the Blue Jackets Roundtable, and time to continue our series for the off-season! The Jackets are moving to the Eastern Conference, and as such as going to be in a new division with some teams that we didn't often see during the course of regular season play. So, we're doing a series of podcasts with bloggers from our friends at the various SBN blogs of our new division mates. This week's podcast is about the Philadelphia Flyers, and the SBN blog Broad Street Hockey. Manager Travis Hughes joined Dan for a chat about the Flyers heading into next season. Highlights include: Sergei Bobrovsky, Steve Mason, and the waving of a possible Vezina trophy repeated in front of the Flyers' faces Ilya Bryzgalov, contract buyouts, and the pants-crapping potential of Steve Mason: Flyers' Starter Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, silly trades, and the Dry Island Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Ryan Johansen, and the future of some young players The Shea Weber basket, and all the Flyers' eggs last summer How much we don't like Pittsburgh fans How much the Philly fanbase likes to be angry and grumbly, and how the media can follow suit The new divisional lineup, and who might be the weakest link ...and much, much more! Enjoy! Podcast Powered By Podbean If the player above isn't working, you can download this episode (right click and save) as well. Bonus good news! THE PODCAST IS NOW AVAILABLE IN ITUNES! If that's your bag, simply search for us in iTunes and subscribe!