Columbus Blue Jackets

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!

There is no substitute for veteran leadership Last night we saw the final dismantling of the Pittsburgh Penguins by the Boston Bruins. The Pens, in the words of Mike Milbury, were the 'prohibitive favorite to win the Cup' and were swept by Boston, 4 games to none. The NBC Sports color analysts were unanimous that there would be a coaching change in Pittsburgh in the wake of the debacle. So things will be different in Pittsburgh next year, and they will still be loaded with offensive talent. And, as I have watched these playoffs unfold I have never felt, as I have in past years, that the Columbus Blue Jackets would be out of place in the Eastern Conference playoffs. If they are playing the style of hockey next year that they played down the stretch, they are going to be in the conversation. How did Boston sweep the Penguins? I think they outworked them. They beat them to loose pucks relentlessly, and checked like demons. Sound familiar? Boston has also showed a great deal of resiliency under duress in the playoffs, the hallmark of solid team leadership. Much like the CBJ showed down the stretch. Much like the Penguins didn't exhibit in the conference championship. Adrian Aucoin, you need leadership on theback end as well. What were the ingredients of the CBJ's stretch run, things that they will need in ample supply next year in the eastern conference? A relentless work ethic and a 'never say die' attitude. These pieces have their foundation in the veteran leadership in the locker room. And Vinny Prospal is the ring leader and wellspring of these attitudes in the locker room. The teams leading scorer, Vinny is obviously not done in the NHL. It's time to get him signed to a new contract Jarmo. I know you have been focusing on the draft. I know we need to sign Bob. Vinny's contract should be easier. Prospal is the guy who knows how to have fun, but also knows how that you have to work hard, and then work harder. He sets that example on a day to day basis, which is a critical example for our young players. They are not ready to do it without him. It's time to get this foundation piece in place Jarmo. Its time to sign our leading scorer. Adrian Aucoin, by all accounts, was a crucial leader on the back end. Where are you going to put Murray's locker stall? Next to Aucoin. The back end may be crowded, but Aucoin will miss enough games due to injury to give the young 'uns a chance to play. But they will need to him to help navigate the NHL as young players. These are two, easy, one year contracts to preserve the veteran leadership in the locker room. As much as the Penguins were loaded for a Cup run, this is one ingredient they were lacking. The CBJ do not have the talent margin to enjoy that luxury. It's time Jarmo. Let's get this done. GO JACKETS!!

Valentin Zykov Position: Right WingTeam: Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)Age: 18Date of Birth: May 15th, 1995Place of Birth: St. Petersburg, RussiaHt: 6'0" Wt: 207lbsShoots: Right First, a little back story. Bear with me. Back in the 2010-2011 QMJHL season, the Baie Comeau Drakkar and Halifax Mooseheads were two of the league's weakest teams. The Drakkar finished 17th of 18 teams, while the Mooseheads finished 15th. When the 2011 QMJHL Draft came along, the Drakkar won the coin flip, giving them the first overall pick, while the Mooseheads picked fourth. Leading up to the draft, there was enormous hype for the consensus top prospect- one Nathan MacKinnon. Baie Comeau insisted that they were going to draft him, even though MacKinnon stated publically that he would not report to Baie-Comeau if they drafted him. MacKinnon threatened to play in the NCAA-and in fact was skating with a USHL team on the day of the Q draft-but off the record he and his family were hoping something could be arranged for him to suit up for his home town Mooseheads team. The Mooseheads tried hard to move up from fourth to grab him, but the Drakkar stood their ground and drafted MacKinnon first overall. The Mooseheads did manage to move up to second in the draft via a trade with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, where they drafted Jonathan Drouin. Heard of him? Days after the draft, with MacKinnon still refusing to report to the Drakkar, a deal was finally put together sending him to Halifax. From that point on the fates of the Drakkar and Mooseheads were tied together. Fast forward to this past season. Halifax and Baie-Comeau finished 1-2 in the regular season, and carved through the playoffs, meeting each other in the league final. MacKinnon was booed heartily in Baie-Comeau, adding fuel to the fire. For me personally however, the MacKinnon/Baie-Comeau thing wasn't the only story line in this series. The Drakkar picked up former Columbus prospect Petr Straka in a deal with Rimouski. Straka had a fantastic overage season, and part of me still believes the Jackets gave up on him too early. He's since signed with the Flyers. The storyline with this final series that grabbed me the most? The Drakkar had the league's highest-scoring rookie on their roster, who also took home the Michel Bergeron trophy as the league's top offensive rookie. He's also considered to be a shoe-in for the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft. Yup, it was Valentin Zykov. He came out of nowhere. Drafted in the second round of the CHL Import Draft, you'd be lying if you thought he'd have the impact that he did. Most teams forfeit their Import second-rounders, but Baie Comeau saw something in Zykov and managed to convince him to move to Quebec from Russia. The rest is history. He showed high-end offense, playing a power-forward style. On what was already a good team primed for a playoff run, he stepped in and finished only behind Straka in team scoring during the regular season. He was a point-per-game player in the playoffs as well. I paid special attention to him during the President's Cup Final. In Game One, the Mooseheads shut out the Drakkar 4-0, and nobody, including Zykov, looked particularly good for Baie-Comeau. In the second game, Zykov had a terrific game, putting up a goal and an assist in a losing cause. He scored again in Game 3, and in the decisive Game 5, he scored Baie-Comeau's only goal. Overall, he looked very good, banging bodies, putting up points. I was impressed. The team that drafts Zykov will get a very good power winger, a kid who has shown a commitment to North America by suiting up in the QMJHL. He's already got good size, and with added thickness his game will only get better. His skating is an issue, but not a deal-breaker. Scouting Report: Zykov was one of this season's biggest surprises. He did not come into the QMJHL as an elite scoring prospect, but he really flourished at Baie-Comeau. He is a skilled player, showing nice touch with the puc

Max Domi Position: Center/Left WingTeam: London (OHL)Age: 18Date of Birth: March 2, 1995Place of Birth: Toronto, OntarioHt: 5'9" Wt: 195 lbsShoots: Left 2012-2013 Regular Season Stats: GP G A PTS +/- PIM 64 39 48 87 +33 71 2012-2013 Playoff Stats: GP G A PTS +/- PIM 21 11 21 32 +12 26 Max Domi is obviously the son of the legendary Tie Domi, but that's where their similarities end. Max is a small forward, but he brings the kind of offensive game to the table his father could only dream about. Playing with Bo Horvat has helped Domi's numbers, but he also has shown this season an ability to put the puck in the net while also making plays. He has amazing puck control, and he moves very well on his skates. Obviously, size is a concern for Domi, but his speed and puck-handing ability do help to make up for it a bit. He also has a high motor, strong work ethic, and is strong for his size and isn't afraid of contact. With those blood lines, go figure. Shinkaruk is ranked #19 in the final Central Scouting North American Skater rankings. Scouting Reports: Max is the son of former enforcer Tie Domi, but he differs completely from his father in talent level. Max is a highly-skilled player who can impact an offense in multiple ways. One NHL source said he possesses clearly high-end playmaking abilities. He controls the puck, and he can make quality passes in a multitude of ways: slowing the game from the sideboards, through tight spaces in pressure, or saucers over a defender's stick. Although he is undersized at 5'9", he has very quick feet, and he displays a good level of speed and agility. He has the explosiveness a small player needs to play on a top line in the NHL. Combining his speed with his high-end puck skills makes Domi a dangerous scoring threat. Domi possesses dynamic qualities when creating offense, but often, he tries to be too fancy. He has a high on-ice work ethic and he does not shy from contact despite his size. He will need to improve his defense at the next level. - Hockey Prospectus Undersized pivot has extremely high skill level... Stocky frame and good strength for player of his size… Ability to play a chippy game and win puck battles... Capable as a scorer and playmaker, one of the most talented offensive players in the draft. The Scouting Report Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus: The Jackets need offense, and Domi brings that in spades. He's obviously undersized, but that hasn't stopped other players with the hands and the skates that Domi has from succeeding in scoring roles in the NHL. For the Jackets, his speed, his ability to control the puck, and his ability to set up teammates as well as finish would be huge assets. Domi's willingness to engage in contract would make him a good candidate for the Columbus system. He'd be a solid guy on the forecheck, and if he shows he can play a true two-way game he would fit in very well in Columbus. Domi in Action This clip obviously gets its own highlight: Other highlights:

Mirco Mueller Position: DefenseTeam: Everett Silvertips (WHL)Age: 18Date of Birth: March 21, 1995Place of Birth: Winterthur, SwitzerlandHt: 6'4" Wt: 185 lbsShoots: Left 2012-2013 Regular Season Stats: GP G A PTS +/- PIM 63 6 25 31 -10 57 2012-2013 Playoff Stats: GP G A PTS +/- PIM 6 0 1 1 +3 6 You can use one adjective to describe Mueller- steady. He's often compared to his former defense partner- Columbus prospect Ryan Murray, last year's second-overall pick. Prior to Murray suffering a season-ending injury, the duo were relied upon by the Silvertips to shut down the opposition's top players, kicking in occasional offense as well. After the injury to Murray, Mueller went on to have a solid season in Everett, who are in the midst of a rebuild. He reminds me of former Jacket John Moore- steady, smart, but not flashy. He would do well paired with a more offensive-minded defense partner, providing cover in offensive situations. He'd be equally adept in a pure shutdown role as well. The team that drafts him will get a very safe, versatile defenseman. Yahoo junior hockey blog Buzzing the Net has an interview with Mueller here. Scouting Reports: Mueller had a quality season in his draft year after coming to the WHL from Switzerland. He took on more responsibility for the Silvertips in light of Columbus draftee Ryan Murray's significant injury. He was also impressive as a 17-year-old defenseman at the World Juniors. The most impressive aspect of his game is his hockey sense. He is a top-end thinker with and without the puck. He slows down the game on breakouts, making good decisions with the puck. He also makes a lot of defensive stops due to his good positioning and reads. He displays above-average mobility, both closing gaps well and rushing the puck up ice with solid speed. Mueller has fine size, with a sense of quality physicality about his game. He has only average overall puck skills, and he projects as a second unit power play defenseman. He will deliver very good value to his team from his work in his own zone. - Hockey Prospectus ...plays the game of a puckmoving defenseman .. brings a nice combination of size and mobility – and still has plenty of room to strengthen his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame – in order to better handle the rougher North American game .. plays a calm and poised game .. always has his head up in order to keep track of where opponents and teammates are on the ice .. proficient at making a good first pass .. known for his on-ice leadership – and named captain of the Swiss under-18 team .. tends to overplay situations at times and will try and do too much in his own zone .. can be prone to giveaways, especially when under heavier pressure, as he will hold the puck longer in search of free space – instead of playing a pass to a mate .. made his National League A debut last season with the Kloten Flyers at the age of 16 – appearing in a total of seven games .. named to the 2013 U20 WJC-team of Switzerland – making his debut at the tournament. - McKeen's Hockey Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus: The defense pipeline is well-stocked in Columbus, but you can never have too much of a good thing. Mueller has instant chemistry with Murray, and the two would provide long-term stability on the back end. Mueller will be one of the top defenders chosen later this month, and if he's there when the Jackets' first pick comes along, he would be a great choice, even with the team's need for help up front. With David Savard looking less and less like an impact player, and with John Moore in Manhattan, the Jackets could use another big chip on defense.