CBJ Depth Chart

This was in the Dispatch this morning...but, you know how I like to take it and toss in my 2 cents. So here goes. I'm going to start with goaltenders because let's face it...they're the most important piece of the puzzle.

The Dispatch had in goal:

First ~ Pascal Leclaire
Second ~ Fredrik Norrena

Are you kidding me right now? What has Pascal Leclaire done to earn this number 1 position? He has been nothing but a band-aid for the Blue Jackets since we got him. He should be our back up hands down. Fredrik Norrena gave our team a chance to win every time he was in net and he has even stolen some games for us. I recall a few games when we were playing Nashville and were absolutely awful and Norrena stood on his head for our team we just couldn't get pucks in their net. Fredrik Norrena was the first goal tender in CBJ history to finish the season with a .500 or better season. Norrena had 55 games played that is 20th in the League and if he is capable of playing that much at the level he played last year then I say why not make him our number 1 goaltender. I know Leclaire for whatever reason seems to be a fan favorite but he needs to step up and prove himself. If, Leclaire proves himself this season it will only be because it is a contract year.

Defensive Pairs:

FIRST: Jan Hejda and Rostislav Klesla
SECOND: Adam Foote and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen
THIRD: Duvie Westcott and Ron Hainsey

*Backups: Sheldon Brookbank, Marc Methot, Kris Russell

Defense looks good to me considering. I hope that Sheldon Brookbank turns out to be an amazing signing for us. I hope that he gets some time in the big leagues to prove to us what he's got. Marc Methot I really hope continues to develop. He played decent for us last year so maybe soon he will be with the Jackets. Kris Russell is one of our 2005 draft picks that I don't know a lot about. So I can't really say anything about that kid...but my guess is that he's still young and needs time to develop.

Forward Lines:

FIRST: Rick Nash, Sergei Fedorov, David Vyborny
SECOND: Fredrik Modin, Alexander Svitov, Nikolai Zherdev
THIRD: Jason Chimera, Jiri Novotny, Dan Fritsche
FOURTH: Jody Shelley, Manny Malhotra, Curtis Glencross

*Backups: Derick Brassard, Gilbert Brule, Steven Goertzen, Zenon Konopka, Joakim Lindstrom, Geoff Platt

Our forwards are great. But, that center position is what gets us. That second line center is really up for anyone to get it. My guess is that Zherdev will do something to piss off Howson and will get traded but that is just a guess. I hope not because he has a ton of talent but last year he was a poison in the locker room and we don't need that. I love how Gilbert Brule is a backup though. The kid was supposed to give Malkin a run for his money with the Calder and he didn't do anything. Derick Brassard from what everyone is saying is playing some exceptional hockey so I wouldn't be surprised to see him come up and be great for the Jackets.

Well that's my team and my take on em...anyone have any other ideas.