CBJ Center Post

The Columbus Dispatch posted an article with all of the centers for the Blue Jackets. We have 10 men fighting for 4 positions. Also, End of the Bench has a Spotlight On: Centers.

1. Sergei Fedorov

It's a contract year; coaches hope to get him plugged in competitively.

2. Michael Peca

A shut-down center who will chew up lots of minutes and kill lots of penalties.

3. Dan Fritsche

Figures to get a shot on the No. 1 line during camp, but could fit as a winger, too.

4. Jiri Novotny

Could be set for a third-line job between Jason Chimera and Fritsche.

5. Manny Malhotra

Shows flashes but needs to throw his arms around a "checking center" role.

6. Gilbert Brule

He'll get a shot high in the lineup, but he could be destined for Syracuse.

7. Derick Brassard

Faces huge odds to make the club as a rookie, but he'll get a look.

8. Zenon Konopka

A fourth-line disturber in the Slapshot mold; brings it every night.

9. Kris Beech

Trying to reclaim his once-promising career; seems destined for Syracuse.

10. Geoff Platt

Life is not easy for undrafted free agents, but Platt's energy will get him a look.

The Jackets also posted an article on our Centers. Hitchcock apparently has the four centers penciled in. Top line will be Michael Peca, Sergei Fedorov, Manny Malhotra, and Jiri Novotny.

But here's the wrinkle. Early on in camp, the Blue Jackets will give Dan Fritsche, Gilbert Brule and Derick Brassard a look on one of the top two lines, likely letting them each play two of the first four exhibition games in such a role.

"We want to see if we can be dynamic offensively," Hitchcock said. "That's why we're going to experiment.

"Style is not as relevant as is the fact that we want players who are committed on both ends of the rink. We want players to compete hard."

If a young gun makes it, Fedorov can slide to the second line, between left winger Fredrik Modin and right winger Nikolai Zherdev, and Peca can give the Jackets a dynamic third line with Jason Chimera on his left and possibly Fritsche on his right.

I don't know who is going to be on the top line but, I know that Hitchcock will make the right decision. The lines and defensive pairings will be in tact coming out of training camp.

"I want to play the final two or three exhibition games knowing what we're going to do (with the lineup)," Hitchcock said.

I know this there are 39 days until the regular season and it can't come soon enough.

GO JACKETS!!

My Team...

I love my team. I really really do. This is something that has started becoming more and more clear to me every single day of this off season. I look at what some teams are doing or have done and I'm like ya know I'm glad I don't have to worry about that. Take Edmonton for example it started with trading Smyth, then trading the other Smith and Lupul, and now they are trying to take other teams players. I don't have to worry about spending too much on Free Agents (sorry Rangers fans) and I don't have to worry about paying Briere $10 million next year. My team has had three signings, not big names, not outrageous contracts, and at the draft we got some serious talent. With our signings we got Sheldon Brookbank, the AHL's best defenseman, Jan Hejda, who according to some guy in Edmonton If they signed Jan Hejda for $1 million, it might be the smartest free-agent signing of the summer so far. and with comments I have received, and blogs I have read Hejda will be great for the CBJ. We also signed Jiri Novotny, a center from the Czech Republic who has a lot of potential. (In case you're wondering we signed 2 Czech's and our first round draft pick is Czech). I have to say I am liking the new look of these Blue Jackets. As the season becomes closer and closer the more excited I get. I don't expect my boys to win the division but I do know that we will do better than we did last year. A full season with Hitch, a new General Manager who has been wonderful, and a few new key players to add to our line up. Anyway, the future is looking bright for the Blue Jackets...thanks to Mr. Howson, and Hitch.

Blue Jackets Sign Novotny

Jiri Novotny was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets today.

Novotny, 23, tallied 6-13-19 and 28 penalty minutes in 68 games as a rookie
in 2006-07, splitting the season between Buffalo and Washington. He notched
6-7-13 and 26 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Sabres and 0-6-6 and two
penalty minutes in 18 games after joining the Capitals on February 27 in a trade
that also sent a first round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft to Washington for
right wing Dainius Zubrus and defenseman Timo Helbling.

http://bluejackets.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=327095