Fresh Faces Look To Boost Columbus Into A Playoff Position

Club: Columbus Blue Jackets
Fantasy Impact Rating: Lukewarm

Superstars: Rick Nash
Big Producers: None
Mid-Level Flyers: Raffi Torres
Rookies/Prospects: Jakub Voracek, Nikita Filatov, Derick Brassard
Sleepers: R.J. Umberger, Kristian Huselius
Avoid the Hype: Fredrik Modin, Jason Chimera, Michael Peca

Analysis:
They may not have the fantasy luster of some of the teams around the league, but the prospects alone will help the Columbus Blue Jackets come into their own over the next couple of seasons and starting this year, there should be a few names to make yourself familiar with before you head into your draft.

First and foremost, when we think of the Jackets, Rick Nash is the first thing that comes to mind. Nash is an absolutely disgusting talent that will be the staple of this franchise for years to come. He notched 38 goals and added 31 helpers last season and continues to get better with each season. Have no reservations about making him your top winger. He’s on a team that will turning some heads this season and will most certainly be gone by the 2nd round of a 12 manager draft.

Centering Nash this year is former Philadelphia Flyer R.J. Umberger. Umberger joins the Jackets coming off of a fairly solid year. For a player that was buried in the deep talent pool that are the Philadelphia Flyers, Umberger managed to hit the 50 point mark last season and has the potential to exceed that this season. Current rankings have Umberger way down on the list because of the depth at the center position, so consider him a deep sleeper in this year’s draft, and if you’re savvy enough to land him, you very well may be able to slide him in to your 3rd or 4th line center slot.

Also joining Nash and Umberger on the top line is former Calgary Flame Kristian Huselius. Huselius is also a bit of a sleeper coming into this season as well and also has the potential to exceed the 50 point mark once again. He certainly won’t be feeding off of Iginla like he did in Calgary, but he is in some dynamite company and if drafted properly, could be used as a 3rd option at left wing. Expect a 50+ point total this season.

Raffi Torres will also join the Jackets this campaign to try and offer some depth at left wing. Torres certainly has the talent to put up some solid number in the NHL, but after a couple of down seasons with Edmonton, people are beginning to speculate whether that is still true or not. Torres has the opportunity to play with some real up and coming talent and it may provide the spark that he needs to get his game back on track. Consider Torres as a 4th option at left wing in deeper leagues to start the season but keep an eye on who Hitchcock puts him with once we get going here and see if he gels with some of the rookies trying to make a splash this year.

Now, with all the new faces making their way into Columbus’ starting lineup, there are some older faces that you may need to overlook this season to avoid getting burned. Freddy Modin is a very streaky player who is extremely prone to injury. Modin put up respectable numbers in Tampa Bay during the heyday of his career, but has trailed off because of those injuries ever since he arrived in Ohio. Modin is slotted as their 2nd line left winger as of right now, but could feel pressure from Torres if he begins to play well, or if he catches another injury. You’re better off not taking a chance on Modin, and looking elsewhere for production. Michael Peca will join Modin on the 2nd line and is almost in a similar situation. Peca has succumbed to injuries over his career and it seems like his days in the NHL may be winding down here shortly. With the depth at the center position, there are much safer, more productive options than Michael Peca, and should only be considered in the very deepest of leagues, or as a short term stopgap center. Finally, for those of you who have used Jason Chimera in seasons past as a low end flyer who gets penalty minutes, you may want to make other arrangements this season. Chimera is being shuffled back to the 4th line and shouldn’t be considered in any fantasy format to start the season.

With all these injury prone players and mediocre talent comes the opportunity for rookies to make their mark in Columbus this season. Jakub Voracek and Nikita Filatov both should be on the starting roster of the Jackets this fall, and possess the talent to hit the 50 point plateau this season. Voracek is a phenomenal talent that has all the makings of top line right winger. He dominated European and Canadian leagues and should make a splash in Columbus this year. If your league is a deeper one that allows you to consider rookies and prospects without passing up on more defined players, Voracek should be near the top of your list. If Nikita Filatov impresses at camp this fall, it could mean a spot on the roster and a chance to showcase his phenomenal talent. Filatov has put up unreal numbers with CSKA Moscow and could benefit from a team that will allow significant movement up and down the depth chart. Before you pull the trigger on him, make sure that he has made the roster and that you have sufficient production players in front of him before you rely too heavily on him early on. Derick Brassard will also have to earn a starting spot this fall, and his credentials, it should give the Jackets a reason to celebrate. Brassard is a quick, playmaker who has put up dynamite numbers with Drummondville. Because of the lack of center depth on Columbus, Brassard could easily make a statement in camp and may work his way up to the 2nd line. He easily has the capability of being a number one center at some point in his career and if he clicks with Nash, and eventually Voracek, it could make for one sick first line. Treat him like Filatov: make sure he is there before you go pulling the trigger.

Goaltending:
Situation: Solid
Grade: B
1. Pascal Leclaire
2. Fredrik Norrena

Pascal Leclaire made a statement in the National Hockey League last year with his 9 shutout performances and with a continually improving team around him, his numbers will likely improve this year. While he’s still another season or so away from becoming a number one tender on your fantasy roster, he’s a fantastic 2nd option and should be able to maintain the starting job this year. He may drop a bit in the draft because Columbus players are often overlooked, so use this to your advantage.

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