Mixed emotions had to be going through Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson last night as his team destroyed the San Jose Sharks 6-3 in front of 14,625 at Nationwide Arena Tuesday night. What Howson envisioned in the off season took 60 games to come to fruition right before he most likely will blow it up.
In Jeff Carter's 500th NHL game he lit the lamp three times and the hats flew down on the ice at the same time as the scouts in attendance where calling their respective teams letting them know what Carter could do for their team's if they got him in a trade.
“I don’t have any say in that,” said Carter “I can’t worry about the rumors and what’s going on.”
Even with all the rumors swirling, it still comes down to its a game the big boys play and the feelings of joy of doing well still comes through.
“It's always nice to have a hat-trick especially at home in front of your fans. It obviously was a good feeling.”
Scouts from Vancouver, Ottawa, Pittsburgh (2), NY Rangers, Montreal, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Detroit all were in attendance at Nationwide Arena to see the display put on by both Carter and Rick Nash who had a goal and an assist on the Carter hat trick goal on a very unselfish play.
Aaron Portzline from the Dispatch reported that the Blue Jackets had scouts in attendance at both Toronto and Montreal.
Not to be out done by anyone, R.J. Umberger recorded a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” in the first period against the Sharks.
“Where’s it been all year?” Umberger stated the obvious when helping a reporter finish off his question. “It’s what we envisioned at the start of the season, and it hasn’t worked out that way. Confidence has a lot to do with it. Tonight, we got it early in the game.”
On most nights Howson had to look at the heavens and ask 'why is this happening?' Tonight he might have asked the question again but added 'now.' to the question.”
On the other side he had to be grinning like the cat that just ate the canary with all the scouts in attendance, the deadline quickly approaching and the desperation of teams on the rise; performances by the players that are sure to give him the most return just made it easier to ask for the moon. Now, teams might be a little less hesitant to give up those players Howson wants after seeing what the likes of Nash and Carter can do.
Connecting the Dots – If you want to play connect the dots with the scouts in attendance here is my best guess:
Vancouver – Rick Nash and Jeff Carter
Ottawa – Jeff Carter
Pittsburgh- Antoine Vermette and Sammy Pahlsson
NY Rangers – Rick Nash
Montreal – this one is interesting since they seem to be sellers but the CBJ were scouting them last night too. Derick Brassard has always been linked at going there but that is a wild guess
Los Angeles- Jeff Carter and Rick Nash
Phoenix – game scouting most likely
Detroit – game scouting but maybe sniffing around Sammy Pahlsson.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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