Yesterday, the Blue Jackets held their annual media day to kick off the media season for the hockey club. What was evident from the day was there is a bit of a collective swagger with the team due to the new additions but also added pressure to win now.
"I think their definitely is (urgency to win now)," general manager Scott Howson said. "(Majority owner) John P. McConnell stepped up in a big way here to increase payroll and at the root of it all is that we have a franchise player in Rick Nash that just turned 27 in June. He's entering his prime now."
With all the additions that include Jeff Carter, James Wisniewski, Vinny Prospal and Radek Martinek, there is no secret that the success of this season starts and ends between the pipes and Steve Mason.
"With the expectations placed on the club because of the moves that we made, for myself the pressure is going to be there and it's something that I'm looking forward to," Mason stated. "Going into my fourth year, no matter how well or poorly they have gone, you gain a lot of experience through each season and I think you will see a lot more patience in the game and I think that just comes with the experience of playing in the league."
No one will argue that the Jackets are a far more talented team than before. The arguement is with the national media on whether it's enough. Part of that goes with the past reputation of the organization and the rest is the lack in the belief of whether Mason can turn his game around.
If Mason even becomes average this season, a lot of those national media members will be asking for barbeque sauce as they will have to eat some crow.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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