The Blue Jackets acquired Jeff Carter to be the center alongside Rick Nash to set up a dynamic duo. The duo has already help score this off season as they added Scott Howson and the Blue Jackets score James Wisniewski to their defensive corp. Howson stated that not only Nash but also Carter picked up the phone and called Wisniewski in attempts of recruiting him to Columbus.
"Jeff Carter definitely helped James Wisniewski, there's absolutely no doubt about that," Howson stated. "I think James will tell you that when you talk to him."
Wisniewski pulled no punches and was clear that having Carter in the fold was a big part of deciding to come to the Blue Jackets.
"After they traded for my rights and seeing the trade with Jeff Carter, I had a feeling after talking with Scott Howson, their on the right path and they have the green light to change the organization around," Wisniewski said in a conference call.
Having Carter with the organization not only has helped lure free agents or soon to be free agents into signing but has had an effect throughout the organization.
"I think the Jeff Carter trade has energized everyone in our organization including the fans and just importantly the players," Howson explained. "The players see what is going on. The players outside of Columbus see what's going on. We still have to do it on the ice but I think it's given us such a positive jolt and spurring everyone on that were going in the right direction and we have a legitimate chance to get where we want to go."
Where they want to go is to get back to the playoffs. To do that, one of the areas that needs to improve is the power play which has been a thorn in the side of the organization almost since it's inception. Last year they ranked 29th in the league at 14 percent. Wisniewski feels that should change after the thought of Nash, Carter, Umberger and himself were discussed with him lining up together on the man advantage.
"You would hope so (have a special power play) with those names your throwing around," Wisniewski stated. "If not, there's something wrong."
Howson is also looking forward to having those players playing together for the foreseeable future as Nash, Carter and Wisniewski are all signed for a least the next six years.
"We have to have success here," Howson stated clearly. "Certainly now we have Rick (Nash) and Jeff (Carter) and James (Wisniewski) all in the prime of their careers. They are all 26 or 27 signed long term. If they do what we think their going to do, that's going to give us success.
Wisniewski said, "he likes poker but he's not that much of a gambler," explaining why he didn't wait for free agency. Scott Howson isn't a gambler either and even though his recent actions have been as he stated "out of my comfort zone for sure," he knows there are still more holes to fill.
With a clear feeling of urgency from ownership and statements from them that it's time to win, don't expect for Howson to just sit on his hands.
"I think there was more urgency from ownership," Howson said. They also told him, "We've seen this movie before, let's do something about it. If this is what it's going to take, than let's do it."
Do it he has done and he hopes to add another defenseman to challenge for a top 4 spot to help round out the lineup but with the additions of Carter and Wisniewski, there's a new upbeat attitude and outlook at Nationwide Arena.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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