I recently did a mock draft for this year's NHL Draft on a new Blue Jackets website called FireTheCannon.com (I wonder where that name came from? Also, for all of you that have emailed, tweeted, texted and smoke signaled me, no I am not leaving Hockeybuzz, just doing some guest writing from time to time). As it played out, I had the Blue Jackets selecting Jacob Josefson, a center from Djurgarden senior elite team.

Some have projected the CBJ going after a defenseman and that is never a bad thing to do but the center depth for the Blue Jackets is so thin that I don't think that Howson will have any choice but to go center with this pick. The Jackets don't have a 2nd round pick, so they have to make this one count. The other center prospects for the Blue Jackets in the organization are Kirill Starkov and Sean Collins. Uhmm, I guess it is time to address this and right now.

Josefson would be a good place to start. The Union Blue won't have to guess what they will get as he has been playing against men since he was 17. He is already use to playing against players that are bigger and stronger than him. You know the old saying, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!" That term should hold true for Josefson.

I also say "If your not cheating, your not trying...errr... I mean....If you can't beat them, then join them." One of the reasons that Detroit boat raced the Blue Jackets in the playoffs was due to the "Swede Pipeline." Josefsen has said that one of the players he models his game after is Henrik Zetterberg and it shows. Josefsen is considered to be a very good 2 way player already. He is ahead of the game in knowing his defensive responsibilities which should make Head Coach Ken Hitchcock smile! Josefsen told The Hockey News, “Twelve minutes a game against men is good, too. They’re smarter, stronger and faster. One little mistake can give them a goal.” Another part of Josefsen's game that will make Hitch happy is that he plays a physical style and won't shy away from the body.

Nicklas Backstrom, center from the Washington Capitals, might be a current player that would best give you an idea of what Josefsen would play like. Josefsen is a playmaker first and scorer second. Backstrom had 66 assists this year out of his 88 points and was a +16. There was even some rumors out last off season that the Blue Jackets were trying to trade for Backstrom so he is the type of player that the Blue Jacket organization likes.

Fire The Cannon!

Eric Smith
Eric.Smith@HockeyBuzz.com

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