Have you ever wanted to hang around a person and you really don't know why? If you look back, I'll bet it's because that person has a positive outlook that becomes infectious. That's Antoine Vermette for the Blue Jackets. While the team goes through a season that has been nothing short of a catastrophic disappointment at the same time the organization is bleeding money with no solution easily at hand to change it, Vermette continues to stay positive.
After the Blue Jackets' last game where the Los Angeles Kings beat the uninspired union blue 4-1, Vermette wouldn't alter his mindset.
When asked about the ineffectiveness of the top line that only registered 3 shots on goal between Rick Nash, Kristian Huselius and Vermette , Vermette answered in his usual way. "Sometimes you just have to keep doing it (offensive pressure) and eventually you go get the puck on your stick, eventually it happens (score goals)."
Well it happened for Vermette as he registered the only goal but little else did for the line that is to lead the way for the Blue Jackets.
The positive attitude isn't the only thing that draws the Blue Jacket faithful to Vermette. His play on the ice has been the most consistent of any player for Columbus and Head Coach Ken Hitchcock has him doing everything. He is a constant on the power play as well as the penalty kill. The biggest reason is because he is an elite face off center in the NHL. Vermette has the 4th most draws in the league with 1071 circle battles. The reason for so many is because he is very effective with a 54.6% win percentage which ranks him 14th in the league. What makes it so impressive is that Hitch rolls him out there against every team's best face off guys. Vermette has the 2nd most even strength face off wins in the NHL only trailing Sidney Crosby and he isn't doing this against 3rd and 4th line grinders.
Vermette is much more than a face off guy, if that was all he was the Blue Jackets would have kept Manny Malhotra. No, Vermette has offense in his game and he is on track to have a career year. With his 17th goal against the Kings, he has surpassed all of last year's goal total of 16 and is on pace to best his 06/07 total of 24 he had with the Ottawa Senators as well as the point total from that year of 53.
Vermette is quietly having a very solid season as he ranks 3rd on the team in goals, assists (25) and points (42). Some have come to question some of GM Scott Howson signings this summer and extending players with long term contracts. No one is questioning the September 15th, 2009 signing that will keep Vermette with the CBJ until the 2014/2015 season.
Obviously this season's hopes of a playoff visit are long gone but Vermette continues to bring effort and persistence every night and is showing the younger skilled players what it takes and what effort is needed every night to be successful. Vermette can be instrumental in the development of Derick Brassard specifically. Both are going to be counted on in the next several years if the Blue Jackets don't want to have a repeat of this season.
Pens Looking To Pen A Deal?
Nothing specific right now other than the Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant General Manager Jason Botterill was in attendance and the Penguins have has scouts camping out at Nationwide Arena for awhile. I also know from sources that the Blue Jackets have done the same and have been seen at the last several Penguins games. Reading the tea leaves, something is brewing and their is little doubt that they would be looking at Raffi Torres. Even though the Penguins only have roughly $1 million in cap room as they sit now, with the prorating the cap hit of $2.25 million of Torres contract at the deadline would only put a hit of $500,000 to the Penguins. Don't have any other information at this point of what could be coming back but with scouts being at the big club games, makes me think that a roster player and not a prospect. I will keep my ear to the ground on this one.
Also, the Washington Capitals had 3 scouts in attendance also and we already know that the CBJ and Caps know how to put a deal together.
Fire The Cannon!
Eric Smith
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