Glen Miller: State of the Organization: Defense

Expect more of the same next season from the longest-tenured Blue Jacket (tied with R.J. Umberger).
- Glen Miller

I think that'd be Jared Boll, actually, 2007-2008. And Dorsett played in 2008-2008, the year R.J and Fedor arrived.

The defense is much better than it was back then

Glen Miller: State of the Organization: Defense
- Glen Miller

I hope Keka resign's Gouloubeef, I mean having Erixson ,Savard and Gouloubeef fighting for a 7th spot is a luxury not alot of teams have .

As for next season the upcoming lines should look like this:

Johnson-Tyutin
Prout-Nikitin
Wiznewsky-Murray

And I agree, Prout was this years Nikitin, he came out of nowhere and prouved to be a serviceable shutdown guy with Nikitin.

Wiz is one of the more under rated d men in the league
Grit and skill , I loved him when he was on the isles

I think that'd be Jared Boll, actually, 2007-2008. And Dorsett played in 2008-2008, the year R.J and Fedor arrived.

The defense is much better than it was back then
- jugkope

You are 100% right and I've noted that in the blog now. Thanks for catching that. Ashamed to admit I forgot about Boll.

I hope Keka resign's Gouloubeef, I mean having Erixson ,Savard and Gouloubeef fighting for a 7th spot is a luxury not alot of teams have .

As for next season the upcoming lines should look like this:

Johnson-Tyutin
Prout-Nikitin
Wiznewsky-Murray

And I agree, Prout was this years Nikitin, he came out of nowhere and prouved to be a serviceable shutdown guy with Nikitin.
- Alexzanki

What do you do with Erixon then. I thought at times he was the best defenseman on the team and he is a terrific skater and puck mover. I could see him developing into a steady, two-way player. Perhaps they look to make a trade or otherwise a solid player will be a healthy scratch.

Glen Miller: State of the Organization: Defense
- Glen Miller

Depending on camps, Goloubef, Murray and Savard may be ready to make the jump. Tyutin, Johnson and Wiesnewski have top 4 spots with their names on it.

Any chance they move Nikitin? A team like Edmonton might be interested. A deal with Nikitin and Hemsky as the players, and everything from pick/prospects, or swapping 1sts as potential sweeteners?

EDIT: and I totally forgot about Erixon! all the more reason to turn Nikitin into a more useable asset

You are 100% right and I've noted that in the blog now. Thanks for catching that. Ashamed to admit I forgot about Boll.
- Glen Miller

Maybe Keka forgets him too and he signs with the Yotes?

Wiz is one of the more under rated d men in the league
Grit and skill , I loved him when he was on the isles
- Danformo

I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not. The only thing anyone remembers from Wiz's time on Long Island was his demonstration on how to brush your back molors to Sean Avery.

What do you do with Erixon then. I thought at times he was the best defenseman on the team and he is a terrific skater and puck mover. I could see him developing into a steady, two-way player. Perhaps they look to make a trade or otherwise a solid player will be a healthy scratch.
- Glen Miller

Well I guess the rational move would be to leave Murray in the minors and let him developpe on that lost year due to injury , because on the scale of puck moving defensman I place Erixson behind Johnson,Wiz and yes probably Murray , I also doubt he could play that physical game like Tyutin, Nikitin and yes probably Prout.

EDIT

Dont get me wrong, this is a good problem to have

Glen Miller: State of the Organization: Defense
- Glen Miller

Columbus wasn't an easy team to play against and with a much stronger front office, this team will continue to rise. I see them making some deals with the Blues again and wouldn't be surprised if Shattenkirk ends up with the jackets. They're a bit like the preds were 5-6 years ago and need a couple more star players, like Gaborik (paul kariya), to get fans back.

Depending on camps, Goloubef, Murray and Savard may be ready to make the jump. Tyutin, Johnson and Wiesnewski have top 4 spots with their names on it.

Any chance they move Nikitin? A team like Edmonton might be interested. A deal with Nikitin and Hemsky as the players, and everything from pick/prospects, or swapping 1sts as potential sweeteners?

EDIT: and I totally forgot about Erixon! all the more reason to turn Nikitin into a more useable asset
- Morris

No way Nikitin gets moved. His Salary is on the cheap compared to the others. Sure would be nice to see Murray get a full year in the minors. Savard is moveable with the emergence of Prout.

No way Nikitin gets moved. His Salary is on the cheap compared to the others. Sure would be nice to see Murray get a full year in the minors. Savard is moveable with the emergence of Prout.
- shawno

wasn't he in the doghouse for most of this year though? Is he likely to be extended?

wasn't he in the doghouse for most of this year though? Is he likely to be extended?
- Morris

Who Nikitin?

If so it was due to injury.

wasn't he in the doghouse for most of this year though? Is he likely to be extended?
- Morris

He certainly played much worse than he did a year ago, so bad that he was pulled off Tyutin's line. If the CBJ management team thinks Murray is ready for the NHL next year I could easily see Nikitin being the odd man out on defense. JD was the president in St Louis when he was traded to the CBJ. If the Jackets want to try to move up in the draft I could easily see Nikitin being part of a package (with picks) to move up.

Columbus wasn't an easy team to play against and with a much stronger front office, this team will continue to rise. I see them making some deals with the Blues again and wouldn't be surprised if Shattenkirk ends up with the jackets. They're a bit like the preds were 5-6 years ago and need a couple more star players, like Gaborik (paul kariya), to get fans back.
- therealagent

I wouldn't be thinking Shattenkirk.........but Ian Cole is a very good possibility. Jarmo drafted him and drooled over him as a Blues prospect. He hasn't been able to crack the lineup on a regular basis yet, and it might be tough with the JayBo and Leopold trades (if the Blues re-sign Leopold). I'm not sure if the Blues would move him, but I would be shocked if Jarmo hasn't made a call about Cole.