Quick a bit of stuff has happened over the last few days, let’s get you up speed.
Josh Anderson Needs Surgery
Josh Anderson hurt his eye in a fight with Steve Oleksy during the first pre-season game against the Penguins. He cracked his orbital bone in that fight and will need surgery. He is expected to miss four weeks.
This is one of the risks when you play the type of game Anderson does. He’s a physical player who stands up for his teammates. I wish Josh all the best as he recovers.
Oleg Yevenko Signs
The mammoth 6’7 defencemen has been signed to a one year two-way deal by the Jackets. The team was impressed with his performance at the prospect tournament and in camp.
Yevenko is a grinder/enforcer type of defencemen. He spent the last four seasons playing in the NCAA for UMass where he put up just 10 points and 211 penalty minutes in 132 games.
The club signing Yevenko and not Dante Salituro is interesting as it shows some insight into the clubs valuation of players. The NHL really seems to be moving away from the big enforcers and going more towards skilled players who can move the puck. Signing Yevenko is a sign that perhaps Columbus is falling behind the curve on this. Remember they are one of the few teams who regularly ice an enforcer (Boll).
Bodog Odds
Whether you’re a gambler or not it’s always interesting to see what the odd makers think for the upcoming season. For the Jackets they have set the over under on team wins at 45, which would be three more than last season. I think I would bet the under on that, only because I expect the Blue Jackets to lose more games in overtime this season. Last year they lost just five games in OT which tied for the fewest in the league.
For players they have set the over/under for points as follows:
Nick Foligno – 63.5 Brandon Saad – 54.5 Ryan Johansen – 72.5
If I'm betting I would take the over on Saad and Johansen and the under on Foligno. Last year was obviously a career year for Foligno and I think he settles in around the 50 point mark. Part of the reason I see a Foligno point decline is the addition of Saad. Saad is expected to be a big part of the offense and he will get every opportunity to do so. He and Joey will be the go to guys on that top line leaving Foligno to be more responsible defensively.
Marko Dano Sent to AHL Rockford
We will end on some non-Blue Jackets news. One of the key pieces of the Brandon Saad deal, Marko Dano has not made the Blackhawks and has been sent down to the AHL. This is a very weird decision and was questioned by many. I personally thought Dano was a lock for Chicago’s top six.
This doesn’t change my thoughts on the trade, although in the short-term this makes the deal look a whole lot better from a Columbus standpoint.
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