The Jacketsblog: An Unofficial Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

A quick summary of the Blue Jackets picks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft:

John Moore, Defense, 6’2″, 189lbs, Shoots Left, here’s the NHL’s video on the CBJ’s 21st overall pick:

Hockey’s future has this to say:

A slick-skating defenseman with tons up offensive upside. Can get to top speed rather quickly and stickhandle with efficiency. Has a solid first pass when he’s not leading the rush. Has a quick and accurate release from the backend. Likes to shoot and prefers to slide into the high slot and pull the trigger. He activates off the point a lot, especially on the powerplay. Gets the puck on and off his stick quickly.

Everything I have read about this kid only points to good things for the future of the organization. Moore was one of four defenseman drafted by the Blue Jackets this weekend. This is a relatively obvious attempt to insure a strong pipeline of defensemen as the current young core matures, I believe that the guidance and management of GM Scott Howson will continue to pay off, and we will see even more of that when free agency begins in a few days. Here’s a quick look at the remainder of the CBJ’s picks.

Kevin Lynch, Center, 6’1″, 190lbs, Shoots Right

There isn’t too much information out there about Lynch, some believe he was a reach at the 56th overall pick as he was the 100th ranked North American Skater.

David Savard, Defense, 6’2″, 200lbs, Shoots Right

Another potential offensive threat on the back end, also with some size. The scouting report says that the play in his own end is a weak point in his play, which will surely improve in the system especially Hitch at the helm.

Thomas Larkin, Defense, 6’5″, 205lbs, Shoots Right

As GMSH said during the “Breakfast with the Blue Jackets” Program today, a lot of the later rounds are used to obtain players with size, and this guy has it. As the picks go on, the information becomes harder and harder to come by, but like all of the men drafted this weekend, we won’t know what it all means for 3-5 years.

Anton Blomqvist, Defense, 6’4″, 189lbs, Shoots Left

Reminds scouts of Niklas Kronwall, could pan out to be a great pick in a late round.

Kyle Neuber, Right Wing, 6’2″, 220lbs, Shoots Left

Here’s all you really need to know at this point:

Look for free agency news coming soon, hopefully Rick Nash signing among other news.

Congratulations go out to the Blue Jackets own Goaltender Steve Mason and Captain Rick Nash. While Nash was on vacation in Europe, last night he “took home” the 2009 NHL Foundation Award going to the player who best applies the core values of hockey to his community. Steve Mason then took home the Calder Trophy, and it wasn’t even close:

2008-2009 Calder Trophy Voting

Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th)

1. Steve Mason, CBJ 1268 (121-6-2-2-0)

2. Bobby Ryan, ANA 829 (9-84-24-9-4)

3. Kris Versteeg, CHI 323 (1-8-26-35-22)

4. Pekka Rinne, NSH 319 (0-15-34-9-17)

5. Drew Doughty, L.A. 303 (0-14-22-26-17)

Mirtle has a great break down of the voting for the awards here and here.

Mason is the first Blue Jacket to take home the Rookie of the Year honor and joins current NHL standouts such as Patrick Kane, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Dany Heatley, and Evgeni Nabokov, among many other former NHLers. One of the cooler things about being able to see the full list of voting is this:

2008-2009 Hart Trophy Voting

Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th)

1. Alex Ovechkin, WSH 1264 (115-14-2-2-0)

2. Evgeni Malkin, PIT 787 (12-71-27-9-8)

3. Pavel Datsyuk, DET 404 (4-14-38-19-19)

4. Steve Mason, CBJ 266 (0-13-21-18-16)

5. Zach Parise, N.J. 257 (0-5-20-31-29)

6. Sidney Crosby, PIT 103 (0-3-5-13-18)

Yes Steve Mason beat out the savior himself, Sidney Crosby. Yes I know, Crosby has a cup and we don’t yada yada, but this result was probably more of a result that Malkin and Crosby take away some votes from each other. Another nice to see final result:

2008-2009 Jack Adams Award Voting

Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd)

1. Claude Julien, BOS 224 (35-14-7)

2. Andy Murray, STL 135 (15-17-9)

3. Todd McLellan, S.J. 98 (9-14-11)

4. Ken Hitchcock, CBJ 69 (5-9-17)

Personally I think that Hitch deserved to finish higher than 4th, especially with the President’s Trophy winning Sharks falling in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That leads me to a quick tangent, that the 08-09 Jackets pretty much limped into the playoffs where as the previous season they collapsed right after the All-Star weekend. If the timing of the team pretty much running out of gas is going farther and farther into the season, it is only a matter of time before the Jackets are making a push for many more post season honors.