Interested in which Jackets (well those that are left post-deadline) are having career year's statistically this season? Let's take a look with some of my own thoughts included as well:
RICK NASH
Current: 66gp 28g 29a 57p -8
On Pace: 80gp 33g 35a 68p -10
After a fast start Nash has really cooled off. He's on pace to finish 11 points under his career high total of 79p last season. Quite frankly for a player who is making 7mil this season and will average 7.8 over the next 8 that production is not NEARLY good enough or acceptable. I'm tired of hearing the excuses that he needs this or that player to be successful - if you want paid like a top player in the league then you need to produce like a top player and make those around you better instead of vice versa. It's time to take the kids gloves off with 61 and demand more.
KRISTIAN HUSELIUS
Current: 61gp 18g 31a 49p -10
On Pace: 22gp 28a 60p -13
For all the grief and frustration Huselius can generate from his turnovers, lack of physical play and pension to pass rather than shoot - the fact of the matter is 'Juice' is on pace to score 4 more points than he did in his first season as a Jacket. He's not quite to his Calgary levels where he averaged 71 points in his two full seasons there but it will be his 3rd highest scoring season of his career. I'd say that Juice is giving about what is expected of him when the Jackets signed him. Still not worth the 4 mil the Jackets are paying but look at it this way - for 3 less mil he's producing 8 points less than the "franchise".
ANTOINE VERMETTE
Current: 68gp 21g 31a 52p -5
On pace: 25g 37a 62p -7
If there is one player Jackets fans should feel real good about this season it is 27 year old Antoine Vermette. With one more point Vermette will match his career high set with the high flying 2007-2008 Ottawa Senators squad. That goal should easily be reached with 14 games left in the season. It's refreshing to see a player like Vermette sign a big contact and then go out and have a career season. This is really his first season as a full time center and he's delivered. He's probably playing one line too high in the lineup but I've been especially impressed with his durability and willingness to go into the "hard" areas of the ice to make a play. It's not inconceivable that he could finish above Nash for the team scoring lead - especially with 61 out injured. This is one trade/sign that has worked out very well for GM Scott Howson.
RJ UMBERGER
Current: 68gp 20g 25a 45p -15
On pace: 82gp 24g 30p 54p -19
Right on Vermette's coat tails as a player fans should feel real good about is RJ Umberger. Umberger is also on pace to set a career high in points. He'll need 6 more over the next 14 games to break the 50 point mark he set back in with Philly in the 2007-2008 season. It's possible he could set a career high in goals but he'll need 7 more to break the 26 he potted last year as a Jacket. He'll need to get real hot to do that. Like Vermette, the 27 year old Umberger has delivered in his role and if interviews are any indication - has really seemed to become the "voice" of the state of the Jackets. He's also proven to be the Jackets "ironman" as he's on pace to play in every game again this season - the only player to do so. Considering the physical brand of hockey he plays and the beating he takes in front of the cage - that really speaks to his durability.
JAKE VORACEK
Current: 67gp 10g 29a 39p -8
On pace: 81gp 12a 35p 47p -10
It's been an up and down season for the Jake. The good news is he's passed his point total of 38 from his rookie season a year ago. The bad news is like all of the Jackets sophomores, more was expected. Voracek seems to have broken loose and has found his game after Hitch was fired. He's creating more and skating better. There is a lot expected from Voracek and next year will be a key season for him. He needs a solid offseason of conditioning and don't be surprised if Howson doesn't extend him this summer similar to what he did with Brassard last year.
DERICK BRASSARD
Current: 65gp 8g 21a 29p -16
On pace: 79gp 9g 25a 34p -20
I'm a big fan of Brassard but even his biggest fans have to admit that this season has been a TREMENDOUS disappointment for the 22 year old. He's passed last season's point total of 25 points but remember he put that up in just 31 games before going down with a season ending injury. He also has the worst +/- on the team. There have been many times this season when Brass was just simply pushed out of the game. He has really struggled creating offense and his size and strength, especially down low against bigger and stronger players, has been exploited. More than any other player, Brass must put in a lot of hours in the weight room and somehow find that spark and offensive flair that had him in contention for the Calder trophy before his injury last season.
SAMUEL PHALSSON
Current: 65gp 2g 9a 11p -6
On pace: 2g 10a 12p -8
To say Sammy Phalsson has had a good season is like saying Jason Chimera has more than one break-away move. It just isn't true. He's on pace to have his worst season statistically as a pro. Phalsson was brought in to be a 3rd line shutdown center. He has never been known for his offensive play. But 2 goals for a guy who makes 2.65 million and get's the amount of ice time he does? I never thought I'd say this but give me Manny any day over this Sammy. Heck Mike Peca even found a way to score 4g, 18a for 22p last season in his limited role. To be honest I haven't even been blown away by this guy's defensive play. Granted he can't do everything but this team is 4th worst in goal against in the league and he's supposed to be an elite shutdown guy. It isn't often anyone on this squad has shutdown anything the opposition has thrown at them including Pahlsson. There is one stat that does surprise me about Phalsson - he leads the team in hits with 120 and I think overall he's played better under Noel. I expect a lot more out of Sammy next year... at both ends of the ice.
DERICK DORSETT
Current: 37gp 4g 5a 9a +5
On pace: 51gp 5g 6a 11p +6
Dorsett has had his problems staying in the lineup this season mostly do to his kamikaze style of play. As a role/energy player, when in the lineup, it's hard not to be satisfied with what Dorsett brings to this lineup. Rarely is he not noticeable on the ice. Rarely does he not pay the price to try to score goals, bring energy or protect his teammates. Statistically he's already passed his point total of 5 last season in 15 less games. He's also matched his 4 goal total from that season. For his price and role I've been very satisfied with his production. My biggest concern is keeping him in the lineup.
JARED BOLL
Current: 63gp 4g 2a 6p -7
On pace: 4g 2a 6p -9
Boll is judged more for his fists and energy than his points. In terms of his fists he is tied for 5th in the league with 19 fights. In terms of his points he slated to finish with 11 less points than last season. The team will never expect to get much offensively from a player like Boll but even with his lowered expectations but 6 points is a disappointment. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Boll this offseason as he'll be a RFA. I think a lot of his future will depend on if the org believes a player like Tom Sestito is ready or if they choose to bring in a legit heavyweight.
ANDREW MURRAY
Current: 34gp 2a 2p 4p -7
On pace: 48gp 2a 2p 4p -10
Murray is another one of those role/depth players for the Jackets. His season has been underwhelming at best which has led to many healthy scratches. He's played better of late under Noel but for the majority of the year he's been mostly a body out there as opposed to making any kind of real contribution in any facet of the game.
FEDOR TYUTIN
Current: 66gp 5g 24a 29p -12
On pace: 6p 29a 35p -15
Believe it or not Tyutin is actually on pace to surpass his career high from last season by 1 single point. More was expected however so I'd classify this season as "so-so" for him - especially on the defensive end. I think Tyutin is delivering about all you can expect from a player with his ability. The bottom line is the Jackets are playing him like a #1 dman when in fact he slots much better as a 3/4 guy. The fact that he leads all Jackets in average ice time with over 23 min lends itself to that point. The next closest Jacket is Hejda with just over 20 mins per game.
JAN HEJDA
Current: 60gp 3g 10a 13p -13
On pace: 74gp 3g 12a 15p -17
Am I reading that correct? A -13! For a guy who has finished a combined +43 in the past two season that number is alarming. Hejda, like many of this teammates, has had his share of struggles this season. Offensively he's on pace to finish 8 points under last year's career high. A theme you will start to see as I work my way though the defensemen is that the Jackets just have too many "Hejdas" types in the lineup - they need more offensive production from the blueline.
MIKE COMMODORE
Current: 43gp 0g 9a 9p -9
On pace: 57gp 0g 11a 11p -12
There has been a lot of "bad" in the Jackets this season but I'm not sure you can't get much more "bad" than Mike Commodore's disaster of a year. Nothing has gone right for "big red" which is a big disappointment considering this solid play he had the year before. He's on pace for his worst year statistically as a pro. A lot has been stated about his conditioning program this offseason but I'm not buying that story in it's entirety. Commodore has a lot of re-focusing to do in the offseason if he hopes to return to his 2008-2009 form.
KRIS RUSSELL
Current: 58gp 6g 14a 20p -5
On pace: 72gp 7g 17a 24p -7
Russell is on pace to break his career point total of 21 set last season. He should have no problem getting two points over the final 14 games. I would put him up there with Vermette and Umberger in terms of players that have delivered on expectations this season. The one area I think Russell has really improved on is his confidence with the puck and using his wheels to transport it. I think the future is really bright with this kid as long as Howson brings in a coach who will encourage him to use his strengths. The Jackets really need Russell to raise his game another level next season and put even more points on the board. As I'm sure he hears every offseason - more strength will only help him battle the big guys down low.
ANTON STRALMAN
Current: 60gp 6g 24a 30p -15
On pace: 74gp 7g 29a 36p -19
Stralman has already shattered his career high point total of 13 set last year with the Maple Leafs. Having 30 points with 14 games left can only be judged a rousing success offensively. Defensively there is still a lot of work to be done as his -15 rating speaks towards. Keep in mind Stralman is only 23 and this is his first full season as an NHLer so there is plenty of time to improve that part of his game. I would like to see him use that one time shot of his more often as well. To get him for only a 3rd round pick looks like highway robbery. It will be interesting to see what happens with Stralman as he'll be an RFA this offseason. As good of a pickup as he's been he isn't a #1 guy and could be trade bait to bring in that ever elusive #1 dman.
RUSTY KLESLA
Current: 26gp 2g 6a 8p -7
On pace: 40gp 3g 9a 12p -11
I think we can officially scratch any future production from Klesla this season as it looks like his season is over. With only 26 games played there is only one way to describe his season - disappointing (seems to be a re-occurring theme eh?). At this point I think everyone has to question Scott Howson decision to extend this guy and one has to think Hitch played a "heavy" role in this decision. At just under 3 mil for the next 4 seasons one can only hope this contract is "tradeable". Again just too many players of this ilk making too much money on the Jackets blueline.
MARC METHOT
Current: 46gp 1g 4a 5p -13
On pace: 60gp 1g 5a 6p -17
Offensively Methot isn't even close to matching last year's 17 points offensive output. In fact it hasn't been much of a season at all for Methot until Hitch was canned and Noel started using him more. The good news is that defensively he's responded -- offensively..? not so much. At his price tag he's attractive and could make similar style players in Klesla, Commodore or Hejda expendable -- if they can move those contracts. Again another redundant player on the Jackets blueline - albeit at a much more manageable price tag.
STEVE MASON
Current: 47gp 16W 21L 3.15 GAA .897 Save%
On pact: 57gp 19W 25L 3.15 GAA .897 Save%
Steve Mason has re-invented the phrase "sophomore slump". His season has been a nightmare that would scare Freddy Krueger. One can only hope he can put this year behind him because if he wants to have a long productive career in the NHL that is exactly what he's going to have to do. Mase will be eligible to re-sign this offseason but my guess is both parties hold off until next year until they see which Mason is the "real" one.
MATHIEU GARON
Current: 31gp 11W 9L 2.78 GAA .905 Save%
On pace: 37gp 13W 10L 2.78 GAA .905 Save%
Garon has done everything any reasonable fan could hope from a backup goatlender. In fact I think part of the Jackets problem this season was that they forced starts on Mason instead of sticking with the hotter guy in Garon. Bottom line is Garon has played well on most nights and has been the Jackets best goaltender this season.
After reviewing these players it's even more clear that the Jackets do not get enough scoring from their top end guys. They are NEVER going to get anywhere with their leading scorers not even cracking the 70 point plateau. They have an overload of "defending" defensemen on their blueline that take up too much of their budget. Those are areas that must change starting with more pressure on their 7.8 million dollar per year captain to produce along with significant change on their blueline.
The Jackets had too few players play at or above expectations (Vermette, Umberger, Russell, Stralman, Dorsett, Garon), too many underperform (Nash, Brassard, Voracek, Commodore, Hejda, Klesla, Pahlsson, Mason) and too many that were just kind of there (Tyutin, Murray, Boll, Methot, Huselius).
I left off Clark and Filatov due to their unique situations although both have been disappointments in their stints with the Jackets this season. Some of their doing and some of the situations they were put in by management/coaching.
-LTL
