Hi everyone, my name is Seth and I'm happy to take over the writing duties for the Columbus Blue Jackets. I've been a Chicago Blackhawks fan since I was about 8 years old, which admittedly is a little strange for someone who lives in the beautiful state of Oregon. I would like to thank Shakedown and Gates for giving me the opportunity to open this thread.

But this thread is about the Jackets, and the seemingly bright future they have ahead of themselves. Although they've certainly had their fair share of bad fortune (understatement of the century!), things finally seem to be looking up for this beleaguered franchise. They've come a long ways since the days of Bruce Gardiner (rep to the 1st person who knows the significance of that name), Geoff Sanderson, and Ron Tugnutt.

I will be the first to admit I am not a huge Blue Jackets fan, in fact I've always been fairly indifferent to them even though they're in the same division as my favorite team. But I will do my best to provide the relevant news on the team, and maybe we even have a true-blue Jackets fan or two on the boards who can chip in with info.

Although I do prefer to focus on the future of this franchise, I'm sure a certain all-star team captain will come up in discussion here and there. I will provide what insight I can, but there's such a gluttony of speculation out there I'd rather keep this thread clean of that if at all possible.

With an impressive defense core, a new hotshot goalie, and a potential cornerstone center, the Jackets have the basic pieces to turn their fortunes around. Although they're still a few years away from even dreaming of competing, here's to hoping the Columbus Blue Jackets can work their way out of the doldrums and into a Stanley Cup contender!

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20 Team Dynasty (points per) - G (25, 50 for defense) A (25) PIM (3) +/- (5) PPG (15) SHG (25) OTG (15) GWG (25) HTr (50) GP (2) HIT (1) BLK (1) Use actual NHL salary

F: Malkin, Tavares, E. Kane, Parenteau, Havlat, Tarasenko, Galchenyuk, Brunner, Boyes, Kruger, Helm, M. Martin, Bergenheim, Carcillo, Stajan

D: Green, Ehrhoff, Ekman-Larsson, Coburn, Daley, Postma

G: Fleury, Mason, Montoya

Farm: Grigorenko, Grimaldi, Kucherov, D. Shore, Hartikainen, Stransky, Kerdiles, Joensuu, Pageau, Murphy, Ceci, Klefbom, Thrower, Donovan, Ekholm, Lehner, Dansk, Poulin, Nilsson, Andersen

Awesome!! So, I'll pose the first question.

Where is Rick Nash going?

kidding, glad to see you covering this team man.

What do you think of Cam Atkinson is terms of cracking the top 6 in the near future and putting up some points?

My money is on the reigning Asia League Champion Oji Eagles.

I'm a big fan of Atkinson, and I could see him landing a top 6 spot as early as game 1 of this season. He showed he can handle the NHL last season and has a real knack for scoring goals. So much depends on what kind or return Howson gets for Rick Nash, as whatever players he gets are going to be force fed prime ice time to show they were worth it. All in all, it won't be long until Atkinson is getting top minutes in Columbus.

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20 Team Dynasty (points per) - G (25, 50 for defense) A (25) PIM (3) +/- (5) PPG (15) SHG (25) OTG (15) GWG (25) HTr (50) GP (2) HIT (1) BLK (1) Use actual NHL salary

F: Malkin, Tavares, E. Kane, Parenteau, Havlat, Tarasenko, Galchenyuk, Brunner, Boyes, Kruger, Helm, M. Martin, Bergenheim, Carcillo, Stajan

D: Green, Ehrhoff, Ekman-Larsson, Coburn, Daley, Postma

G: Fleury, Mason, Montoya

Farm: Grigorenko, Grimaldi, Kucherov, D. Shore, Hartikainen, Stransky, Kerdiles, Joensuu, Pageau, Murphy, Ceci, Klefbom, Thrower, Donovan, Ekholm, Lehner, Dansk, Poulin, Nilsson, Andersen

Hi Seth, thanks for jumping in!

I've got two quick questions for you:

1. Someone just posted another thread about Ryan Murray being close to signing an ELC with the BlueJackets, so I was wondering if he's a lock to make the team right out of the gate, or is there a possibility the Jackets don't feel he's ready yet?

2. Who do you think winds up with the captaincy (if it were to become vacant), and who are the "leadership" guys on the roster?

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CBS 8 team keeper(5-8) - Points only

C: Tavares, Duchesne, Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins
LW: Parise, Benn, Neal
RW: Kessel, Giroux, Stewart
D: Green,Karlson, Carlson, Whitney, Edler, White
G: Rinne, Lundqvist
2LW,2C,2RW,4D,1G pts.= G=2, PPG=3, SH=5, A=1, W=3, S=.2, GA=-1, SO=4,


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my guess: jack johnson...

captain of team USA at the WC's the last 2 years...

Kristian Huselius... the juice!!!

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Thunder Bay Fighting Emu
12 team HTH CBS league
C(3)- Malkin, Carter, Little, Huberdeau, Galchenyuk
W(6)- Perry, Nash, Yakupov, Voracek, Wheeler,Cammalleri, Okposo, Hemsky
D(4)- Green, Weber, Hedman, Vishnovsky
G(1)- Lundquist, Rask
Goal/sog heavy- daily changes- slight bonus for pims- No +/-
Keep 12.

I could see RJ Umberger taking over the captaincy...considering he is already one of the alternates and signed through 2016-2017

Prospal would actually be my #1 candidate (he's also an alternate) but he's so old and likely to retire soon IMO.

Imho- that would be a mistake. Hes young, new to the team, has already had multiple "attitude" issues cited in the press, and is apparently just plain mean- lol! I think hes got the type of voice/personality to grow into a leadership role- even captaincy but o just hand it to him at this point would be pointless. Also in some sense you would have to wonder if it undermimes the guys who tried to be leaders through the sloggy "hell" of a season they went through last year. Thats got to count for something.

Was totally joking about Huselius. I think Umberger fits the bill and is a natuaral progression as an assistant last year. Prospal probably isnt a BJ for the long haul imo.

I wouldnt be surprised to see Foligono and even Dorsett step into leadership roles this year. Long term you have to think Johansen- unless he has a Brassard-like de-railment.

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Thunder Bay Fighting Emu
12 team HTH CBS league
C(3)- Malkin, Carter, Little, Huberdeau, Galchenyuk
W(6)- Perry, Nash, Yakupov, Voracek, Wheeler,Cammalleri, Okposo, Hemsky
D(4)- Green, Weber, Hedman, Vishnovsky
G(1)- Lundquist, Rask
Goal/sog heavy- daily changes- slight bonus for pims- No +/-
Keep 12.

As for question 1- I personally think: YES.

Im not even the biggest fan of his upside but he plays a very "mature" game and his NHL readiness was arguably the number one factor contributing to his 2nd overall selection. Its hard to bet on an 18yo defenseman, but Id cautiously say yes on this one.

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Thunder Bay Fighting Emu
12 team HTH CBS league
C(3)- Malkin, Carter, Little, Huberdeau, Galchenyuk
W(6)- Perry, Nash, Yakupov, Voracek, Wheeler,Cammalleri, Okposo, Hemsky
D(4)- Green, Weber, Hedman, Vishnovsky
G(1)- Lundquist, Rask
Goal/sog heavy- daily changes- slight bonus for pims- No +/-
Keep 12.