Jackets have high expectations entering season
By Dave Seaman, Columbus Wired

The expectations of Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock have dramatically increased as his club opens training camp Saturday in preparation for the 2009-10 National Hockey League season.

The idea of making the playoffs is no longer good enough for the coach, the ownership and the fans of the organization. Hitchcock said the focus is to knock the Detroit Red Wings off the top of the Central Division.

“I’m tired of watching Detroit be in first place, I’d like to chase them,” Hitchcock said. “Somewhere along the line, we’d like to make them bleed. It might as well be us. I hate being one of the teams that’s fighting for those last five (playoff) spots. I’d like for them to worry about it for once. That’s our goal—to chase Detroit and capture the division.”

Jackets general manager Scott Howson agrees, it’s a philosophical importance to improve the franchise on all levels.

“The bar is going to go up internally, as well as externally with our fans,” Howson said. “We expect to be better. We’ve been consistent in our methods since both Hitch and I have gotten here—it’s all about improving. Last year was a significant step for us and now it’s time to get better hopefully.”

It was a quiet offseason for Howson as he looked to add pieces to the Jackets’ puzzle. In the first week of free agency, the team signed center Sammy Phalsson, who will anchor the third line, and backup goaltender Mathieu Garon. He also signed captain Rick Nash to a seven-year contract extension and Derek Brassard to a four-year deal.

Gone from last year’s squad, who qualified for its first Stanley Cup playoff appearance are centers Manny Malhotra, Jason Williams and Michael Peca, as well as backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz.

With camp arriving, Hitchcock has tweaked how the preseason will go. Right off the bat, the entire training camp roster has been split into four groups and will face off in a min-tournament on Sunday and Monday at the Ice Haus. On Tuesday, a group will head to Pittsburgh to face the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

The first four exhibition games will be about evaluating individuals, while the final four will be about evaluating the team’s play. Hitchcock said that there are 27 or 28 guys battling for 23 spots on the roster.

As for what spots are open? The team is looking at the fourth line and depth in the defense core. As for candidates at center, Andrew Murray, Derek Dorsett and Mike Blunden. Mathieu Roy, Grant Clitsome, Jonathan Sigalet and Nick Holden are possible defensive options. Alexandre Picard, who signed a one-year, two-way deal, could also be in the mix.

“The competition for ice time is greater than the competition for the team,” Hitchcock said. “There are younger players who want a bigger bite of the team. That’s the evolution of your team. They are not going to sit back and take what was given to them last year and be happy. They want more and they are going to push some of the older guys. Every player will get what he earns and get what he deserves.”

After the Jackets game in Pittsburgh, the team will break into two groups—the group of veterans and a group of hopefuls. Hitchcock said focus on systems early in camp and team chemistry later.

Columbus will play three road games before hosting Minnesota on Sept. 21, which could be a final tryout for a handful of players. Boston (Sept. 22) and Pittsburgh (Sept. 24) also visit Nationwide Arena, before the team ends the preseason with a back-to-back at Boston (Sept. 26) and home against Nashville (Sept. 27).

The regular season begins Oct. 3 when the Wild visit Nationwide Arena.