Zak MacMillan

"CBJ"

Harrisburg, PA • United States • 23 Years Old • Male

CBJ- Differing Opinions in Porty's Mailbag

Does Jarmo have the upper hand when he's listening to offers for Johansen because of how strong we are down the middle even without him? Dubi, Wild Bill, Wennie, Soupy (with Jens, Fligs, and Chaput able to step in) = stacked.

On Tuesday, Aaron Portzline answered fans' questions through an online chat. It is amazing he can do what he does. He is an amazing writer. However, we all have different opinions on things. And fans bring up really great questions. With that said, I am starting a segment in which I am answering questions that I had a different opinion to Porty, to bring a different opinion to the table.

The first question, shown above in Italics, brings up the Jackets' depth down the middle of the ice, stating Johansen, Dubinsky, Wennberg, Karlsson, Chaput, Campbell, Foligno, and Jenner. With everyone but Johansen, you do have a great group of forwards that can produce, but not as consistently as Johansen. Wennberg, Karlsson, and Chaput are young guys still learning the game, and will probably produce more later in their careers in the league. Campbell is a fourth lining, penalty-killing, secondary scoring center that does what is expected out of him. Brandon Dubinsky and Nick Foligno have shown that they are top 6 forwards since arriving in Columbus, but are they number one centers? No. Do they score? Yes. Are they consistent? This season shows not, but Foligno was last season. Are they more hard-working players than Johansen? That's up for discussion. Do these other guys work harder than Johansen? Again, up for discussion. The question to ask is if Columbus is okay with dealing a big number one center in Ryan Johasnen. I would never think of trading someone like him, but anything can happen in the NHL. However, listening to offers is not a bad idea. But listen is the key word. If Columbus is not satisfied with the offers, they well keep him. If they are convinced about something on the market, there might be something then. Otherwise, he will be a Columbus Blue Jacket for a long time.

What are your thoughts on Ryan Johasnen? Who thinks the Blue Jackets can survive without him? What can the Jackets get back for him? Can they still compete without him? Who can step replace him? What are your thoughts on these rumors?

More to come…

With 3 goals in the last 3 games, do you get the sense that Foligno is gettin his mojo back?

This next question deals with the return of the last season form of captain Nick Foligno. He is a very good player, defiantly showed top 6 talent and skill during his entire tenure in Columbus, and is the captain of the club, but I am more convinced that last season was the best performance of his career, and he may never get close to those numbers again. Personally, I feel like there are two reasons for this- the final year of his contract; and the offseason acquisition of winger Brandon Saad. Last season, he was in the final year of a contract, and players that are in these situations tend to perform better so they have more leverage in negotiating a better contract for themselves, and Foligno proved that last year by being in the top 30 in the league in pop round scoring, and being an NHL All-Star. As for Saad, his arrival means less ice time for guys like Foligno, Hartnell, and Calvert. These guys has more ice time last season, and did more with it. Now, they need to execute with less ice time in games.

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