Welcome to another Q & A session of mine. This time, I answer questions from Rob Mixer from NHL.com and his Mailbag. These questions are posted through Twitter, which explains the hashtags.
What's a bigger need for the CBJ, improving the defense or finding help at center?
Both are very important things to look find at any time of year, and they are two of the hardest things to acquire in the offseason. Since it is assumed that the Jackets take Puljujarvi third overall, they will need to find a way to get a young defenseman in the second and/or third round, or in the open market. Defense wins games, and the Jackets have lost quality guys over the years- Mike Reilly, Austin Madasiky, James Wisniewski, and next could be Fedor Tyutin.
What do we need to do to get a first line C? Without winning the draft how do we trade for a C? Is there a free agent we could get?
Someone dependable in both ends. Someone that will produce on the power play and the penalty kill. Someone that can do anything to help their team. One that is not afraid to go in the corners and give it all to help a club win night in and night out.
Who’d you vote for for team MVP?
Boone Jenner. He was impressive all year.
What are management’s thoughts on the Monsters playoff run and how many have a shot at making the team in the fall?
They should be proud because the Jackets are seeing more potential in their professionals than ever before.
Any chance #CBJ at some point look to affiliate with one of the #ECHL teams in #Ohio?
Hopefully. There used to be more minor league hockey in Ohio. There used to be the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, and there was the Columbus Chill before the Blue Jackets; there might have been one in Ohio.
More to come…