Life as a hockey fan in Ohio has typically brought more lows than highs. And, thus far, it has never involved a playoff game.
But this year’s version of the Columbus Blue Jackets is doing its best to change things and a pair of rookies are playing a huge role.
Center Derick Brassard is battling Chicago’s Kris Versteeg for the top spot among rookie scorers, while freshman goalie Steve Mason has debuted with a 4-1-1 record and already has his first big-league shutout.
Another rookie, Jakub Voracek, hasn’t looked out of place either and don’t forget about skilled Russian Nikita Filatov, an 18-year-old who bagged his first NHL marker during a four-game stint with the Jackets.
With the youth movement in full swing, meaningful games late in the season are right around the corner in Columbus.
The Hockey News ranks the teams 1-30 each Monday based on a combination of last week’s play and a squad’s overall outlook.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.