Looking at the most polarizing player of the playoffs for the Rangers

For the second straight year, the playoffs ended with Rick Nash in the headlines for not producing enough. The winger that was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in hopes that he would help carry the team to a Stanley Cup was unable to contribute offensively for the most part, resulting in fans calling for his head. In 37 playoff games with the Rangers, Nash has tallied four goals and eleven assists. Needless to say the Rangers expect more out of a player they are paying $7.8M annually, so fans have been discussing the possibility of New York trying to trade Nash.

This is where it gets difficult, and where it must be understood that in all likelihood keeping Nash is better for the team than trading him. Here is what I wrote in my do's and don'ts of the off-season:

Do consider trading Rick Nash: To be perfectly clear, I put the chances of the Rangers getting an offer for Rick Nash that actually makes sense for the team at below 0%. Nash's contract is too bad and he hasn't shown what GM's look for to be able to commit to his contract and give assets to the Rangers in return. The issue with trading Nash is that the Rangers would need to avoid eating a lot of salary, get a little bit in return, and replace Nash immediately. The Rangers cannot afford to lose Nash and not replace him on the top line.

So why is trading Nash under the "do" category? Scott Gomez was traded for Ryan McDonagh. Jaromir Jagr was traded for Anson Carter. Crazy things happen, and if the Maple Leafs call the Rangers and say "James van Riemsdyk for Rick Nash," the Rangers need to jump on it. I will be thrilled if I hear Glen Sather is putting out feelers to see if he can trade Nash and turn the assets or cash into a cheaper replacement. It's an almost impossible move, but it's worth at least considering.

The issue with trading Rick Nash-besides the fact that he has a no movement clause and can veto any trade- is that there is essentially zero chance the Rangers can do so without making the team worse. While it would be a futile task to argue that Nash has been good enough offensively in the playoffs, he has contributed greatly in other areas.

First of all, in the regular season Nash provided offensive sparks when needed, scoring 26 goals in only 65 games. Most likely the Rangers would not have gotten their favorable home-ice first round match-up against the Philadelphia Flyers if Nash hadn't helped win a bunch of games. Nash came through with numerous clutch goals and was more often than not someone opposing teams had to latch their top defencemen to. The fear factor alone was huge for the Rangers, as they were able to throw their depth lines out there against bottom pairing defencemen.

Secondly, while Nash's offense was non-existent in the playoffs once again, his overall performance was actually solid. Nash's possession numbers were above average, and his back-checking and strength on defense caused problems for opponents. One has to wonder why Nash was not allowed much time on the power-play in the playoffs, which could have helped his offense out as well. Nash had a similar post-season to that of Sidney Crosby, who also got blasted by the media for not producing enough.

The fact remains that the Rangers will need Nash to produce more for his contract to not be concerning and there are some little adjustments that could go a long way for Nash. Notice how Chris Kreider played in the post-season, as he got to the dirty areas on the ice, got in front of the net, and used his speed and strength together rather than trying to over-power strong defencemen. Nash needs to understand that his finesse move to the middle that he loves so dearly does not work in playoff hockey, as the defencemen are stronger and less willing to give up space.

Nash's contract is the greatest issue, as his deal pays him like a superstar, while he plays like a solid first liner in the regular season, and a second or third liner at best in the playoffs. Even Nash at his best may not be worth $7.8M when considering players that make less, but the Rangers made the trade knowing his contract, and now they must live with it. The biggest argument in favor of trading Nash would be that his contract financially restricts the Rangers from making other moves.Depth was key for the Rangers this past season, and a cap hit of $7.8M hurts the ability to keep depth players when they hit free agency.

Trading Nash means trading into an even worse top six, unless the Rangers can find a replacement through free agency. With an already weak top six, the only way a trade makes sense in terms of putting the best product on the ice is if the Rangers can swap Nash for another high scoring, high paid winger that isn't paid just as much. This remains extremely unlikely, which once again leads to the belief that Nash will be wearing Ranger blue next season.

I am confident that with the proper adjustments Nash can help the Rangers offensively and in the post-season, but if the right deal is offered, the Rangers should certainly consider it. Nash's present should be watching game-tape from this year's playoffs and seeing why he wasn't able to produce offensively. The future? Hope it's with the Rangers and work on being ready for next season. Maybe next year Nash will contribute offensively and help the Rangers lift the Cup.

While the World Cup marches on, hockey news is still emerging including Jets prospect Ivan Telegin talking to the media about his lengthy absence. I also get very confused reading things and need a hug because nothing makes sense anymore.

Links:

Garret was able to have an interview with Ivan Telegin translated.

Lawless says the Jetsshouldn't trade Kane right now. Hey, I agree with Lawless on that, but not all the other stuff he says about Kane.

Rob Vollman with a little ditty on the Jets player usage.

A minor league team has an unique way of selling season tickets.

Just because a player is a good player doesn't mean they should be drafted high.

MLHS interviewed OHL draft guy Brock Otten and he had some interesting comments about Anthony DeAngelo.

Lowetide wonders if the Oilers may move down in the draft.

Why is Doug Wilson talking about a rebuild in San Jose (and can we have a gently used Brent Burns)?

Like really, what is going on in San Jose? They may relocate now? Somebody help me!

Stace of Base is also confused, but decided a song about a fire sale would help clarify everything.

Why is the King Clancy being awarded already? Why isn't that happening in Vegas?

What predications did everyone get wrong about the playoffs?

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a "value chart" for draft picks.

What pieces are really needed to win the Stanley Cup? (Keep in mind the Pittsburgh Penguins' numbers were Therrien'd for a long time).

Our beloved Pavelec should be bought out, but won't be. *sad trombone*

In the annual SB Nation NHL Mock Draft, we decided to add a highly-skilled, two-way forward at 16th overall.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are proud to select, from the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, Ivan Barbashev.

For the past few years, the various sites that cover the NHL teams here at SB Nation convene to mock the draft, and this year we went in armed with the 16th overall pick. We're one of a few sites that profiles the upper tier if prospects every year, so I'll re-post our Barbashev profile here:

Ivan Barbashev

Position: LW
Current Team: Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
Date of Birth: December 14, 1995
Place of Birth: Moscow, Russia
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 181 lbs
Shoots: Left

Every year there are top players who I'd like to see get drafted by the Jackets, regardless of where the team picks. This year, those players would be Sam Bennett, Willie Nylander and Nikolaj Ehlers. These guys, barring a trade-up, will all be gone by the time the Jackets pick at 16th overall, but are personal favorites of mine.

There are also guys who fall into the category of players who would likely be available when the Jackets pick. One of those players this year is next in line after the trio I mentioned earlier- Ivan Barbashev. Not only do I love this kid's game, there's a good chance he'll be available when the Jackets take the podium.

Forget the Russian factor, this kid wants to be an NHLer. Check this quote out, from an article by Mike Morreale:

"It was really important to me, because I want to play in the NHL," Barbashev said. "I was thinking about moving to Canada three years ago. I talked to my father (Dmitri) and agent (J.P. Barry) because, in Canada, that's my style of hockey. The physical game and stuff like that; that's why we moved to Canada."

He plays a two-way game, but also has high-end offensive ability. Add to this a willingness to throw his weight around on the ice, and you have the making of a very dynamic player.

Scouting Reports

"Ivan is a strong skater; he reaches top speed quickly and is a very good playmaker with quick hands," Central Scouting Director Dan Marr said. "He's not afraid to mix it up, competes one-on-one and battles for pucks. He can be a game breaker." - Dan Marr, in an article on NHL.com by Mike Morreale

Ivan is a determined and spirited player. Excellent leader who does so by example and has a focus on the team's best interests in all regards. Excellent hockey IQ in all regards and there is not a situation in the game that he can't make a difference in. Has the ability to 'step up' his game when necessary. Very good skills and can score as well as set up a play and is always in the 'guts of the action.' Off-the-charts character.- Bob McKenzie, TSN

Barbashev is a skilled playmaking winger with impressive vision and passing ability. He thrives in a high-paced offense. Has a good, hard shot and isn't transparent about making a pass or firing it on net. Has dynamic talent but inconsistent in his efforts.  - Elite Prospects

A Good Fit in Columbus?

At the time of writing, the Jackets had the largest contingent of Russian players on their main roster. The significance of this is that if Barbashev were to be drafted to Columbus, he'll have a handful of countrymen mentors already in place as he continues to adapt to the culture of North America.

He's also an impact player who'd like good in almost any situation- he'd be equally effective on Ryan Johansen's wing putting up goals, or on Artem Anisimov's wing as part of a two-way line.

This kid is my ideal draft choice when the Jackets pick next month.

Barbashev in Action

RANKINGS:

NHL Central Scouting - 18th
ISS - 19th
McKeen's - 23rd
Craig Button - 14th

Be sure to check out the rest of the SB Nation Mock Draft.

With a solid all-around game, this Wisconsin Badger is likely to go high in Round 2 of this year's draft.

Jack Dougherty

Position: D
Current Team: University of Wisconsin, NCAA
Date of Birth: May 25, 1996
Place of Birth: Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 185 lbs
Catches: Right

Off to the Big 10 for our next prospect -- a blue-liner with some offensive edge to his game.  Jack Dougherty emerged on the radar a couple of years ago, due to his play in some select international tournaments.  In 2012-13, he netted 29 points in 28 games for Minnesota's St. Thomas Academy.  Last year, facing a more arduous schedule in the USHL and the USDP, Dougherty notched 13 goals and 28 assists in 90 games played.  That's a lot of hockey.

Dougherty did not necessarily endear himself to Columbus fans last season, when he de-committed from Ohio State in the wake of Mark Osiecki's termination, and opted instead to become a Badger, where he figures to see a lot of ice time.  

Dougherty brings a solid all-around game to the table, without necessarily being at the top of the charts in any single skill.  He is universally regarded as athletic, smart and possessed of good hockey sense.  His passing is praised, while his skating is charitably characterized as average.  His offensive upside is perhaps greater than his 2013-13 numbers might suggest, as he took very few shots, likely adjusting to his new role in the USHL and USDP.   

Dougherty finised with the #30 ranking among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings, just about level with his mid-term ranking at #29.  When you factor in European skaters, look for Dougherty to be a high to mid second round selection.   Here's what Central Scouting had to say on Dougherty's game:

Even as a high school player, he was a smart two-way player and proved to be very responsible. He's also tough and can play the power play and work the point well. -- Greg Rajanen, NHL Central Scouting

A Good Fit in Columbus?

 Assuming the pick positions remain as they are, Dougherty would be a consideration in the second round for the Blue Jackets.

The considerations at play here are no different than with the other defensemen we've looked at.  If you figure that Nikita Nikitin and Nick Schultz are gone from the roster, you are left with a core of Fedor Tyutin, Jack Johnson, James Wisniewski, Ryan Murray, David Savard and Dalton Prout.  Tim Erixon and Cody Goloubef are waiting in the wings. So, while this a case to be made for stockpiling some more young blue line talent in the organization, there is already a bit of a logjam, and the Blue Jackets will start feeling the pain in terms of waiver exposure before too long. 

 His snub of Ohio notwithstanding, I would expect Columbus to pass on Dougherty, all other things being equal.  If they are going to look for blue line help, I suspect Columbus will do it via trade or free agency.  Maybe Dan Boyle would like to end his career with the club, and renew some of his Miami University connections.  Others will be available.  If the club were to draft defense, I suspect that they would focus on better skating skills than Dougherty has shown, as Todd Richards has said he wants to put some focus on team speed.

Dougherty in Action

A balanced, talented winger with a two-way game and a nose for the net raises some intriguing possibilities for clubs looking for a sleeper.

Reid Gardiner

Position: RW/C
Current Team: Prince Albert Raiders, WHL
Date of Birth: January 19, 1996
Place of Birth: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 183 lbs
Catches: Right

Once more back to the WHL for an intriguing winger.   Reid Gardiner showed significant improvement in his second campaign with the Prince Albert Raiders, more than doubling his point production, garnering 24 goals and 23 assists in 75 regular season and playoff games.   Still, he was disappointed by the season overall, as his production flagged in the second half of the year.

The intra-season inconsistency did not appear to dissuade the scouts, however, as he rose from a #40 slot in the mid-term NHL Central Scouting Rankings to #29 in the final rankings.  Not terribly surprising, as Gardiner's game has a lot to commend itself to interested NHL clubs.  While he will not pop your eyes open with speed or flashiness, he does everything well.  He also has that unteachable knack for finding his way to those little seams on the ice, with nobody noticing how he got there.  That's a good skill to have, particularly when you're a bit undersized in a league moving increasingly toward "heavy" play.  Still, Gardiner holds his own in the defensive end and has good vision of the ice.

At the older end of the draft class, with a January birthday, Gardiner promises to be a quick learner, and could be NHL ready faster than many of his draft contemporaries.  He could be a true "sleeper" pick for some club, as he could go anywhere from the late first round down to the mid-ranges of the second round.

Here's what Central Scouting had to say on Gardiner's game:

He was under the radar most of the season as a medium-sized winger who has good, disciplined positional play.  He's pretty crafty in the offensive zone and gets to the open scoring areas.  He's a solid two-way player with a good work ethic. -- B.J. MacDonald, NHL Central Scouting

A Good Fit in Columbus?

With the usual caveat about the dynamics of draft positions, Gardiner would be a player I think the Blue Jackets would have on their radar in the second round.  With all-around ability, a sense of responsibility, and the demonstrated ability to both score and make plays, he could provide some depth at the wing, with the prospect of potentially being ready for the big time in a couple of years.  That could be a good timetable for the Blue Jackets, depending upon what other moves come their way over the next three weeks.

By the way, as the video below shows, Gardiner is not afraid to mix it up with the opposition.  However, he might want to take a few pugilistic lessons before trying this at the NHL level.  Just sayin' . . .

Gardiner on Video

A big scoring forward from the WHL might have the Blue Jackets' front office sitting up and taking notice.

Conner Bleackley

Position: C
Current Team: Red Deer Rebels, WHL  
Date of Birth: July 2, 1996
Place of Birth: High River, Alberta, Canada
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 196 lbs
Shoots: Right

Once again we are in the WHL to look at a prospect who promises to be The Real Deal.  Conner Bleackley brings size, skill and scoring to the table -- with ample quantities of each.  Consider that in the 2012-13 season for the Red Deer Rebels, Bleackley posted 12 goals, 10 assists and 22 points in 71 games.  Fast forward to this season, where he amassed 30 goals and 41 assists, for 71 points in 79 games.  If that isn't an example of a young man finding his game, I'm not sure what is.

Bleackley holds the #26 slot in the ISS Final Rankings and the #35 position in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings. The latter was an inexplicable drop from the #31 slot at mid-season.  By all accounts, Bleackley brings the full spectrum of skills -- plus character and effort -- to the mix.  While his skating is viewed by some as inconsistent, that's a teachable shortcoming.  You don't flirt with point-per-game numbers without some speed and agility, and Bleackley has both.

NHL Central Scouting has nothing but good things to say:

He deserves every point he has with his strong work ethic and decent size.  He hustles every shift, and is not afraid to get in on the forecheck and make things happen.  He's solid with smart positioning, and he pays attention to detail at both ends of the rink. B.J. MacDonald -- NHL Central Scouting

A Good Fit in Columbus?

There is a lot to like with this young man, and you have to believe he is on Jarmo Kekalainen's radar, in the event he's available.  From his rankings, he seems very likely to be around at the #16 slot.  The question then becomes whether he merits that high of a selection.  As usual, the answer there is "It depends upon who else is on the board, and whether the Blue Jackets are looking for offense, defense or the best available athlete in the first round."

Bleackley certainly has the attributes that Columbus treasures -- a solid work ethic, effort on every shift, and three-zone presence.  His offensive upside seems real, with the sole question being whether the 2013-14 campaign was a fluke, or a sign of things to come.  With 196 pounds on a 6'1" frame, Bleackley is physically ready to go in the big time, and simply needs seasoning at higher levels of competition.  I wouldn't be shocked to see Columbus trade down in the first, and grab both Bleackley and an extra pick.

Bleackley in Action

Hope everyone's ready for a cross-state road trip, as the Blues and Stars meet up in KC at the end of September.

The Blues get seven pre-season games this year against three very familiar opponents. Dallas, Columbus, and Minnesota will each get their turn to square off against the Blues at home and at Scottrade. The Sprint Center in Kansas City will be Scottrade's body double for the match-up on September 27th.

There is one team who will only be visiting Scottrade, and who the Blues will not travel to, and that's the Carolina Hurricanes. Playing them at home gives the Blues three official home games at Scottrade and three road games, as well as an Eastern Conference opponent.

Meaningless hockey is only three months away!

Here is the complete schedule, from the Blues' official site:

Montreal assistant tabbed with responsibility of leading the moribund Panthers out of the cellar.

The news wasn't supposed to come until Monday morning, but the Florida Panthers have made it official, and Gerard Gallant is the team's new head coach.

Gallant will be the third man in the last year to be the club's bench boss, replacing the fired Kevin Dineen and interim head coach Peter Horachek, who led the Cast to a 26-36-4 record after coming up from the San Antonio Rampage to hold the reins as the Cats bumbled through the remainder of the season.

This will be the 50-year-old, former NHL winger's second go around at being the head man of an NHL club. He coached the Columbus Blue Jackets for parts of three seasons, compiling a 56-81-4-6 record in 147 games before he was let go early in the 2006-07 campaign.  For LBC's more detailed look at Gallant's background click here.

Florida GM Dale Tallon said prior NHL head-coaching experience was an important aspect when it came to getting the job, but the team did pass on some much more seasoned candidates, like Dan Bylsma, Marc Crawford, Tom Renney, and Ron Wilson. Gallant has a bit of the connection to the Panthers having coached Jonathan Huberdeau during his junior days.

It took a while, but Panthers seemed to have done their due diligence and finally gotten their man. It's time for the Gerard Gallant era in Sunrise to begin!

We're a bit over four months away from the Sabres home opener and the beginning of what's expected to be another rebuilding year.

The NHL has announced each team's home opener for the 2014-15 season, and the Sabres will start their year in the friendly confines of the First Niagara Center, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

JUST IN: #Sabres' home opener will be on Thurs., Oct. 9 vs. @BlueJacketsNHL. Full schedule to be released tomorrow at 4pm ET.

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 21, 2014

The Sabres will then travel to Chicago to be a part of the Blackhawks home opener on Saturday, Oct. 11. The full NHL schedule will be released tomorrow at 4pm, so expect plenty more information and analysis in 24 hours.

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall made his first trade on Monday by sending Scott Hartnell to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for R.J. Umberger.

Say this for the Philadelphia Flyers: They are never boring and you never know what their front office is capable of doing.

The latest example was the trade on Monday that sent forward Scott Hartnell to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for R.J. Umberger.

Umberger spent the first three years of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to Columbus after the 2007-08 season for three draft picks. He spent six seasons with the Blue Jackets, scoring 120 goals in 445 games. His production has dropped significantly over the past couple of seasons, and he was also one of their worst possession players this past season. According to Blue Jackets beat writer Aaron Portzline, the team was likely to use one of its compliance buyouts on him if they were unable to find a team willing to trade for him.

Instead, they not only dumped him and his contract off on a divisional opponent, they also get Hartnell coming off a 20-goal, 32-assist season for the Flyers.

Hartnell still has five years remaining on the six-year, $28.5 million contract extension he signed back in August 2012. He also becomes the latest Flyer to be traded less than two years after signing a long-term deal with the team, joining Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and James van Riemsdyk.

Umberger is signed for three more years with a cap hit of $4.6 million.

Deal also includes a 2015 4th round pick going from Columbus to Philadelphia.

When R.J. Umberger asked to be traded, we speculated about what the return might be. I don't think any of us thought it would be for a player that has as much to bring to the table as Scott Hartnell, but here we are. The Blue Jackets announced this morning that they sent Umberger and a 2015 4th round pick to the Flyers for Hartnell.

Hartnell, 32, is coming off a decent season for the Flyers, with 20 goals and 32 assist in 78 games, spending a lot of time on the Flyers' top line. For his career (13 seasons), he has 250/288/538 in 953 games. He also has amassed a whopping 1452 PIM in that time.

"We are proud and excited to welcome Scott Hartnell to the Columbus Blue Jackets as he is the epitome of the type of player we want in our organization," said Kekalainen. "He is a talented, tough, hard-working player who brings valuable experience and leadership on and off the ice. We believe he will fit in very well with our group and be an important part of our team moving forward. We would also like to thank R.J. for his years of service to our club and extend our best wishes to him and his family."

While moving Umberger and getting a decent asset probably seems like a complete coup at the outset, we must also acknowledge some contract ramifications as well. Hartnell is signed for five more seasons at a cap hit of $4.75 million. So, the club is not saving any money for the next three seasons, and is on the hook for two more seasons beyond Umberger's contract. Right now, the player in Hartnell is definitely a better value for the money. But, will he remain so for those last two years? We shall see.

It should be noted that, in terms of real dollars, the contract he signed with Philly was front-loaded. Hartnell makes $5 million this coming season, and that number drops each season for the remainder of his contract down to $3 million in 2018-2019.

Your daily series of links, including the World Junior summer camp roster and a trade to announce

Montreal Canadiens News:

• After signing Andrei Markov to a three-year extension, Richard Labbe speculates on whether Brian Gionta is the next to sign (French).
• It's looking like the Canadiens may look internally to fill their now-vacant assistant coaching spot.
• Canada announced the roster for its 2014 World Junior summer camp, which includes Habs prospects Zach Fucale and Jeremy Gregoire.
• Canadiens fans are reportedly not too thrilled with the team's 2014-2015 schedule.

News and Notes from Around the NHL:

Jarmo Kekäläinen defied the predictions of many and achieved a couple of his off-season goals in one decisive move.

We are just four days away from the 2014 NHL Draft, and 11 days away from Red, White & Boom, but the fireworks are already starting, courtesy of General Manager Jarmo Kekäläinen and one of his favorite dance partners, the Philadelphia Flyers.   As Dan laid out earlier, the Blue Jackets acquired veteran forward Scott Hartnell for disgruntled R. J. Umberger and a 4th round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Many -- if not most -- Blue Jackets observers held the view that the market for R.J. would be virtually non-existent, and that we would accordingly be talking about a compliance buyout next Monday.  I was of a different view, believing that Umberger would be packaged with another asset to bring a decent return.  There are a number of teams needing a more physical forward in the ranks, but I did not have the Flyers on that list.

Put me in the camp that calls this a solid deal for Columbus.  Hartnell is the quintessential player that you despise when playing for the opposition, and adore when he plays for you.  With 52 points and a plus-11 last season, Hartnell showed that he had overcome the injuries that had plagued him the year before -- an unusual one for the sturdy Hartnell. Contrast that with the 34 points and minus-3 for Umberger last season.  Those are just numbers, but they bear out the intangibles that the players bring to the table.  Hartnell makes players around him better, through his skill, his hard work and his intensity.  Umberger did not have the same effect for Columbus, which ultimately led to the decline in his ice time and his discontent.

To be sure, Umberger played an important role during his time with the Blue Jackets, and provided some memorable moments.  But his skills had declined over the past few years, to the point where he was more of a liability than an asset with the puck.  The majority of his goals came on redirections in front, which is not a $4.6 skill.   On a more intangible level, Umberger seemed a bit on the pouty side over the fact that he was not awarded the "C".  It all adds up to the need for a change in scenery, for both sides.

Numerically, this is basically an even deal in the short term.  The two players were born within three weeks of each other, and their cap hits are $150K apart.  Hartnell's deal extends for a couple of extra years, but his actual salary is also on the decline -- down to $3 million for those years.  With the escalation of the salary cap, that will be a mere pittance by then.

On the plus side, Columbus gains a proven top-line forward, who puts forth 100% effort and has the full spectrum of tricks one would expect of an NHL veteran of his stature.  He always seems to come up big in big situations, and provide leadership and intensity to the room.  On the down side, Hartnell is a bit of a hothead, and can rack up penalty minutes at a prodigious rate.  Put him on the same line as Brandon Dubinsky, and you create a third special team --  PP, PK & PC -- Penalty Creation Unit.  There's a fine line where passion stops and irresponsibility begins, but perhaps Hartnell will toe that line as he matures.  There's also the age-related risk of declining performance, but that is shared equally between the two 32-year olds.

GM Ron Hextall is apparently following the lead of Paul Holmgren in making deals that appear to be more disruptive than constructive.  Hartnell was an integral part of the Flyers' top line last year, and has been part of the club's fabric for awhile.  He now joins the parade of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky -- who have been dispatched from the City of Brotherly Love with less than brotherly ceremony.  While the Flyers have acquired the likes of Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and Jake Voracek in the process, Richards and Carter have hoisted the Stanley Cup -- twice -- and Bobrovsky has a Vezina Trophy on his mantle.

Speaking of Jeff Carter, perhaps the biggest positive of this deal is the fact that Hartnell waived his No Movement Clause to come to Columbus, after a couple of phone conversations with Kekäläinen.  Those chats apparently were designed to convince Hartnell that the Blue Jackets' front office was committed to winning.  I don't know what was said, but it convinced Scott, and triggered reaction across the league about the Columbus coup.  Unlike Mr. Carter, Hartnell is glad to be here -- like Nathan Horton -- and that's a really good thing.

It's very difficult to see how this trade makes Philadelphia a better team.  Umberger no longer has the top six skill he displayed in the playoffs preceding his departure for Columbus, and destroying the chemistry of the top line seems to be the height of folly.  Still, it's only the beginning of the silly season of trades and signings --- and unsubstantiated internet rumors of same -- so there may be a Grand Design of which we are presently unaware.  I doubt it , but let's give Hextall the benefit of the doubt.

So, Jarmo gets a full thumbs up from here for this deal.  Columbus is quietly assembling an awesome roster of forwards, and has the potential to be dangerous with any line on the ice.  Sure, there's risk, but I'd rather be on the Columbus side of this deal than on the Philadelphia side.

Oh, yeah.  Before I forget, there are other things going on this week, like the draft, the release of the schedules for next year, the NHL Awards Show and the announcement of the new Hall of Fame inductees.  (Has anybody suggested to Gary Bettman that perhaps spacing this stuff out would keep interest across the full off-season?).   I'll have all of that -- and more -- in the next edition.  Stay tuned.

The Bruins (and former Bruins) will be recognized tonight by their peers in a strong group of award nominees.

Meanwhile, back in Boston, it is back to business.

• It's official, Niklas Svedberg signed a one-way contract and will be  Tuukka Rask 's backup for the upcoming season. Malcolm Subban, in turn, will likely be the man in the net in Providence. [WEEI]
• There are only good things ahead for Chad Johnson, whose solid performance in relief should earn him a well-deserved raise. Good luck and thanks! [MetroWestDailyNews]
• Reports are that Johnson is truly a nice guy [@AmalieBenjamin] and is very accomodating. [@AmalieBenjamin]
• NHL Draft is looming, and as the Bruins look to their first round pick in the Keith Gretzky era, unfinished business with Jarome Iginla will draw on all of Peter Chiarelli' s skill, and will affect draft and possible trades. [Boston.CBSLocal]
• Meanwhile in Vegas, Rask is clearly enjoying himself, and isn't entirely focused on business. [TheScore]
• Don't be so hasty about calling for a compliance buyout of Chris Kelly. [WEEI]
• Bruce Cassidy would be a good fit in Geoff Ward's vacated spot, but may be too valuable at the helm of the Providence Bruins. [ESPN]
• It's official, former Bruins coach Pat Burns is in the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining four players and an official. Dr. Mark Recchi remains on deck. [TheGlobeAndMail]
• If you can stomach revisiting these, here are the 6 most devastating defeats the Bruins have suffered in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. [NewEnglandHockeyJournal]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Here's the complete scoop on tonight's NHL Awards ceremony, note that the live broadcast will be on NBCSN and CBC starting at 7pm Eastern. [NHL]
• This opinion has the three Bruins sweeping their available categories. Please, let it be so! [TorontoSun]
• But to heck with those. Here are the NHL Awards that should be handed out! Like the Chuck Norris Trophy-guess who should win THAT one?  [TheStar]
• Speaking of Las Vegas, here's one player's opinion as to why they should NEVER get an NHL franchise... [@ChrisKuc]
• Scott Hartnell waived a no-trade to go to the Blue Jackets, but was "shocked" by the Flyers stance that left him preferring be with a team that wanted him in return. [Philly.com]
• Daniel Alfredsson says he's in for another season... [@HeleneStJames]
• Hey Game of Thrones fans- are you new to hockey? This will help you understand NHL teams. [OnTheForecheck]

In which NHL players receive validation for their efforts, Tyler Seguin learns how to play baseball, and the Blue Jackets are going to win it all...

So the big trade of this pre-Draft week, thus far, was that of Scott Hartnell from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Columbus Blue Jackets... for R.J. Umberger. A player who the Blue Jackets discussed buying out earlier this week. The Flyers have obviously never heard the maxim about getting the best player in the deal. Or at least getting a player you can pretend is remotely close to being the best player. But hey, they got a player. And a pick! So I'm sure all of Philly is stoked.

As Scott Hartnell must be. As he himself said: "I'm 32 years old, I have a lot of money, but I want to win." And as Blue Jacket's GM Jarmo Kekalainen said: "He wanted to go to a team that he feels has a chance to win the Stanley Cup." And thus, Columbus here we come! *blink blink*

Somebody must know something about the Blue Jackets that I don't...

This is why we tune into NHL news this time of year though, right? I mean, besides that whole Draft thing. I'm just here for the 'say what?' transactions. Hartnell for Umberger? Excellent. Good start. The Sharks are planning a rebuild and might move Thornton and/or Marleau? *David grabs his popcorn* What's next?

The next few days are gonna be great.

* * *

The NHL Awards Show was last night. Lots of people won trophies, and most of them we could have predicted would win them yesterday afternoon. But maybe you still want to know who they were? Well, we live to serve. [SB Nation]

Good for Rich Peverley. He got to sit next to Alex Ovechkin at last night's awards. [RMNB]

And good for Mike Modano. Slightly overwhelmed at his recent induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame. [Sports Day DFW]

And as if we needed further validation of Jamie Benn's greatness, he goes and gets named to the NHL First All-Star Team. A pretty impressive honor, that no Dallas Stars player ever has accomplished. Well played Benn. [Sports Day DFW]

What? No Lady Byng for Tyler Seguin? Blame Mike Heika. [Sports Day DFW]

How to fix the Vancouver Canucks? Well, they need a reliable goaltender. And Ryan Kesler more than likely needs to be shipped out. Hmm... wait, no! Damn it, Josh! You've got me thinking of Kari Lehtonen trades now! [National Post]

Free agents reluctant to commit too soon, because you know, the difference between $5 million and $6 million is really going to affect their quality of life. [CBC]

NHL teams... and Game of Thrones. Two things that were bound to be mixed at some point. I don't get it, but then, I've never seen the show. Maybe a couple of y'all have? [On the Forecheck]

Jussi Jokinen as a potential free agent? Discuss. [Puck Daddy]

I don't know where you guys get your offseason primers from, but I'll take Down Goes Brown's all the way. [Grantland]

And lastly, Tyler Seguin at Dirk Nowitzki's Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game over the weekend: "I'm going to be really baseball right now. I have sunflower seeds ... in the dugout. And I'm also gonna be talking to myself. Oh yeah. Major League."

A look at the Minnesota-natives in this year's draft.

It's draft time again Wilderness. That time every summer when the State of Hockey gets to witness home-grown talent get called to the podium as the newest member of a NHL franchise. Minnesota will have 23 natives up for grabs in Philadelphia. To local hockey fans, the names and places on this list are notable.

The 2014 Reed Larson Award winner for best senior defenseman went to Eden Prairie's Luc Snuggerud. The University of Nebraska-Omaha commit will get a chance to play for former Golden Gopher Dean Blais for his NCAA career. Snuggerud was a catalyst on the blue line for the Eden Prairie Eagles as they made their way to another State Tournament. He tallied 8 goals, 30 assists for 38 points in 25 games for the Eagles while racking up 10 points in 6 games of the State Tourney. Luc is the nephew of former NHL winger, Dave Snuggerud, who also played for the University of Minnesota.

According to ISS Hockey Snuggerud is an, "effective puck-moving defenseman with strong skating ability." Future Considerations loves his defensive ability: "He controls his gaps very well, and takes time and space from forwards quickly. He has a great stick on defense and breaks up plays nicely. He anticipates the play nicely and works well with his partners. Snuggerud is a very reliable defenseman." He stands at 5'11" and 180 pounds and will need to put on some muscle, but he projects to be a possible mid-pairing NHL defenseman.

Central Scouting has Jack Dougherty as the highest rated Minnesota-born player in this draft. Dougherty helped the St. Thomas Academy Cadets to their third straight State Class-A Championship in his junior year before moving to the US National Team Development Program. The Cottage Grove native is a tough-as-nails defenseman that likes to use his 6'1" frame to his advantage. Future Considerations has him rated number 24 on their board, while ISSHockey has him at number forty-two.

While Dougherty is a prototypical defensive-defenseman he has started adding more offense to his repertoire. While he lacks that elite speed that NHL scouts are looking for, he makes up for his willingness to battle in the tough areas of the ice. Whether its stepping up on guys in the corners, standing up for his teammates, or making big hits as forwards come down the lane on him, he is super gritty and looks to make an impact on the defensive side of things in the NHL. The future UW-Badger will be in a program that's churned out solid NHL defensemen in the NCAA.

Jack Glover hails from St. Louis Park and Benilde-St. Margaret's before joining USNTDP for his senior year of high school. Glover is more of a two-way player than his NTDP teammate, Jack Dougherty. While having an inconsistent season in 2013-14, he was able to score 28 points in 59 games played. The scouting report from ISSHockey questions whether Glover can put together all of his tools to be a quality pro defenseman. However, they like his work ethic: "Glover has a high work ethic on and off the ice and approaches the game with a pro mentality. He has all the physical tools to be regular NHL defenseman in the future." Future Considerations likes his skating and his poise with the puck, but hope to see his consistency improve. Gopher fans will get to watch him learn under Mike Guentzel, Grant Potulny, and head coach Don Lucia on a team that made the NCAA Frozen Four last season.

You can't talk about a draft and not mention a Nanne. In this case it's Tyler. Nanne was born in Edina, and played for Curt Giles at Edina High School. Tyler is the grandson of former Minnesota North Star legend Louis Nanne and the brother of Wild draft pick Louie. Nanne will play at THE Ohio State University next season. ISSHockey grades his hockey sense as ‘Excellent' and you'd hope that growing up in a hockey family with his namesake that that would be the case.

He is a very mobile defenseman with "natural offensive instincts" and has the ability to move up and play forward when needed. The biggest knock on him is his size: standing at 5'10", he will always have to prove that he can play against the big boys like Martin St. Louis had to his entire career. But when you've got the instincts like he does, with enough hard work, he can find a place in the league.

Another Edina Hornet in the draft is center Dylan Malmquist. Malmquist played on the Hornet varsity squad for three years and has averaged 1.5 points per game during his high school career. Like Nanne, he is smaller at 5'10", but Malmquist is a "natural goal scorer that is a threat to put the puck in the net every time he is on the ice," according to ISS. He grades an ‘Excellent' in both hockey sense and the skating categories. He has the ability to make things happen on the forecheck and can find his way through defenders with relative ease. He was Edina's third-leading scorer on the Hornets team that won the Class AA crown back in March. He also possesses a good two-way game that he is projected to be at least a top-9 forward. As a future golden-domer at Notre Dame, he will have the ability to hone his two-way game even more.

Out of the 2014 draft, it looks very much like there are a plethora of solid Minnesota defensive prospects- Four of the Top-Five Minnesota prospects are defensemen. Other notable players to watch in this year's draft are Eagan's Nick Wolff, Neal Pionk from Hermantown, and Jack Ramsey. Wolff had an amazing State Tournament this year and is easily the biggest and most aggressive defenseman the state of Minnesota has to offer this year. Neal Pionk is a defenseman that made it to the Class A final in 2012-13 as a junior and now plays for Sioux City in the USHL. Minnetonka's Jack Ramsey (The son of former Wild assistant coach and 1980 Gold Medalist Mike) has committed to the Gophers and will get a chance to develop in a top-tier program.

It's fun to watch these kids that develop into NHL players knowing that you went to school with them, or that they're a family friend, or even if your kids just played against them. The State of Hockey didn't get it's name for nothing. And it isn't just because of the giant Hockey Stick in Eveleth, or the premier HS tournament in the nation, or that our 10,000 lakes freeze over every winter so that we can play hockey almost anywhere. No, it's because of kids like these, kids that'll turn in next year's NHL stars. Minnesota has been a leader, year after year, in the amount of kids that are drafted to NHL clubs, and that's because of the work Minnesota Hockey has done at the youth levels and the many great high school coaches throughout the state.

'Tis the season where otherwise rational general managers eperience two weeks of temporary insanity. This year will be no different.

We are now officially in the NHL's annual Silly Season --  the fortnight squished between Wimbledon and the Tour de France, when NHL General Managers display collective amnesia over the economic problems that led to two major lockouts in the last decade, and spread money like there was no tomorrow.  With the 2014 Entry Draft tomorrow, and the "window period" for kicking the tires with free agents officially open, it's time to take a look at the ongoing shenanigans:

Howson Woos Nikitin -- You can always count on Scott Howson and/or the Edmonton Oilers to provide some head shaking moments at this time of year, and when they combine, the results can be really stunning.  Truly, I am a believer that Howson does not deserve the ritual stoning that he receives in Columbus, without regard for some of the good deals he put together.  But, as anyone who reads my stuff knows, I'm a big believer that Columbus is a better organization without him.  His signing of Nikita Nikitin to a two-year $9 million contract is Exhibit A.  Nikitin canplay the game, when he wants to, but he has been more frequently seen making some absolutely brutal plays in his own end.  In his debut season with the Blue Jackets, his 7 goals and 25 assists opened some eyes, and he developed some chemistry with Fedor Tyutin. 

Nikitin valued those accomplishments highly, and was on the brink of arbitration when he blinked and accepted a two-year deal for $4.3 million . . . combined. Obviously, the Blue Jackets felt that even that money was contingent upon him at least maintaining the same level of play . . . which he didn't.  Thus, they were willing to let him walk when free agency begins July 1.  I have had Nikitin slated for the KHL for awhile, figuring that only there would he get somebody to meet his inflated concept of self-worth.  Leave it to Edmonton to prove me wrong.  Nikitin now is the highest paid defenseman on the Oilers -- and #2 in Alberta --  and Howson -- per his comments yesterday -- has him slated for "at least" a top four role.  To put it in more perspective, Nikitin now makes more than Jack Johnson, and the same as Fedor Tyutin. 

It looks like the main cheer in the Edmonton stands will once again be "LOT-TER-Y!!"

Gaborik's Age Defying Deal -- At the same time, the Los Angeles Kings were announcing that they have signed Marian Gaborik to a deal worth approximately $34 million over seven years.  Yes, you read that correctly . . . seven.  With an AAV of "just" $4.9 million, this would superficially seem to be a steal, given his performance in this year's playoffs, and considering that Nikitin is apparently worth $4.5 million.  But, superfical does not cut it in the NHL.

Gaborik is 32 years old.  While that's on the far side of the summit for most NHL forwards, there are still some productive years remaining . . . assuming good health.  Gaborik has been anything but healthy in his career, and should well have had a great playoff run, considering how well rested he was.  Due to injury, Gaborik's skates hit the ice only 22 time for the Blue Jackets last year, and that has been a recurrent theme.  These things do not improve with age.   Chances are the Kings will find out that Gaborik  breaks under the rigors of a regular season schedule, particularly in the physical type of game the Kings like to play.

Gaborik will actually make $6 million plus for the first three years of the deal, winnowing down to $3 million or so at the end.  In the cap world, it's seven years and $34 million.  In the real world, I'm betting on three years and $19 million.

Public Service Announcement -- Before talking about the draft and such, I have to provide my annual warning to those who may be following the Silly Season via social media for the firt time this year.  Rule 1:  IT IS NOT TRUE.  Rule 2:  SEE RULE 1.   There are hordes of internet hockey trolls who surface at this time of year, with catchy Twitter handles leading the unsuspecting to believe that they have some special inside knowledge of the NHL and its inner workings.  Even more lethal are those who fake the accounts of the legitimate correspondents.  Some have become quite accomplished at this, and I was caught by one of these gremlins a couple of years ago.  My general rule is that it isn't true unless Bob MacKenzie or Darren Dreger say it is, and even they miss once in a while.  Some of the ESPN folks have become credible in this area as well.  So, please no RT's of @NHLSuperSecretInsider's tweet that the Blue Jackets have acquired Crosby and Malkin for Jared Boll and a 3rd round pick, OK?

The Draft & Beyond -- For me, the draft is more intriguing for the deals that are done than for the picks themselves.  Except for years like last year, when we had three first-rounders, it's tough to get too excited when the chances that any of these guys will ever see NHL ice is well under 50%.  That being said, the mid-first round position is an intriguing one, with possibilities abounding.  With Hartnell coming on board, the signing of Hjalmarsson and the potential for Rychel, Wennberg and others to crack the roster, it will be interesting to see where the club puts its focus.  Will we draft offense, defense or parlay the picks in to other deals?   Don't look for any predictions here, as I really don't need more opportunities to make a fool of myself, and the Blue Jackets have been very good about keeping the lid on their intentions.

That being said, here are some folks that could make sense for the Blue Jackets to look at.  In the draft, I think that Conner Bleackley is really an intriguing choice.  His size and skill are a good fit, and he's at a level that the Blue Jackets could trade down to get in the first round, or perhaps trade up in the second.  I think this guy is going to be a good catch for somebody.  (Which pretty much guarantees that he will quit hockey and become a professional rodeo rider or something . . . ).   For a more informed view, catch my colleague Mike MacLean's mock draft , which has us going for a blue liner in the first round.

On the free agent market, we are hearing the annual Ales Hemsky rumblings, of course, but they have been wrong every time before, and I don't see a difference here.  Matt Moulson, on the other hand, would be worth a look.  Dan Boyle might be an interesting choice to add some veteran depth on the blue line and re-unite him with some old Miami connections.   I'm also intrigued by Brooks Orpik -- I just have this gut feeling that he simply needs a change of scenery to get his game invigorated, and Columbus is not that far from Pittsburgh . . . .

Whatever the scenarios, I think the Blue Jackets might have a surprise or two in store.  How's that for going out on a limb?

The Coaching Corner

It was good to see Gerard Gallant get another crack at a head coaching slot, taking over the Quebec City . . . I mean Florida Panthers.  He got the bum's rush in Columbus, and after some good work in the interventing years, nice to see him get another shot. 

After much angst, the Pittsburgh Penguins reached down to the WHL to grab somewhat embattled Portland Winterhawks' coach/GM Mike Johnston as their coach.  Too bad, I was really looking forward to seeing John Tortorella dealing with Crosby and Malkin.  In all seriousness, I think this is a bad move by Pittsburgh.  They seem to be hoping that another stealth coach in Bylsma school will lead them to the Promised Land.  Hope is not a strategy, and I think you need a coach with more gravitas and leverage to whip the sullen superstars into shape.

Speaking of coaches, has anybody else notice the paradigm shift in Todd Richards' conversation of late?   We've moved from "bump & grind" to "speed & skill".   I think the playoffs may have been an eye-opener for Richards, seeing that the physical game can take you only so far.  It's good to hear, and I'll be interested to see how it translates on the ice.

All Things NHL

I'm not sure who in New York figures it's a good idea to hold the Entry Draft, free agency, the NHL Awards, the announcement of the schedules and the Hall of Fame inductions all within a 10-day window, but it's crazy, and minimizes the impact these events deserve, and the visibility it provides to the NHL.   I know people want to go on vacation, but some of this stuff could happen in the "dead period" from mid-July on, couldn't it?

No shockers out of the NHL Awards -- Patrick Roy was a solid pick for the Jack Adams (Todd Richards was 8th), and Tuuka Rask was a good choice for the Vezina (Steve (cough) Mason (cough, cough( was 7th, one spot ahead of Sergei Bobrovsky).  A bit of a surprise with Dustin Brown beating out Jonathan Toews for the Mark Messier Leadership Award, but I've believed his role on the club has been underestimated by many.  Nathan MacKinnon was no surprise for the Calder, but  Boone Jenner did get a vote.

On the Hall of Fame front, Dominik Hasek ,  Peter Forsberg and Mike Modano were automatics, with Rob Blake being perhaps a mild surprise. Bill McCreary enters the Hall after refereeing more than 2,000 games in the NHL.  That's a lot of skating --- no shifts for the referees.  Finally, and for me, most importantly, Pat Burns finally gets his deserved ticket to the Hall.  The guy was an institution in the game,, won three Jack Adams Awards -- with three different teams, and was forced to endure the ignominy of having his death widely trumpeted on the internet during his battle with cancer, only to find that he was at the family's summer cottage.  It's a shame this honor did not come during his liftetime.

We'll be at Nationwide Arena tomorrow night for all of the 2014 Draft festifvities, and you should be to.  My favorite spurious rumor thus far is that Scott Hartnell has asked to announce the Jackets' opening pick on the stage in Philly.  That's simply too delicious to be true.   Hold onto your hats folks, the next two weeks promise to be crazy . . . or not.  Stay tuned.

The Cannon needs to re-brand and re-boot its podcast, and we want your help!

I can't say, beyond the elementary analytics I get from the site that hosts the podcasts, how many of you listened to the episodes we've created over the past couple of years, but rest assured that having a strong, consistent, engaging podcast has always been a goal of mine.

It's been more than two months--and plenty has happened, to be sure!--since I managed to record the last episode of the Blue Jackets Roundtable. Schedules are tough, hosting costs money, blah blah blah.

As I sat and thought about what I wanted the podcast to be many times over the spring and summer, it occurred to me that the best possible podcast I could come up with would be one that focuses on what our readers--aka the lifeblood of our site--would enjoy the most.

So, here's what I came up with:

It's time to start over.

One of the biggest items will be a new name for our podcast. I originally called it The Blue Jackets Roundtable when I was conceiving of a podcast with Matt before I'd even joined The Cannon's writing staff (since my goal was to gather different writers from different sites, a "roundtable" made sense then. Not so much now that my main guests are other Cannon writers). And here's the thing: one of you is going to pick the new name of the podcast.

We're going to review the names submitted via the comments, and we're going to democratically (I mean the five of us writers) decide which one we like the best. Rec's in the comments will be a factor, but the final decision will be ours. So, bring your best ideas to the table, and the author of the name that gets picked will be a guest on the first "reboot" edition of the new podcast.

I want this to be OUR podcast, so let's throw a shovel or two full of dirt on the "Blue Jackets Roundtable," and let's build a Cannon podcast that everyone enjoys and that you all actually have some stake in. To that end, I'm coming to you, the readers, with hat in hand. Please take a moment to answer the following questions in the comments, and remember, the new podcast name that we deem to be the best fit will come from you guys, and the person that comes up with it will be a guest on the podcast.

Thanks in advance!

1. When deciding which podcasts to listen to, does length of episodes factor in?
2. How long is the ideal podcast episode?
3. How frequently should we (ideally) record podcast episodes?
4. If you've listened to The Blue Jackets Roundtable Podcast episodes, what was the best thing about those episodes?
5. Same as above, only the worst thing about those episodes...
6. What kinds of guests should we go for? Are the podcasts better with bloggers (either our writers or other SBN writers for our rivals), or would you rather see us try to go for a more "national" feel? Should we try to get CBJ players or staff?
7. Do the podcasts work better with just one guest, or do you enjoy when we have multiple guests at the same time (i.e., some of the Dan/Matt/Mike episodes)?
8. Would you listen to the occasional Cannon podcast episode that's "off topic" (i.e., music, pop culture, Columbus events, etc.)?

And finally, what should The Cannon's new podcast be called?

The Columbus Blue Jackets have selected Sonny Milano with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have selected Sonny Milano with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Milano, 18, is a left-handed shooting forward prospect who has spent time at both center and left wing. He has played the last two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and has represented the United States internationally on two occasions. Selected with the No. 81 overall pick by the Plymouth Whalers in the 2012 Ontario Hockey League priority draft, Milano opted to play in the United States and is committed to play at Boston College during the 2014-15 season.

Listed at 5'11, 183 pounds, Milano is described as an offensive dynamo with an explosive skill set by the ISS. Milano finished the year ranked as the No. 16 overall skating prospect in the ISS year-end evaluation. His above-average skills are a point of emphasis in his scouting report:

Milano is a highly skilled and elusive forward with below average size. His skating ability, burst, and agility help him navigate his way in and out of traffic and elude heavy physical punishment. He possesses the speed and hands to beat defenders one on one. Has good ice awareness and vision to make plays and find holes. Although Milano is undersized and needs to add strength, he does not play afraid and relies on his elusiveness and hockey sense to be an effective player in the tough areas and in heavy traffic. He has versatility that translates into him being able to play center or wing and being able to play up and down the lineup. Milano is at his best when he uses his speed and smarts to create and distribute pucks off the attack.

With the 16th pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the Jackets draft winger Sonny Milano.

The Jackets used their first round pick on Boston College-bound Sonny Milano, a highly skilled winger from the USNTDP. Milano lit up the USHL playing on a line with Alex Tuch and 2015 Draft-eligible center Jack Eichel.

I love this pick. Milano has hockey sense and skill in spades, and has the ability to be a lethal sniper for the Jackets, unlike any player they have ever possessed.

The added benefit of taking a player who's college bound is the four-year development cycle, versus the two-year cycle for junior and European players before they have to be signed.

Here's our profile on Milano:

Position:C/LW
Current Team: Boston College, NCAA
Date of Birth: May 12, 1996
Place of Birth: Massapequa,New York, USA
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left

A teammate of our #17 profile, Dylan Larkin, Sonny Milano actually ranks one slot higher than Larkin in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings, at #16, and one spot below (#16 vs. #15) in the ISS Rankings, the two players have shared the attention on the national team, albeit via slightly different routes.

As the video highlights below show, Milano has it all in the offensive end, with both the ability to score and find the open man. His total of 86 points in just 58 games catches the attention, and also raises questions. With the ability to post those kinds of numbers at an elite level, why does he not rank more highly in the pre-draft listings?

Consider the following quote on Milano:

He's so dynamic, very good with the puck in traffic and in open ice and can make defensemen look silly. . . He'll allow the play to come to him, take a hit and chirp it up before heading on a 2-on-1 in the opposite direction, resulting in a goal. . . He certainly has the potential of becoming a complete player. -- David Gregory, NHL Central Scouting

Catch that "potential"of being a complete player? Whereas Larkin is hailed as a complete player, Milano is almost universally viewed in offensive terms. Most observers acknowledge that he needs work in the defensive end . . . which is hardly surprising for anyone at this level. Clearly, however, the scouts have seen less progress in this regard than they might otherwise prefer.

Milano is going to have the opportunity to refine his game at Boston College -- having created something of a stir by changing his commitment from Notre Dame to BC rather late in the game. He falls a bit on the small side, but not drastically so. If he can put ten pounds on a 5'11" frame, without losing speed or quickness, he'll be able to hold his own at the NHL level.

A Good Fit in Columbus?

It would be a stretch to consider Milano a top contender for the Blue Jackets' pick in the first round, given the possibility that other players -- including Larkin -- might be available at #16. Still, a truly gifted offensive player is never to be discarded lightly, and funny things can happen in the actual picks come draft day. Figure at least one year at Boston College, and more likely two, and a year in the AHL, Milano might fit nicely in the Columbus "scheduling"of prospective forwards. It will boil down to whether the risks attendant to the rounding out of his game overshadow his skills in the offensive zone. If he does become a true three zone player, however, watch out. The sky is the limit then.

Milano in Action