Blue Jackets Midseason Report

First off, I am glad to say this my 100th post. I honestly wasn't sure if this sports blog would be good or even read by anyone when I started it but 99 posts later, it's still here and I know of at least 4 people that read this regularly. For that, I say thanks.

Moving on...how bout them Blue Jackets! I know many of you are not hockey fans or if you are, not CBJ fans, but hey, this is an equal-opportunity blog. And as a CBJ fan, it's time to talka about the first half of the season.

41 games down, 41 to go and so far I must say, I am feeling really optimistic. I have felt this before as a CBJ fan but this is the best feeling yet.

First off, the team sits right now just one point out of the 8th playoff spot. That alone is a reason to be happy. Just a win in Tuesday's game against Colorado and they're in the top 8. Most years, the CBJ were at least 4-6 points away and fans had to pray. This year, it at least looks realistic.

Also, the recent 6-game road swing the team went on could have been the end for this team. Trips to places like Detroit, Washington, Anaheim and Colorado should have killed this team but instead, the Jackets finished the road trip 4-2. If that doesn't look like a playoff-caliber team, then I don't know what does.

Of course, mad props have to go to the young guns. First, Derick Brassard. Yes, he's injured and out for the season but what he did for the CBJ in 31 games was huge. 10 goals, 15 assists and a spark at the center position, something the CBJ hasn't seen in its existence. And hey, he even injured himself by sticking up for a teammate.

Jake Voracek at the age of 19 has chipped in 20 points and helped liven up an old second line. Derek Dorsett and Jared Boll continue to shake things up with a fight every game, giving the team much-needed energy. And how about this year's draft pick, 18-year old Nikita Filatov. 4 goals in 6 games, including the team's first hat trick of the season.

But no one deserves as much credit for where the CBJ are than goalie Steve Mason. He was called up thanks in injuries. Now, he may never go back. he has 15 wins, 6 shutouts, and an NHL best .938 save percentage. He has played out of his mind so far. And at the age of 20, let's just hope he hasn't reached his prime or get tired. I mean, he is just 20.

So what's the future look like for the Jackets? Well, as seen by the play of the young guns, there is plenty of talent there despite the numerous injuries. Rick Nash, Raffi Torres, Pascal Leclaire, Jason Chimera and so on. Once these players get back, this team becomes that much more dangerous.

The schedule is much kinder to the CBJ too. No more 6 -game road trips. In fact, the longest road trips for them now are a couple 3-game road swings in Western Canada. In fact, in mid-January, they start a stretch of 11 of 14 games at home. And they've been pretty good there lately, winning 7 of their last 8.

Plus, there is money in the cupboard to use to upgrade this team still. And considering how big a playoff berth would mean for this franchise and the city, I wouldn't be surprised to see CBJ ownership pull out all the stops.

So 41 games left. What's my prediction? Well, call me crazy, but I'm thinking this team finally makes the playoffs. I wasn't willing to do that in the preseason because I wasn't sold on the team gelling quick enough. But thanks to the amazing play from young guns and great coaching from Hitch and crew, I have faith.