The Columbus Blue Jackets' 2003-2004 season ended with a number of highlights and low lights. Demotech presents some of their favorites.
Highlights
Rick Nash - Naturally he is first on our list. In Columbus, when it comes to hockey, he is first on everyone's list. Not only was he voted to play on the All-Star squad, but he was the youngest player to do so in more than 10 years. That is on top of leading the league with the most goals, along with Ilya Kovalchuk from Atlanta and Jarome Iginla from Calgary. Nash played one less game than both of the other leaders, if that is any consolation.
Nash has blown away any projections that the so-called "experts" have given him. He will be the catalyst that will propel the Blue Jackets into the playoffs and beyond as long as Doug MacLean gives him the supporting cast.
Duvie Westcott and Aaron Johnson - They are the future of the Blue Jackets on the blue line. They both have surpassed Rostislav Klesa in terms of production and creativity. Klesa has not blossomed the way management envisioned.
Manny Malhotra - Who wouldda thunk it?! Manny Malhotra and his inspired play were a definite highlight. Nobody in hockey saw that coming. After being tossed to the curb by the Dallas Stars, this hockey vagabond was snatched by the Blue Jackets and plugged into the lineup. He rewarded them with 25 points and boundless energy.
Nikolai Zherdev - Zherdev, who came to Columbus under the cloak of darkness, has been everything people thought he would be. He's a little bit of an actor, but that will disappear with age. He has the speed, flash, and finesse to be a superstar in the NHL.
David Vyborny - Vyborny is maturing into a strong force. He offers a second bright spot for everyone's attention on the ice.
Nash & Vyborny - With Rick and David as a start, Columbus has the potential for a forward line to match any in the league.
2/28/04 Columbus vs. Colorado Game - Not only was it the first victory for the Blue Jackets in 14 previous attempts against Colorado, but it provided a glimpse into a not so distant future where the Blue Jackets are capable of playoff style hockey. By far the most memorable game played at Nationwide Arena this season.
Beating Chicago in the Central Division standings - Columbus is clawing its way up from the cellar in the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons. Yes, it is taking longer than we had hoped, but there is no need to let a disappointing season overshadow the accomplishments entirely.
Low lights
Ray Whitney - Whitney is making a strong impact on the 2004 playoffs. At least we can witness a Blue Jacket alum make an impact.
Alexander Svitov - Svitov can't play. Plain and simple. The big Russian played in 29 games scoring 2 goals, 6 assists for a total of 8 points with a +/- of -8 while playing 12:38 per game.
Andrew Cassels - Cassels recorded 26 points in 58 games and was a -24. This purported high scoring forward did not do much at all. He was injured but he still did not perform when healthy.
Doug Maclean - Maclean continues to bring in veterans who do nothing more than fill out the third and fourth lines. He pays out tons of money and gets little return. He also made the intuitive statement that "if we don't start winnning, we are going to break this thing up and rebuild." What is there to rebuild, Doug? They continue to draft in the top five every year and the Blue Jackets are not exactly a good team playing bad hockey. They are a bad team playing bad hockey, which means there is nothing to rebuild.
Everyone else beating Chicago in the Central Division standings - Accomplishments are not quite the same when almost everyone else does it too.
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