By Chris Lulovics, @CLulovics
Well, the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone. The Blue Jackets decided it was best to stay put and not risk the future of the team. Sure many GM's around the league were calling the front office of the Jackets inquiring about the many young talents the team has but why risk the future for a rental player or draft picks for players who may not work out?
As the past couple of seasons have shown, the team has been playing their best hockey the past couple of months and have shown that this is the team that many expected to see back in October. Sure, they had the worst record in the NHL and were almost a lock for the #1 pick in the upcoming draft, but the team never laid down and never quit. Head coach John Tortorella said the process wouldn't be a short overnight fix. If these past two months have shown anything, its that this team can play like a top tier team. If they can play like this at the early months, then the playoffs are in the future for this young team.
Scott Hartnell, who was rumored to be traded to the Nashville Predators at the deadline, currently leads the team in points and third in goals with a stat line of 21 goals, 22 assists and 43 points. Brandon Saad is tied for the team lead in goals, while coming in second for total points with 24 goals, 17 assists and 41 points. The 24 goals for Saad is a new career high for him in his first season with the team coming in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. Cam Atkinson is third in points while contributing 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points. Boone Jenner is having a good year after last seasons injury plagued campaign 24 goals 14 assists for 38 points. Rookie goaltender and Lake Erie Monster call up Joonas Korpisalo, in the absence of Sergei Bobrovsky who is still out with a groin injury, has been nothing but spectacular while being thrown into a situation that he along with many were not expecting him to be in this season.
The Lake Erie Monsters, who in their past ten games are 5-3-0-2, are currently sitting in the playoffs and playing some of their best hockey even with call ups coming from the bigger club. The future is still bright with the Monsters playing the way they have been and if they can bring the type of play down there up to the NHL then winning ways should be coming back to Columbus.
As always CARRY THE FLAG, MARCH ON, WE ARE THE FIFTH LINE, ALL OF US and see you guys either at Nationwide Arena in Columbus or in downtown Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena.
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