EHM The Blue Line

Hey, I'm in my 4th season and my Columbus Blue Jackets have been pretty low in the standings every year. I have a good 1st and 2nd line, and 2 defensive lines to an extent.

Nash - Brule - Zherdev
Modin - Couture - Vyborny
Picard - Fritsche - R. Niedermayer
Isbister - Brassard - Pahlsson

Now my top 2 lines get over 60 points for each of em.. normally the first line gets around 80 points each.

My defense has depth but no really GOOD D-Man,

Bieksa - Wilson
Westcott - Foote
Tverdovsky - Hendrikx

Foote brings leadership and allround good game, Wilson and bieksa are good scorers for me.

My goalies are a problem although Huet has a Superb reputation and 5 Green Technicals, he has a SV% of 0.901 and a GAA of 3.59. I don't think he is a bad goalie but he is defiantly not a franchise goalie. My backup is Leclaire that the pre-draft analysis always calls a starting goaltender with the ability to steal games.

Anyways, some ideas or tips for my next post season will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Wes

You really need a first line center. I highly doubt Brule is ready for the #1 or even #2 spot. I also think you need a 2nd line center. 80 points for Zherdev and Nash really isn't that good for those 2 guys.

You really need to make a move and bring in at least 2 really good Dmen, such as Regehr, Witt, or even a guy like Chara, or Pronger. Goalies are hard to come by unless they reach free agency so I guess you can only work with whats available.

Overall, your tactics could maybe use a change up, but I really think you just need to bring in some better players.

I would agree with you on Couture.. But Brule has led my team for the past 2 years in assists and points. Nash has had in the 90's, I just used 80 to average it out a bit cause Zherdev had a bad year last year. But I do agree on a 2nd line center and new Defence.

100% sure of this..you are too young at center.

Brule takes 5-6 years to develop into your #1 guy, and even then you would need someone behind him. You need a more veteran presence down the middle. No question about it.

On D--IN EHM Foote is brutal (not attributes-just play), Bieksa (unless you have altered attributes, and actually that goes for every comment I make) is nothing more than a 4-6 dman. Westcott is usually a cut when I use the bugs, even without a trade, cause he is terrible. Hendrikx is in the right spot at #6. 4 years in Wilson is what 23? And you have him on the top pairing? No way..too young.


And if I recall correctly from past posts about your teams, you have had tactic issues. So...

Merry Christmas...but blow up this team. Brule should be a 2nd line centre, but you have likely pushed him too fast. Read my Blue jackets blog on Brule. The season after I stop writing it??? he scores 135 pts as a 1st line center.

You need some decent veteran help on the blue line and down the middle period.


Brule is not a playmaker...should have a playmaking vet with Nash, Zherdev.

Lose Huet. But go slow with Leclaire as well. Split duties with another goalie next season.