About time Poile pulls the trigger on that. Nashville is going to be a tough, tough out this post season. Seth Jones, I hope you like blocking shots!
Still can't believe Tortorella was hired by Davidson, who I have lots of respect for. I guess we all make mistakes but it is just mindboggling he is coaching in the NHL !
I'm surprised they dealt Jones, but for Johansen it makes sense. I rather have Johansen than Kreider let's say, so not sure we had anyway to match this...plus almost no shot CBJ would deal him in division. I agree...Nashville looks really good now. The West is stacked again. The only team in the East I think is big time is the Caps. That's why we are still in good position. The East is whatever outside of the Caps... and in one 7 game series anything can happen.
You make it seem like Nashville gave up nothing. They gave up a franchise defenseman talent. Now they are really a one pair defense team because Ellis can't play defense for crap. However, to me, it will be easier for Nashville to draft solid defenseman at their draft spot than a number 1 center. Columbus on the other hand sucks at drafting defenseman. So, this is a huge add for them. Plus, they are stacked with forward talents. Stacked at center with Dubinsky, Jenner and Wennberg. The deal makes a lot of sense for both teams. You're lost if you think Columbus got robbed. Puhlease. You obviously didn't research their farm. They also have 3 very talented centers in the system.
Dump, i agree that Jones is very good and agree with your overall point, but i think that NSH comes out ahead because A. i think Jones at this point is more about potential while Johansen has already proven he's a stud, and B. in my opinion, in today's NHL with lower scoring it's easier to get top D than a 1st line C.
Johansen is not a proven stud. His career high is 71 points . Jones is not just a franchise defenseman talent. He's a right handed, 6'4, franchise defenseman talent. Almost impossible to find. I like Johansen and would have liked to have him here. However, it's like asking if you would have traded McDonagh for him. The answer is no. It doesn't help your team any more going forward. You need to be able to shut other teams franchise centers down also. The bottom line is that Columbus has 3 good centers on the roster already. Two who are very young and can get a lot better. They also have 3, high quality defenseman prospects in the minors. The deal if anything was a steal for them. They dealt from a position of strength to fill a major area of weakness. Nashville did something similar but to me, they aren't nearly as deep on defense as the Jackets are at center. Ellis blows defensively. If Columbus can find somebody so stupid to trade for Jack Johnson now, they will have won the lottery.
They still can shut other franchise centers down, their top 2 defenseman remain on the roster. With that kind of dman depth I think this trade was a no brainer for Nashville. I'd trade McDonagh for him if we had zero centers worth a damn and still had two more McDonaghs on the roster.
I think they are head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the teams in the East. Of course that doesn't mean they are a lock to make the SCF, but they are going to be darn tough to beat. We need to stay in the 2/3 spots, which I think we will, and hopefully get our shot at the Caps in the 2nd round. Plus is we seem to always beat the Caps in the playoffs. Minus is they are really loaded this season AND due to finally beat us in a series. Long time until we have to worry about that though. First we need to improve this team to even be in that position. Another scorer is needed IMO. Figuring out what to do with Yandle will be interesting to watch play out.
Who are the centers that Columbus has waiting in the wings to replace Johansen ? I dont see much on their AHL team. 2013 first round pick Wennberg has 7 goals in 97 games.
Wennberg is 21. He should start putting up more points now that Johansen is gone. Jenner is 22 and has 14 goals this season. Milano has a good chance to eventually be a 60+ guy. His skill set is perfect for the NHL. Johansen goes to the Preds. Has 1 G, 1 A and the Preds give up 5 goals and lose. It's not always about offense. You give up one of your top 3 defenseman and you are going to take a hit there. Then again, Jones was a -2 and the Jackets loss to the Canes 4-1. Torts again showing his teams don't score.
