Columbus Center Derick Brassard out for the season
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Bill Jempty | Tuesday, December 23, 2008 |
He was tied for the rookie scoring lead before his injury happened. From ESPN-
The rookie disclocated his right shoulder during a fight last Thursday night.
“He’s going to have surgery in early January and he’s done for the year,” Jackets general manager Scott Howson told ESPN.com Monday.
“He’s four to six months out in terms of return to play — closer to six months. So he’s not going to return this year.”
Brassard was tied for the NHL rookie scoring lead with 25 points (10-15) in 31 games and was among the candidates for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
It’s a huge blow to a Jackets team that wasn’t that deep at center to begin with.
Brassard was the sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft and was the NHL’s rookie of the month for October. He has earned points in 20 games this season.
Columbus hockey fans had high hopes for the Blue Jackets to make their first ever post season appearance. This looks rather doubtful now.
Pierre LeBrun at ESPN writes-
Talk about a punch in the gut. The Jackets were three points out of a playoff spot Monday and can ill afford to lose their No. 2 scorer. So now what? Other GMs around the league can expect their cell phones to ring in the near future.
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The Washington Capitals have been shopping veteran center Michael Nylander all season, but we’re told the Jackets aren’t interested. Too much contract left on that baby. Nylander, 36, has two-and-a-half seasons left on his current deal, which pays him $5.5 million this season, $5.5 million next season and $3 million in 2010-11.
They wouldn’t want Florida’s Brett McLean would they? He just scored his first goal of the season last Sunday!
There’s always former Blue Jacket Center Gilbert Brule. Oh never mind about that.
Either way, Brassard’s injury is a huge blow for a team that needed its core players to stay healthy all year to remain in the playoff race. Ken Hitchcock rates among the best coaches in the NHL, but barring a trade, this might be too much to overcome.
The Western is the tougher of the NHL’s two conferences. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Columbus in the post season for at least one more year.
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