Columbus Blue Jackets

By Eric Geier

Joining the league for the 2001-2002 NHL season, the Columbus Blue Jackets are finally starting to mature into a legitimate NHL franchise behind the likes of young superstar Rick Nash, veterans like Sergei Fedorov and Michael Peca, and the shut-out savvy goaltender Pascal LeClaire. The Blue Jackets are currently fighting and scratching their way to a potential playoff berth, but must continue to play solid hockey behind their proven stars.
Rick Nash, selected first overall in the 2002 entry draft, only 23, is one of the most dynamic players in the NHL. He has been voted to two All-Star teams and was named MVP of the 2007 Canadian World Championship team that won the gold medal. Nash also notched one of the most spectacular goals of the 2007-2008 season against the Phoenix Coyotes. The instant highlight featured Nash taking an outlet pass from Michael Peca with seconds left in the third period with the game tied, juking two would-be Phoenix defenders and lighting the lamp to give the Jackets a last-second win. Rick Nash has already been carved in stone as the best player in Columbus and one of the tops in the entire league. Nationwide Arena in Columbus is already littered with Nash jerseys, as he has become the most popular player in town. The future certainly looks bright for this young star, who is leading the new revival of the NHL. Any valuable memorabilia you can acquire now will only increase in value as Nash will continue to hit the back of the net for years to come in Columbus.
Seasoned veterans Sergei Fedorov and Michael Peca have become important pieces to the playoff puzzle for Columbus. Fedorov memorabilia is always a good pick-up, look for rare pieces, like netting from important goals. He has been in the league for many years, so autographs are a dime a dozen. Michael Peca has been an important wingman for many teams; he has a solid fan base for every team he has played for. Memorabilia for Mike Peca is strong because he has been important in so many cities; if the piece is neutral you will have a better chance of selling it to people in the variety of cities he has played for.
Goaltender Pascal LeClaire has been a breath of fresh air around Columbus, the young net minder is currently leading the league in shut-outs, but was snubbed from the 2007-2008 NHL All-star game despite coming in second place in fan voting. He has a franchise record eight shutouts halfway through the 07-08 season. Other than jerseys and autographs, very little memorabilia has surfaced for LeClaire, but if he keeps up his heroics for the Jackets, his popularity in Columbus and around the NHL will only increase.
Though the Blue Jackets have yet to reach the playoffs, the future looks bright behind Ken Hitchcock, whose first full year as the Jackets head coach has been filled with all the highs and lows of a team vying for a playoff berth. The playoffs are still distant, but many believe that this team has the pieces in place to become a cup contender in the coming years. Behind a roster of young studs and seasoned veterans, the Columbus Blue Jackets are a fresh team on the rise, leading a new class of teams that can help to revitalize the NHL. Investing in a young team, filled with potential and talented stars is always a wise thing to do, because when they finally “make it,” you will have the upper hand on their merchandise. Hop on the wagon now people, because in the coming years, the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be a force in the NHL.

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