Hejda sees what we've all seen

A few media outlets are talking about the comments Jan Hejda of the Columbus Blue Jackets directed towards the Ottawa Senators, and particularly Jason Spezza. Here's the quote, from the Ottawa Sun:

"They didn't play like that on TV. Not the (film) we watched," Hejda, who partners with Mike Commmodore on the Blue Jackets "shutdown" pairing, told the Columbus Dispatch following the game. "Especially (Spezza). He dumped the puck in three or four times. He seemed like he didn't really want to play, like their season was maybe done.

"They're a one-line team. I didn't hear too much about any of the other guys on their team. We felt like if we could stop that one line, we could stop the whole team, and it worked."

It's good to see that I'm not the only one concerned with a waffling work ethic. To be fair, though, it's not just Spezza; it seems that there aren't any Senators who put a good, honest effort every night.

What do you think? Has Spezza thrown in the towel on the season? Who else hasn't played up to expectations? Does Hejda have any right to so harshly criticize another NHLer?

Le sigh: Jackets 1, Sens 0

The Columbus Blue Jackets shut out the Senators.

Did you know Mike Peca still plays in the NHL? Well, he does. And he assisted on the one goal of the game. Jakub Voracek scored the goal.

It's not easy to develop any momentum when you're part of a steady stream to the penalty box, as the Senators were last night: Columbus had six powerplays, and the Sens had 39 minutes in penalties overall. That said, the Sens had 5 powerplay opportunities (although one was about 20 seconds), and still couldn't muster anything.

With a struggling powerplay, maybe Brendan Bell should be a part of the defensive roster. Say what you will about his even-strength play, he's got great puck control skills, good vision, and an ability to drop down into openings that pop up. But, according to radio reports, Brian Lee had a great game, so it makes the decision of who to keep and who to send to Binghamton very difficult.

Alex Auld stopped 25 of 26 shots, but still lost.

Unpretty.

Sens play Washington on Sunday at 12:30. Game's on Sportsnet.

The Rumour Mill: Dancing with Columbus

According to the Ottawa Sun, the Columbus Blue Jackets had two scouts at the Sens game in Boston last night. It's no secret that Columbus brass are desperate to make the playoffs (for the first time in franchise history), and it's similarly no secret that just about everyone on the Senators' roster is available for trade. Ottawa players might not have very high market values right now, but a change of scenery can sometimes shock a player into producing.

According to The Fourth Period, Columbus may be shopping for a first-line forward, a third-line forward, and a puck-moving defenceman. Ottawa's first-line forwards are unlikely to be dealt, and we're more desperate for a puck-mover, but there is no shortage of third-line forwards available right now. Antoine Vermette might be a good fit for Columbus' first or fourth line, but it's unclear what the Jackets might be offering in return. They are shopping first-round choices, but The Fourth Period cites the Columbus Dispatch in suggesting that Columbus is reluctant to dish off a first-round choice.

At this point, with GM Bryan Murray apparently looking at waiving some players to give them away for free and to make some cap relief, even a lower-round draft choice is pretty appealing. Still, if the Sens can turn some of their failed assets into a third first-round pick for 2009 (they've already got their own and that of the San Jose Sharks), the re-building process will be well on its way. It seems pretty obvious, though, that the Sens aren't going to be able to solve their problems in time to salvage this season, so all eyes are on the future.