Columbus Blue Jackets need more from Thomas Vanek
The Columbus Blue Jackets need more from the biggest scorer acquired at the deadline.
The trade deadline was good for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Without giving up a roster player, they picked up a good 3rd/4th line center that loves Columbus and knows what this team is all about in Mark Letestu. They added depth on the blue line with an experienced D-Man that is already fitting in nicely in Ian Cole.
Their final acquisition just hasn’t had it click yet in four games though. Thomas Vanek, the scoring winger from Austria is pointless in four games and has a -2 rating.
In what was the biggest steal of trade deadline day, Jarmo picked up a winger who had scored 41 points already this year on a bad Vancouver Canucks team. And he did so for Jussi Jokinen, who the Jackets waived the day before, and Tyler Motte who wasn’t going to sniff the NHL this season.
Related Story: Cole to Columbus
But Vanek, who joined the team on the California trip, hasn’t produced yet. He has been unable to slide into the lineup and feel comfortable like the two other trade deadline pickups. The Jackets need that to change desperately.
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Vanek was brought in to help the sluggish offense and inept power play of the Blue Jackets. He has seen time on top lines and on the man advantage but has been unable to produce. There have been opportunities to score that he hasn’t executed the obvious play that have me thinking he is still very uncomfortable with this offense and his role.
On Tuesday he had a great opportunity form about 15 feet out to rip a shot past Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. But instead Vanek attempted a blind backhanded pass towards the slot that was deflected away and a with it a prime scoring chance.
The Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t trade for Vanek for him to be a playmaking winger. They traded for a known goal scorer. Vanek needs to find that scoring touch and start potting goals for this squad.
Next: CBJ Look to go Streaking
Forget ticking off your new teammates, they understand why you are Thomas. Lets start shooting and scoring like you have over your entire career.