Alexandre Picard sat in the middle of the Nassau Coliseum visitors' locker room Monday and spoke about his uncertain future.

Four years ago, the Blue Jackets forward was the No. 8 overall pick in the NHL draft. But as veteran teammates were getting healthy, Picard understood the prospect of being placed on waivers loomed.

"For sure, I want to stay here with this organization," Picard, 23, said. "They have been very good for me. I hope I can stay here."

Picard won't know that answer until noon today. The Jackets placed him on waivers yesterday afternoon.

If another organization claims Picard, he will become the third Jackets' first-round draft choice to be jettisoned since June. General manager Scott Howson traded Gilbert Brule (No. 6 overall in 2005) and Nikolai Zherdev (No. 4 overall in the 2003) in separate deals this summer.

"I think he can be an NHL player," Howson said. "He had a good training camp, but he's not playing right now and we need the roster flexibility."

Should Picard go unclaimed -- he has one assist in 43 career games -- the Jackets would not have to put him on waivers to send him to the minors for another 30 days or 10 NHL games. That gives the Jackets roster options should they incur another injury and need immediate help from Syracuse.

Howson said they have not decided whether Picard will be sent down or remain with the Jackets if he goes unclaimed.

Picard has appeared in six games this season.

Organizations are often tempted to take a former first-round draft pick in hopes he can fit into their plans.

Mason starts again

Coach Ken Hitchcock said rookie goalie Steve Mason will start his second consecutive game tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

Mason surrendered four goals on 26 shots in his NHL debut, a 5-4 win Wednesday over the Edmonton Oilers. What most impressed Hitchcock was the mental toughness Mason, 20, exhibited after yielding two quick goals earlier in the third period.

"The thing with that position is you can't have a memory or you will be a nut case," Hitchcock said. "Or, your coach will be a nut case."

Fredrik Norrena will serve as the backup.

Slap shots

Rookie center Derick Brassard did not take part in yesterday's optional practice. He is suffering from the stomach flu and said he felt worse yesterday than he did Wednesday. He missed Monday's game because of illness. Defenseman Rostislav Klesla (wrist) will be a game-time decision. Center R.J. Umberger has a three-game goal scoring streak.

treed@dispatch.com