The Blue Jackets player with the top plus-minus rating is a fourth-line center and veteran of 514 minor-league games.

The next in line is a fourth-line right winger whose biggest statistical contribution is fighting majors.

The plus-minus numbers of Derek MacKenzie (plus-4) and Jared Boll (plus-3) should be a source of pride for the respective players and a source of concern for the rest of the team.

The majority of the Jackets' top forwards and defensemen are minus players, and, in some cases, among the NHL's worst. It illustrates the struggles the Jackets are having at even strength this season.

"We need to help our best players in both ends of the rink be more productive," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Our best players have to be more engaged in both ends."

The merits of plus-minus ratings are debatable in gauging a player's all-around performance, but most agree a very good or bad number is telling. The Jackets top six forwards and top four defensemen, including the injured Rostislav Klesla, are a combined minus-52.

"For us to get to the next level, those numbers have to be better," Hitchcock said. "These are players who are on the ice the most for your team. They have to feel like they are having success."

There are just two players among the league's top-20 scorers who carry minuses -- Jackets captain Rick Nash (minus-11) and Tampa's Martin St. Louis (minus-6).

A skater receives a plus if he's on the ice when his team scores an even-strength or short-handed goal. He earns a minus for being on the ice when his team allows an even-strength or short-handed goal.

Hitchcock said he can understand Nash's frustration because he hasn't played poorly in the defensive end.

"Rick isn't cheating," Hitchcock said. "He's playing hard."

Nash's numbers are partially skewed because more than a third of his 30 points have come on the power play.

Ready to return

Forward Derek Dorsett will return to practice today and hopes to play Wednesday night against Florida. The third-line winger has been out since suffering a concussion Nov. 19 in Dallas.

The Jackets are 1-5-3 in his absence. Dorsett said one is not related to the other.

"We're not on the skids because I was out of the lineup," Dorsett said. "We would have been in the same spot."

Hitchcock, nevertheless, misses the energy and grit that Dorsett supplies.

"Derek is passionate about winning, and you can't have enough players like that in your lineup," Hitchcock said.

Slap shots

The Jackets expect Fredrik Modin (knee) to practice all week as he works toward his season debut. The last time the Jackets lost eight of nine games was at the end of the 2007-08 season, going 1-7-1. Goaltender Steve Mason is expected to make his seventh straight start on Wednesday.

treed@dispatch.com