Each Wednesday at noon during the NHL season, Dispatch.com and BlueJacketsXtra.com readers can chat online with either Aaron Portzline or Tom Reed, The Dispatch's Blue Jackets beat writers. Here's a transcript of today's chat with Aaron:

[Rob_(moderator)] What's the word, Porty?
 
[portzline] RW Derek Dorsett activated from IR and will dress tonight vs. Florida.
 
[Rob_(moderator)] And with that, let's get started ...
 
[Rob_(moderator)] This first question comes via e-mail: Hitchcock loves to scratch his young guys, so they can observe they game, which is meant as a learning experience. Why does he not do that with Mason? Why does he constantly work the kid, and rarely give him a break? It seems Hitch hasn't learned a thing from how he over-used Mase last year.

[portzline] I wouldn't go quite that far. Garon has played in 11 games and made his share of starts. Look, if the Blue Jackets are going to go anywhere this season, Mason is going to have to get going. And if you believe every goaltender in the history of vulcanized rubber, they need to play to get going. Mason will go tonight vs. Florida, but Garon will get the start in Nashville.
 
[CBJr4me] Does the CBJ have a problem developing young players? Looking at the other teams that are very close to the CBJ in age seemd to have young players (i.e. 20, 21, 22 years old) advancing much faster than here. Chicago is just one example. Also optional skates - I hope the boys come to the rink and at least watch video.

[portzline] I don't think they have a problem, no. Everybody was thrilled last season with Brassard, Mason and Voracek. Granted, two of those players are off to slow starts, but that's not uncommon. It's not enjoyable for players or management or the fans to go through, but it happens.
 
[jonny1timer] Do you think that all the contract extentions have taken some of the "fire" out of the team?

[portzline] That's an interesting theory. I suppose psychologically that could have an impact, if you know you're set -- both financially and in terms of location -- for many years to come. But at some point personal pride has to kick in. Typically, that's not an issue with hockey players. This club has a high boiling point ... been saying that for how long now?
 
[Moe Bartoli's Ghost] Which BlueJacket team do you expect to take the ice tonight?;)

[portzline] I've stopped predicting. I'm lousy at it. Both clubs have won one of their last nine games, so something has to give. Florida. Wednesday night. Rainy and windy outside. Could be a thin crowd in Nationwide tonight.
 
[klars] Would it be correct to assume that Mr. Howson doesn't have a lot of cash to send, thus,even if he wanted to he is restricted as to what he can do trade wise?

[portzline] I don't think Howson's restrictions are anymore difficult to deal with than other clubs' restrictions. Only difference is, Howson's restrictions are budget-related (re: in-house), while other clubs have to wrestle with being close to the cap limit. I don't believe that's what is holding back any trades, however. By now, fans should know Howson. While some fans are screaming for Hitchcock's head and a trade of Nash, he's embracing patience. Let's be honest -- the Blue Jackets aren't this bad. They'll come out of it. I don't know if they're as good as they expected to be, but a 1-5-3 swoon is not reflective of the talent in the room.
 
[reslawt] what do see is wrong with brass's game this season from last season he seems slower to me

[portzline] I think it's all rooted in confidence. Nothing worked and nothing made sense for the first 25 games of the season. Whereas last season he was allowed to find his groove on the third line and he took most of the NHL by surprise, this season he was put next to Rick Nash and had the other NHL teams waiting for him, with their best defenseman and top checking line. The kid got overwhelmed and now he's digging out. He's been OK the last few games, but at his best this season he's been unnoticeable.
 
[section 105] Attendance seems to be slipping. If the team has a bad season, are they risking their future? Can they stay in Columbus with 13,000 in the stands night after night?

[portzline] They're averaging 15,004 this season, 21st in the NHL. Not great, but not 13,000, either. I don't think their future is jeopardy, no. Call me crazy, and yes I know about all the financial issues. When the teams wins, more people show up. That's the way it works almost everywhere right now. Look at Colorado: one bad year and their attendance bottomed out. They're a good team this year, but they're averaging 14,390. Nobody talks about the Avs moving.
 
[gonnascor3onu] is it going to help having modin coming off his knee injury coming back into the lineup possibly this weekend? from what ive heard he has a very heavy heart in the locker room and although not the best player, the best leader for this team.

[portzline] Well, it can't hurt. Modin may not offer much offensively -- we'll have to wait and see -- but he's an extremely effective player in his own zone, both along the boards and getting the puck out of trouble. R.J. Umberger singled him out as a player who is missed in the room so far this season.
 
[aerophemera] Does the minor league trade just completed portend any coming moves on the NHL roster? Are they building depth in case they lose someone due to waivers, or, are they looking to move a couple of minor leaguers in a trade?

[portzline] I think they wanted to add a depth defenseman to the organization. Beyond Mathieu Roy, I don't think they trust anybody in Syracuse to play regularly in Columbus should a wave of injuries strike. Brendan Bell has played a lot of NHL games, so he plugs that leak if needed. I still think GM Scott Howson is looking for the right deal. He told me the other day that he's made two phone calls, but nothing came of them. So far, nothing appears on the horizon, but it can change quickly.
 
[kmt4413] How can the worst teams in th NHL look great agaist the CBJ on home ice? I dont watch other NHL games; do other average teams have as bad of performances as the CBJ are now known to have?

[portzline] Keep in mind, this is pro sports, and hockey is an 82-game season that has ebbs and flows, often rooted in good luck or bad luck. The Blue Jackets have lots of issues right now -- goaltending, defensive zone play, cohesion between defense and forward, lack of strength down the middle, penalty killing, etc. If you don't play well, you can lose to anybody anywhere.
 
[Dark Blue Jacket] What's the realistic likelihood of McKenzie or Blunden getting snatched off the waiver wire? Or is this a non-issue?

[portzline] Hard to say, because it only takes one team to like a player ... but I'd say Blunden -- younger, bigger, more versatile -- is more likely to be claimed that MacKenzie. Oddly, MacKenzie is probably more valuable to this team right now.
 
[cb2112] Looking at the schedule, it occurs to me that the next week is critical. they face a series of second tier teams that they have to get points from. After the home game with PHX on the 17th, things get more difficult..they risk burying themselves quickly if they don't get it turned around NOW...
 
[portzline] Is this Ken Hitchcock?
 
[BJFan1] Looking at tonights game, what are Florida's big points for the Jackets to watch out for?

[portzline] Well, the one aspect of any opponent's game that is giving Columbus fits right now is a hard, fast forecheck. The Blue Jackets need to establish their own, and when Florida gets rolling, they have to take care of the puck in their own zone. The Blue Jackets are a more talented team, especially with the Panthers missing Booth, Stillman and Campbell. This is a game they should win, especially at home. But the Blue Jackets still have to go out and win it.
 
[klars] Do you think there is an issue of stamina? Playing Hitchcock style hockey is very demanding physically night after night. And especially with a condensed schedule.

[portzline] I would consider that possibility if they'd actually been playing Hitchcock's style, but they haven't been. Every team is tired because everybody is playing a condensed schedule. Right now, the NHL can be broken down into two groups -- one group that's whining about how busy the schedule is, and the other group that's winning hockey games.
 
[RyanC] Do you think Nash will become a more "vocal" captain in the locker-room down the road (if he is not currently)? Could it hurt the team if he doesn't?

[portzline] I'm sure he'll become more that way as he ages and as the games (playoffs and such) become more meaningful. As long as he's surrounded by the right kind of players, I don't think it will hurt the team, no.
 
[section 105] Do you think the League will address these long term contracts that finish with very low salaries? Does anyone think Pronger will play for $1 million his last couple years or that Marc Savard will play for $500K? Can the NHL also penalize teams via the Cap for circumvention, since the CBA clearly states teams may not circumvent the cap?

[portzline] The only way they could punish teams is if they can prove the player and the team entered into an agreement with full knowledge that the player would retire toward the end of the contract, thus taking it off the books. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with these deals. I keep hearing about a "spirit" of the CBA. Bunk, I say. There's no spirit about it. It's a legal document. They need to fix this loophole if they don't like people exposing it. It could be easily done. You could say that no two years during the course of a contract can have a disparity over a certain percentage. Done. Fixed.
 
[Moe Bartoli's Ghost] Looking at the plus - minus stats for the team...some of our "best" players have the worst minus stats. Your opinion?

[portzline] Bingo. Amazing, isn't it? Last year, a very structured sound club was kept in check by its brutal power play. This season, all of the top players numbers are distorted by the power play ... except the plus-minus. Until those numbers start to improve, the Blue Jackets' spot in the standings won't.
 
[klars] Is there a rule, that says, that a player who is not scheduled to play, can not be in the dressing room for moral support?

[portzline] No rule. But it's hard for a player to step forward and be a leader when they're not on the ice. They don't travel with the club, they don't go through practice with the club. It's like they disappear.
 
[jghenson71] I loved watching the Jackets on Versus (finally national exposure), and although they lost I liked seeing Mason upset breaking his stick at the end after the 11-round shootout. Did you hear anything more about that - how did the rest of the team react?

[portzline] To an extent, I think they appreciate his passion, as long as his passion is toward winning, not an anger at how other players are (or aren't) performing. He might be the loudest, most passionate player in the room. Somebody has to be angry, right?
 
[rosebud] What's up with Rick? Trying too hard?

[portzline] No. He has these ups and downs (scoring, anyway) throughout the course of a season. Usually when he snaps out of it, he snaps out in a big way.
 
[RyanC] Was there a decent turnout for the autograph session after the Avs game? For some reason, with their recent slump, I picture the record-signing scene from This is Spinal Tap. The guys do seem to do lots of community things, which is very commendable.

[portzline] I have no idea what the autograph turnout was like. I was writing at the time. Typically, those draw pretty well.
 
[gonnascor3onu] if anyone on the roster is up for a trade whom do u speculate might move?

[portzline] I would guess they'd move a defenseman now to get a defenseman, because they currently constructed group doesn't fit very well. But when Modin comes back -- insert joke here -- they'll have an abundance of forwards.
 
[section 105] I know many fans wanted Laviolette in Columbus, because he's a run 'n gun coach. How long do you think a guy with that style can last with a team like Philly? Can he undo the Broad Street Bullies 40 tradition?

[portzline] The way that roster is constructed, he can run and gun all the wants, but there will always be some guys willing and able to throw down. That's not a bad thing, either.
 
[masonwide_is_on_your_side] What is wrong with this team defensively? Team D was so strong last year, and it's mainly the same core of players, what gives? Is it because they've encouraged their D-men to join the play and the forwards aren't doing a good job of covering?

[portzline] How much time do you have? Commodore was hurt and out of shape early. Hejda got hurt. Stralman and Tyutin have not clicked. Until recently, Russell looked no different in Year 3 than he did in Year 1. There's that. Last year, some of the mess was cleaned up by Mason once the big man arrived from Syracuse. Mason isn't cleaning those messes this year. Also, I've noticed a huge gap between the defensemen and forwards at times this season. So when the defenseman looks up and has no option with the puck, the reason is ... he has no option with the puck. The only guy back there who can skate it out of danger is Russell. Maybe Methot. All of those things and more have led to this.
 
[Lee] What do you make of the lack of attention the CBJ players gave to Foote? With fan reaction, you'd think they'd do it to get the fans going and maybe themselves...

[portzline] If I was a fan, I'd be disappointed. Typically the energy from the fans will steer the team in a certain direction. But there wasn't much energy. The two biggest hits on Foote were MacKenzie and Brassard ... who weren't even in Columbus when the captain hightailed it out of town.
 
[kmt4413] coaching change if they loose the next 5 of 6 or 4 of 5?

[portzline] Hard to say. I think Hitchcock has so much cache in this town -- with ownership, fans, management, etc. -- it would be hard to justify firing a guy with 500 wins and 1,000 games behind the bench. This being pro sports, anything is possible. If they're ugly losses, I guess it's not out of the question. But I'd bet on a lot of other things to happen first.
 
[Moe Bartoli's Ghost] I am really surprized by Boll's shooting skill. Wondering if his sking would improve if he was moved up to line three where he would be setup more often and more skillfully.

[portzline] I don't want Boll skating and shooting if I'm a Blue Jackets coach. I suppose he can skate and shoot, but only if he's hitting and skating and lighting people up like he used to do. If you want purely a skater and shooter, I'm not sure Boller is your guy.
 
[Dark Blue Jacket] We keep hearing scuttlebutt about trades, but I'm not hearing about much more than tinkering at the margins of the team. Would it take a Heatley-caliber player to make a meaningful impact on this team at this point in the season?

[portzline] Don't hold your breath for that. They're aren't going to add a $7 million player with Voracek and Mason extensions possible this summer. My guess is it would an even swap, not a blockbuster.
 
[cbjfn] to piggyback on the defensive question...you always here you build a team from the center out...are we missing the likes of Manny and Jason Williams with their defensive side?

[portzline] I don't think the club is missing Jason Williams. I think they're missing Michael Peca in the dressing room and -- I can't believe I'm going to say this -- Manny Malhotra on the ice.

[flash] Porty, I love the Cannon Fodder and Puck Rakers is first rate, seriously, but there is a serious dearth of local hockey talk on the radio. You and Arace have seem to have some 'chemistry' (no offense to the 'Condor'). Any chance you guys take you act to the airwaves?

[portzline] We'd love to, but it's a package deal. No Condor, no gig. So far, no takers. If you're willing to be our agent, we'll pay our 10 percent in the form of a pot roast sandwich, sweet potato fries and a Straub at the Tip Top Kitchen.
 
[Lee] I was at last Saturday's morning skate for the STH's, were the players acting up or more vocal than usual? I have no frame of reference for how they normally act.

[portzline] I don't know. It's usually a group that doesn't hold back much, but I wasn't at this one and I've not been welcomed at previous events.
 
[RyanC] During games Hitch does not seem to converse directly with the players. Is he more direct in practice and in the locker-room? Is this common at the NHL level?

[portzline] Every coach is different. Hitch will lean in and chat on occasion, if something needs to be addressed. But yes he does talk on the bench. The assistants do a lot of the talking.

[jonny1timer] What ever happened with Shelley? Is this not your prototypical 'Hitchcock player' (big and hits)?

[portzline] You forgot the fact that Shelley rarely scores, thus making him even more of a Hitchcock guy. No, Shelley was scratched a lot here in his final days. They wanted to rest of the room to toughen up without the big heavy looking over everybody's shoulders. (That hasn't exactly worked out, in my opinion.) Would you trade Boll for Shelley? Right now? Today?
 
[cbjfn] so are you still saying that Pahlson is a better pick than Manny or are you retracting?

[portzline] No, give me Pahlsson over Pahlsson anyday. ANd I don't think Malhotra should have been resigned given his ridiculous contract demands. BUt he's a good fourth-line NHL center.
 
[portzline] Sorry, make that Pahlsson over Malhotra anyday.
 
[BJFan1] can you sum up this teams biggest flaw in 3 words?

[portzline] I can name that tune in two notes ... resiliency and passion.
 
[Rob_(moderator)] Thanks, everyone. We'll have a chat transcript posted on Dispatch.com and BlueJacketsXtra.com in a minute or two. Same time and place next week. That's a wrap.