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)] Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week's Blue Jackets chat, otherwise known as the meeting of lost souls. If you've got questions for Aaron Portzline, start sending them now. We'll get started at about noon. Thanks.

[Rob_(moderator)] Ready to drop the puck, Porty?
 
[Portzline] Drop it already!
 
[ol'centerman] Eventhough we have shown some signs of life, it seams the Coaches don't get our young guys pumped up for the start of a game ?? Also, it seams like we skate in slow motion sometimes ?

[Portzline] I could see that, but it's not just the young guys who haven't started well. As stated before, this group does have -- how to say this ... -- motivational issues. They need to be prodded into the fight too often. And, yes, I think team speed is an issue, especially on the back end.
 
[dave] If management believes that we won't make the playoffs this season and if management beleives Steve Mason is the goaltender of the future and they rode him hard last season, why wouldn't they ride him hard the rest of the way with 20-25 starts...is there something we're missing here?

[Portzline] Well, they aren't going to make the playoffs. Management hasn't said that, and I can't blame them for it. Why wave the white flag prematurely? Having said that, there will come a time -- and soon -- where the young guys will have to be played higher in the lineup. Goalies are different; they'll have to judge if its best for Mason to struggle his way through it, or finish as the back-up. But Brassard will need to be put next to Nash and told to work it out. Otherwise, you're wasting the final 15-20 games.
 
[justaguy] it certainly looks like there has been a commitment by the powers that be to open up the offense and "let the kids play", how has this been communicated and received in the room?

[Portzline] There has not been a change of philosophy or system, but clearly they have seemed more energized offensively ever since the second Chicago game. It's only been three games, though, so I'll reserve judgment. If the coaching staff has backed off it's "dump and chase" demands, I'm sure it's been welcomed.
 
[justaguy] is the more open style of play an edict from the executive suite, or a response from Hitch to the players growing frustrations?

[Portzline] Again, I'll reserve judgment. It's been three games now that the Blue Jackets looked like a somewhat threatening offensive club. The difficulty all season has been finding a balance between creating scoring chances and not allowing a boatload of them. Have they found it? Well, they're 1-2-0 in the last three, so it's not exactly a turn-around.
 
[degoodman] So is there any scenario in the next 6 weeks that allows us to keep Raffi? Mase is well on his way to not earning a massive raise, and Modin's salary goes bye bye after this season. Seems like with his output, and comparing him to Umburger, starting his contract where Freddy's contract leaves off and a fair annual raise would be a good deal for both sides

[Portzline] No, I would think Raffi is gone. Put it at 90-10. My guess is they get a second or third round pick. Modin is gone, too. CBJ fans might be surprised, but he's a guy who could draw interest at the deadline, too. Let's face it: the club underperformed. The status quo will not be maintained. It's not these players faults, necessarily, but the mojo in the room must be changed. I wouldn't be shocked to see Jared Boll -- an upcoming RFA -- on the move, too.
 
[18 & 22] Voracek has great size and speed and utilizes his body well. However when entering the zone he always seems to fumble and lose the puck to easy. Is this a classic example of a young player trying to do to much or perhaps more skill related?

[Portzline] I think it's the former. He needs to learn to protect the puck better, and he will. If you'll recall, Voracek didn't really try to take on defenders one-on-one with the puck last season. Those fumbles, in an odd way, should be seen as progress.
 
[soon to be ex season ticket holder] How can the ownership believe that not making some change at coach or gm will aid in season ticket holder renewal? I need to see change in the near future to renew for 2010-2011.

[Portzline] Well, it's a difficult situation, but the ownership may look at it very simply like this: they still believe Ken Hitchcock is the best coach for this club, and they still believe GM Scott Howson is the right man to run the operation. They need to weigh their views with the very legitimate views of ticket holders like you. The most difficult move to make sometimes is no move at all. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
 
[Lase] I haven't heard anything about the state of the franchise recently. Are CBJ here to stay, or whats the word on that?

[Portzline] Well, there's been no movement on readjusting the lease agreement, so that doesn't appear any closer to being fixed. I still think the situation is a long way from having to worry about the club moving. Look how hard the NHL fought to keep Phoenix in Glendale, and 'Yotes are in much worse financial shape. Also, the Blue Jackets have an ownership group of all local folks, all of whom have a vested interest in keeping the Arena District rolling. If you look at it from that direction, losing $8 million (or so) per year is nothing compared to what they'd lose with an abandoned Arena District.
 
[juiceissoft] As everyone is sick and tired of talking and hearing about filatov, i must wonder what is next? It seems like he will be traded but for what? Realistically what would a prospect like filatov bring in?

[Portzline] That's very hard to say. He's still considered a high end prospect. He could be dealt at the trade deadline if the deal is right with the handful of teams who will be out of it at that point. But, an off-season trade is more likely, especially to a club that needs salary cap relief. I can't see him playing in Columbus again, not until there's a change behind the bench. The kid has tried to paint the organization into a corner; he may have painted himself into one at the same time. Me thinks he wants to be traded.
 
[aerophemera] What was the significance of mentioning the list of scouts at the game last nite? Would the Jackets be pre-emptive buyers or sellers this far from the trade deadline on 3 MAR?

[Portzline] Well, there is lots of talk that deals will get done before the Olympic break, because the NHL tradeline is only a few days afterward. I'm not sure I buy that, however. I think it'll still come down to the two or three days before the deadline. But, with half of February carved out for the Olympics, there aren't many games left to see for evaluation purposes.
 
[Cobra] What's your view on the depth of the team? I keep hearing how young we are, this season is part of growing pains, and that we finally have depth after all these years. But, when I see the Crunch at the bottom of the AHL it makes me doubt the quality of this "depth".

[Portzline] Well, there is veteran depth at the NHL level. They Blue Jackets have eight defensemen and 13 NHL forwards. To me, that's what's meant by depth. The AHL roster is troubling. There is no much hope on the horizon. The club still believes in Sestito, Mayorov, Clitsome, Holden, etc., but they have not had breakout seasons. Not at all. Picard just cleared waivers for the 214th time. He almost certainly gone to another organization this summer.
 
[RPatty86] With Freddy Modin coming to the end of his contract this season, and the positioning of this team in the playoff race, he is very likely to be considered trade bait right now. Is there a market for him, considering he has been healthy for 88 games over the past 3 seasons? Does he get paid an "injured rate" instead of the full paycheck when he's injured?

[Portzline] I would think that Modin would be attractive to clubs wanting a depth veteran for the playoff drive. He's won a Stanley Cup, remember, with Tampa Bay. Don't know what he'd draw, but probably a mid- to low-end draft pick. NHL contracts are guaranteed, so he does get a full paycheck even when he's injured. However, the Blue Jackets have insurance on all these contracts, so if they're injured for a certain number of games, the insurance picks up a portion of their salary.
 
[ol'centerman] Do you think that the Captain "C" should be given to someone else and take some of that pressure off Rick and hopefully make him perform better ?

[Portzline] No, too early for that. That's not a decision that should be made lightly, in my opinion. Plus, is there a player on the roster that just screams "Captain" right now. A guy who looks like such a good candidate that you could justify alienating Nash? I don't think so.
 
[struggling CBJ fan] What's the updated timetable on Rusty Klesla, and do you think the defense will see a substantial improvement when he returns?

[Portzline] He's expected back in early February. That was the word last weekend, anyway. He's been skating for a while now. As for your second question: I think it will improve, but not dramatically so. They gave up a lot of goals when he was in there, you'll recall, and Klesla's never been known for his transition play.
 
[Blais] Any news/update on Chimera?

[Portzline] He has 2-4-6, +2, and 28 PIMs in 10 games with Washington. He's had two fights in that span, too, taking on Jay Rosehill and Greg Campbell. He'll be a fine addition to the Caps, who will play Chicago in the Stanley Cup Final.
 
[Graham33] Why would they make a deal for Chris Clark saying they need veteran leadership and then trade Raffi? Modin has definitely underperformed, as has Tyutin. Why not keep Raffi? He's worth $3M easy

[Portzline] Clark is a different kind of leader than Torres, from what I can tell. Clark has been a captain before; Torres drags the rest of the club into the fight with the energy he provides. Nothing wrong with that, just saying they're different. I like Torres a lot; I wouldn't be opposed to signing him at $3 million. But he is a bit of a wildcard player -- not exactly polished in his own end and wildly unpredictable all over the ice.
 
[justaguy] if, as you say, the message from the coaching staff has not changed, does the recent change in playing style mean the players have "gone native" and are no longer heeding the instructions from the coaching staff?

 
[Portzline] It's been three games. We shall see. To me, Rick Nash has started scoring, Derick Brassard -- other than last night -- has looked pretty dangerous and Raffi Torres and R.J. Umberger have scored greasy goals. They have looked competent, I'll grant you that. But I'm not ready to call it a change in playing style. Not yet anyway.
 
[firethecannon] In regards to players being moved at the deadline, what is Huselius's value? I wouldn't be disappointed to see him gone.

[Portzline] He would have value to a club like Pittsburgh, but his contract is such that he's pretty much here to stay. He's making $4.75 through 2011-12, so learn to tolerate him for two more seasons after this one.
 
[Moe Bartoli's Ghost] Did you get a chance to mix with the "hockey dads" last yesterday? Neat concept and they seemed to really be enjoying themselves.

[Portzline] Got to mingle a bit with them on Sunday and Monday before they left town. I haven't seen so many older gentlemen smiling in years. This has been done by other clubs for many years now. Nashville has done it the last eight years or so. It's a nice touch. Good to see the Blue Jackets joining in.
 
[aerophemera] Were the Jackets management hoping the downtown location of the casino would generate more attendance?

[Portzline] No. If anything, they were fearful that it would draft traffic away from the rink and away from the surrounding restaurants. Also that it would detract from the image of the district. Not sure how well-founded those fears are/were, but that was the feeling.
 
[Jeff W] Seems to me that despite all the experience Hitch has, he's learning something this year about how to coach young players. What's your impression?

 
[Portzline] When Hitchcock first starting coaching at the NHL level, his Dallas Stars did not play well within the system he coached. He calls it a pivotal moment in his career, and credits Bob Gainey and others with helping him develop a system that would work and would keep him in the game for the many seasons that have followed. Seems to me he's at another crossroads here, not so much in terms of style but in terms of trust. Look around the NHL: young players are being set loose all over the place, and the clubs are putting up with the good and the bad in order to get them up to snuff. WIth the new CBA, you can't wait until the age of 24 to start getting something out of the player. They're free agents at 27. Hitch may be at a similar crossroads now, later in his career.
 
[BJFan1] Scenario: We keep playing hard, winning games, and essentially screw ourselves out of the lottery. Filatov + our 1st round pick to the team with the #1??? Thoughts?

[Portzline] That could very well happen, but my guess is that would be more likely for the No. 2 overall pick. Something to consider. Not crazy.
 
[runandgun] Is it just me or has Nash looked much more aggressive the last few games? Was it the excitement of putting a few goals in the net that did it, or is Nash just paying harder and as a result scored the goals. All season I have felt like Nash has played in spurts...

[Portzline] Nash always plays in spurts, doesn't he? The three previous games -- one shot on goal per game -- were below his bar, but he has roared back, just like everybody expected he would. Also, once a player like Nash breaks out of a slump, the energy level skyrockets. They can taste the goals.
 
[Jacket For Life] I believe Garon still has another year on his deal but would he fetch any interest at the deadline?

[Portzline] He probably would, yes, but given Mason's struggles this season, I'd find it hard to imagine that they would deal Garon. If they got blown away, maybe, but then they'd have to spend this coming summer looking for another back-up (starter?), and what's the point. They know what they have in Garon. Yes, he is signed through 2010-11.
 
[BUD] In the St.Louis game at the beginning of the 2nd period the ref. #7 got hit with a wrap around by the blues it droped at his feet he looked down at it then made a distinct kicking motion to clear the puck out of the zone yes the ref. our commentators blew off the coment as maybe he did not see it no way, he knew what he was doing...... coments

[Portzline] I wonder if the war room in Toronto ruled that it was a distinct kicking motion. I didn't see that, to be honest. I'd like to see a video replay before commenting. But, given your description, that's a poor, poor play by the ref. He should leave it alone, no matter how much his interference affected the puck.
 
[El Guapo] I guess our arena accidentally played a 'Hawks celebration song after they scored on us. Ooops. Are personnel even supposed to be aware of something like that? I wonder if they ever play "Machinehead" by Bush at the Pengrowth Saddledome when we're in town?

[Portzline] NEWS: G Steve Mason will start on Thursday in Boston.
 
[Portzline] Two different issues: Machinehead was the song the Blue Jackets took the ice to, not the goal song. As I see it, the goal song in all 30 arenas should be known by the people who operate the music. It's not hard to find. Google, folks. Or pick up the phone. Certainly, other arenas play "For Those About To Rock" ... but they wouldn't do it after the Blue Jackets scored a goal. To have Blackhawks fans cheering and laughing at Blue Jackets fans as their goal song played in Nationwide Arena ... ouch.
 
[RikkiLake] Do players get a say in the amount of marketing and advertising they're subjected to? Seeing Klesla giving out sliders to fans trapped in line with a camera following him around seems demoralizing. The Nationwide commercials on the radio are pretty awful too.

[Portzline] Players are asked by the club to participate in all sorts of marketing -- reading to classes, the style show, foundation events, etc. Almost all the players are very good about, but some are more willing than others. As for the Nationwide commercials ... yeah, they're rough ... those would be at the behest of the players. They would be compensated for that, unless there's an agreement b/w the club and one of the championship partners.
 
[Lee] Of the current roster (including AHL) who would you consider our best chips when it comes to trading away, who we would actually trade away too?

[Portzline] Nikita Filatov, Raffi Torres, Jared Boll, Fredrik Modin, Milan Jurcina ... those would be the top five likely to move.
 
[jackets_n_buckeyes] Any updates on John Moore? Other than stats. Are his coaches liking his progression?

[Portzline] Haven't talked to his coaches. The fact that he didn't make the U.S. world junior club was a setback. I would expect to see him in Columbus next season, if not at the start of the season, certainly by the mid-point or the end. When this season is officially in playing-out-the-string mode, we'll start turning our focus to more stories like that.
 
[sportsbigamist] Now that Petr Sykora has cleared waivers, do you think the Blue Jackets might have an interest in him?

[Portzline] No. Not at all. If they were in the race and struggling to score maybe, but they aren't in the race and they're not adding payroll. He'd only take up a spot from a young player in the top two lines.
 
[Rob_(moderator)] Thanks, everyone. A transcript of today's chat will be posted on Dispatch.com and BlueJacketsXtra.com in a minute or two. That's a wrap.
 
[Portzline] Thanks very much for the questions. Was that an hour?