A year ago, the Blue Jackets acquired Sammy Pahlsson for crucial, late-season games that never materialized. They asked him to anchor a third line that changed members on an almost weekly basis.
One of the game's most respected checking centers was plunged into a chaotic scene complete with the firing of a coach, the questioning of a team's fitness level and the unraveling of young talent.
It's as if Daniel Day-Lewis had been added to the cast of Jersey Shore.
"When you start losing, everyone comes into the rink (ticked) off instead of happy," Pahlsson said. "That's not a good environment, at least not for long stretches, but that's what it was like. It was tough on everybody."
With a new coach in place and stability at least temporarily restored, Pahlsson is supplying the type of gritty performances the Jackets envisioned when they signed him to a three-year, free-agent contract in July 2009.
He was more noticeable in the Jackets' season-opening weekend games against the San Jose Sharks in Sweden than perhaps at any point last season. In two games, Pahlsson, 32, helped neutralize Joe Thornton at even strength, threw at least a half-dozen crunching checks and centered the Jackets' most effective line with Ethan Moreau and R.J. Umberger.
In overtime Saturday, he tracked Sharks winger Dany Heatley through the neutral zone and stapled him to the boards at the Blue Jackets blue line, forcing a turnover. It was vintage Pahlsson from his days with Anaheim, and it led to Moreau's winning goal.
"It would have been real easy for him to slow down and let (Fedor) Tytuin play the one-on-one, but he dogged the puck all the way back ...," coach Scott Arniel said. "That's what you want to see from your top people, and he's known for that."
With the Ducks, Pahlsson was a 2007 Selke Trophy finalist for top defensive forward in the NHL. He played with the same wingers, Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer, for three-plus seasons, and their responsibilities rarely changed.
Such continuity proved elusive last season. In a search for the right line combinations, former coach Ken Hitchcock was forever moving parts. Some nights Pahlsson was matched against a specific line, other nights he wasn't.
He finished with a career-low three goals and seemed to get lost in the upheaval surrounding him. His season supported the theory that it's hard to be a good checker on a bad team.
"It was difficult to analyze," general manager Scott Howson said. "We brought him here in part to play in those tough, pressure-filled games late in the season, and we really didn't play in them. ... We also didn't have a true checking line."
As training camp opened, Arniel pledged to return Pahlsson to his familiar role. He wanted him pitted against the opponent's top lines and provided wingers suited for the task.
Moreau, acquired on waivers from Edmonton, was eager for the opportunity to play with Pahlsson.
"Our years probably mirrored each other last season," Moreau said. "I think it's a fresh start for both of us."
Pahlsson is valued for his penalty killing and ability to win faceoffs. But Arniel, along with linemates Moreau and Umberger, believe he also will supply more offense this season. He had an assist in the first game and his line generated several quality scoring chances against the Sharks with a persistent forecheck.
Pahlsson is encouraged by the start to the season.
"It feels good right now," he said. "It's easy to play with good linemates and feel like you are contributing again."
treed@dispatch.com
Ups and downs
A look at Blue Jackets center Sammy Pahlsson's statistics
Season Team Gms G A PIM
2000-01 Bos./Ana. 76 4 5 20
2001-02 Anaheim 80 6 14 26
2002-03 Anaheim 34 4 11 18
2003-04 Anaheim 82 8 14 52
2005-06 Anaheim 82 11 10 34
2006-07 Anaheim 82 8 18 42
2007-08 Anaheim 56 6 9 34
2008-09 Ana./Chi. 65 7 11 34
2009-10 Columbus 79 3 13 32
