from Rick Gethin of FoxSports Ohio,

With players looking at Columbus as a destination and not some backwater, the caliber of skill coming into the organization is better. This makes it much easier for Todd Richards to find a role for the players, as most of them are known quantities. This was the case with Scott Hartnell being traded to the Blue Jackets from the Flyers June 23, 2014, while rene Bourque was acquired at the trade deadline in exchange for James Wisniewski March 2, 2015.

"They're veteran guys," said Richards. "Hartnell has been around the league long enough and played enough games. There's a reason why he's played over one thousand games. It's not necessarily 'Blue Jackets hockey'. I think when you acquire players, you understand because they've been around long enough, you know what they can do, what they can bring and maybe what their potential is."

Scott Hartnell has recorded 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points in 67 games this season, while Rene Bourque has accrued 4-0-4 in 8 games since the trade.

"In Bourque's case, maybe it's a fresh start, new surroundings to maybe ignite him and get him going. With Hartnell, you know what to expect when he comes in. Those are players that you're trying to add to your team to add certain things to your team. So, it doesn't surprise me what Hartnell's done this year."

With the Blue Jackets making strides in becoming the team that fans have waited a long time to see, these "changes of scenery" have been beneficial for the players and the club. Knowing who will fit and who to pass on starts at the top with GM Jarmo Kekalainen, along with President of Hockey Operations John Davidson, and filters down throughout the play on and off the ice.

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