by Tom Reed, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH , The Columbus Dispatch

In his six NHL seasons, Nash has gone through more setup men than Mariano Rivera. The auditions were often as painful to watch as the early-season episodes of American Idol.

This season, Nash had his center before the ink on his eight-year contract extension in July was dry. Derick Brassard, a gifted and driven second-year player, will handle the assignment.

The Jackets also have their second- and third-line centers in Antoine Vermette and Sammy Pahlsson, respectively.

Never has the franchise entered a season as organized and deep at the pivotal position. The days of converting skilled wingers to centers and asking fourth-liners to play first-line minutes are over, at least temporarily.

The Blue Jackets won't be mistaken for the Detroit Red Wings or Pittsburgh Penguins. But they also won't be confused with the Blue Jackets of old.

"This is the best we have been slotted at center," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We finally have players fit for the (position)."

It's hard to win in the NHL without depth at center, a point the Red Wings drove home like an ax splitting a log in their first-round sweep of the Jackets in the spring.

In the regular season, checking center Manny Malhotra performed admirably between Nash and Kristian Huselius while subbing for an injured Brassard. But Malhotra and the Jackets' top line were overwhelmed by the Red Wings and Henrik Zetterberg in the four-game series.

In the offseason, the Jackets added Pahlsson, a tenacious center with a Stanley Cup ring and Olympic gold medal, and allowed Malhotra and Michael Peca to test the free-agent market. (Malhotra signed with San Jose; Peca remains without a contract.)

Assessing his centers at Jackets media day, general manager Scott Howson said: "We don't run and hide from any matchups now."

The past two Stanley Cup Finals, between the Red Wings and Penguins, have emphasized the import of center-ice depth.

"Almost every successful team is built the same way: goaltender, top-four defensemen and depth at center," Hitchcock said. "Look at Detroit and Pittsburgh. Look at Carolina and Tampa when they were winning Cups. It was down the middle of the ice."

Brassard, 22, might have won the Calder Trophy for NHL rookie of the year if not for the shoulder injury that ended his season last Dec. 18. He possesses the offensive instincts, desire and elan of a top-flight center. His vision, sense of anticipation and creativity might help Nash reach 50 goals.

The challenge for Brassard will be acclimating himself to first-line minutes and responsibilities. Will someone who hasn't played 60 games since his second year of junior Hockey wear down physically and mentally?

"He's going to have to prove himself, but we believe he can do it," said Howson, who signed Brassard to a four-year, $12.8 million contract extension.

Although Vermette, 27, is an established NHL forward, he has yet to play an entire season at center. He had 13 points in 17 games after being acquired at the trade deadline but struggled against the Wings' Pavel Datysuk in the playoffs.

Vermette is among the Jackets' speediest and most versatile contributors. He has meshed with wingers R.J. Umberger and Jake Voracek and likely will see time with rookie Nikita Filatov. In signing a five-year, $18.75 million extension, Vermette expressed a desire to become a leader. His off-ice mentorship of Brassard, who shares the same heritage and agent, could prove invaluable.

"He can help Derick manage the highs and lows that come with being a young player in this game," Hitchcock said.

The talents of Pahlsson, 31, are more nuanced and difficult to detect in the preseason. He was effective in Anaheim playing on a checking line with Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer. Pahlsson probably won't have set linemates early in the season, which could make his transition a bit tougher.

His value will increase in hearty Western Conference games and come playoff time when matchups become key.

The team's last center slot was won by Murray, 27, a converted winger.

The Jackets used to arrive at camp with competent third- and fourth-line centers, but few qualified candidates for the top two slots. Times are changing in Columbus.

treed@dispatch.com

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