NHL Power Rankings 2011 Weekly Update

We're in just the fourth week of another long hockey season, and the overall field is just in the early stages of forming. Let's take a look at some of the early-season rankings and where your Columbus Blue Jackets figure into things. You can probably guess that it isn't great news.

ESPN's number one overall pick in its power rankings should come as no surprise, with the 7-1-0 Washington Capitals setting the pace for the entire NHL thus far. The Jackets' division rivals the Detroit Red Wings clock in at number two, and the Los Angeles Kings are slotted in at third, in large part due to their outstanding goalie, Jonathan Quick.

You'll need to scroll down the list a bit to find the Blue Jackets. All the way to the bottom, in fact. When ESPN wrote up their list, the Jackets were 0-7-1. They've won a game now, but let's be honest: 1-8-1 isn't really anything to crow about. Neither is the fact that Columbus is dead last in all of the NHL with a meager three points. ESPN says, "Something has to give in Columbus." Even this early in the season, that may be an understatement.

FOX Sports on MSN has a slightly more current power ranking up, which also finds Columbus has dropped two slots since last week to land at the bottom. Their comments on the Blue Jackets sum it up rather succinctly:

How sad was that final minute against Ottawa? With his suspension over, James Wisniewski will finally make his debut as the Jackets face a daunting four-game stretch against Detroit, Buffalo, Chicago and Anaheim.

Although there's no use beating a dead horse at this point, The Hockey News also has the Jackets dead last, and suggest that changes are coming soon. Perhaps not soon enough as far as Columbus fans are concerned.