Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
February 5, 2001

Sanderson is leading his team in shots on goal (155) and points (42). (Allsport)

Check out what Columbus left wing Geoff Sanderson had to say about his expansion team's season.

Sanderson is leading his team in shots on goal (155) and points (42). He has 23 goals and 19 assists and a plus/minus ratio of -3. He played in his 700th NHL game vs. Colorado (1/6) and scored a goal.

For his career, Sanderson has 479 points (248 goals and 231 assists). The Blue Jackets are 17-26-5-4 and play St. Louis on Tuesday.

Geoff Sanderson: Thank you for logging on. I appreciate it. I look forward to answering as many questions as I can.

Question: marty3: Describe what it's been like playing for The Columbus Blue Jackets during their Inaugural Season in the NHL?

Geoff Sanderson: It has been very exciting. Any time you are part of something brand new, especially in the NHL, it is exciting. We have had a lot of fan support here in Columbus and it has been a great experience.

Question: erric: Is there any difference with playing on an expansion team than a team that has been around for a while and has roots?

Geoff Sanderson: Yes. The difference is, in an expansion team, you do not have the pressure and expectations you'd have on an established team. On the other hand we have our own pressure and expectations of each other. Obviously the pressure from the fans and media is not there, so it is different in that regard.

Question: livechat: What has been the highlight of the season for you so far?

Geoff Sanderson: For me personally I think it has been beating the teams that are top in the league.. the elite teams. We have beaten Phoenix, we went to OT with Detroit a few times, OT with St. Louis. So I think that just winning every game is a highlight. The OT win against Boston was exciting for me and the win in Buffalo as well.

Question: optimist: You started your career with the Whalers and played there for quite a while. How hard was it to see that team move out of Canada and what do you think should be done, if anything, to keep/get more NHL teams in Canada?

Geoff Sanderson: I think you mean Hartford. I don't know what can be done to keep teams in Canada. Was I disappointed to see the Whalers move? Yes. They made a good effort to keep the teams and were drawing enough to keep the team in Hartford. But I think it just wasn't meant to be when the team was sold to a new owner.

Question: bluezfan: What's it like playing for Coach Dave King? What is there about him that has made him such a success everywhere he has gone?

Geoff Sanderson: I think King is a great teacher, first before anything. He teaches us the fundamentals of our system and the basics of hockey, which we work on a lot. He is demanding when he has to be and works well with the players. His theories and system are all very effective.

Question: marty3: How important has Goaltender Ron Tugnutt been to the Blue Jackets success this NHL Season?

Geoff Sanderson: Well, he has been the biggest factor in all of our wins, probably/ We can't win without good goaltending. Tuggers has been good or great in all of our games. He has been the biggest contributing factor in all the games we have won.

Question: optimist: Who has really stepped up to be the leader of this team?

Geoff Sanderson: We get leadership from all areas of the locker room. From Tugger in the net, to Odelein, Tyler Wright (leads by example), Knudsen, Pushor.. we have had a lot who have stepped it up.

Question: varadafan: Hey Geoff, how is it going. did it make it easier to go to columbus with a fellow teammate in Jean-Luc Grand Pierre?

Geoff Sanderson: It made it easier because I played with him the season before. But a lot of guys here I have played with in Hartford/Carolina. So I had player with 6 or 7 people before and that made it an easier transition in the locker room.

Question: bluezfan: How hard is it for players when they get traded?

Geoff Sanderson: It really depends on the situation. Some need to get out of the situation they are in so they look forward to it and it is easier when they are traded. But the players who aren't looking for it.. maybe with kids in school.. it catches them off guard and when they aren't wanting to be traded it is really hard.

Question: puckhead: What part of your game do you think is the strongest?

Geoff Sanderson: This year it is my offense. I have been fortunate to play with Espen at center and he has set me up on a lot of plays and increased my numbers more than they have been in years. That is the biggest part of my game this year.

Question: bluezfan: What do you think has been the biggest improvement in the team from the beginning of the season til now?

Geoff Sanderson: Definitely our team defensive play. That starts with the defensemen and the way the forwards play defense. Early in the season we lost leads from poor defensive play. The last 20 games or so we have improved and can win those 1 goal games. We are doing better against the high-scoring teams in keeping them off the boards.

Question: jackalfan: What do you think of the prospects coming up from Elmira, and Syracuse, your UHL and AHL affiliates?

Geoff Sanderson: Our future looks bright. We have Rusty, who was the MVP at the juniors.. and many more. And the younger players on the team. The bright future is not too far away.

Question: liz: It seems that you guys get beat on the boards. What have you done to change that?

Geoff Sanderson: In practice we work on 1-on-1 battles in the corners and 2-oon-2. And winning races to the pucks. Kinger's worked on that in the past month. That has been a big improvement in our game, winning the 1-on-1 battles on the boards.

Question: varadafan: I always wanted to know, whats it like to play in front of 18+ thousand fans?

Geoff Sanderson: It is quite an honor, to tell the truth. It is something you always dream about. The first time you do play in front of a packed coliseum it is amazing. Wonderful to play in front of such crowds.

Question: marty3: Describe what it's like to "Compete" against The Greatest Hockey Players in the NHL as a Player?

Geoff Sanderson: Early in my career, when I would get on the ice against them, I was in awe against Gretzky and Borque and all. Now you have to pay attention and aren't so much in awe as you do what you have to do to beat them.

Question: varadafan: How do you feel about super mario coming back and playing, and playing almost better than before at that?

Geoff Sanderson: It is pretty exciting! He has proved he can take those few years off and still be the best player. I am excited. I watch him on TV when he plays. It is great for the game, the fans, and everybody.

Question: liz: What net-minder has given you the most trouble?

Geoff Sanderson: Probably Patrick Roy. Even more so in the days when he was in Montreal and I was in Hartford/Carolina. We seemed to play them all the time and he is/was one of the best goaltenders in the league.

Question: sue: Do you do anything special before a game to prepare for the games?

Geoff Sanderson: I don't have superstitions but I go through the same warm up routine for a game. I just make sure I am warmed up to play. I don't do any funky stuff.

Question: varadafan: I think I'm asking this for a few people, whats it like knowing you don't have a Dominik hawse behind you, and therefore knowing you cant make a mistake and have him there to steal the puck back for you?

Geoff Sanderson: I feel pretty confident with Tugnutt behind me that we can make a few mistakes and he'll cover up for us. But yes, hawse did save us from our mistakes at times.

Question: liz: Who was your hockey hero growing up?

Geoff Sanderson: Probably Wayne Gretzky. I lived in Edmonton and watched the Oilers play. I liked the way he and Curri and all the Oilers played back then.

Question: marty3: What do the Columbus Blue Jackets need to do to be a Playoff Contender in the future?

Geoff Sanderson: We need more offense. I don't know.. it is hard to add that to the lineup without giving so much away. We are still a few players away from the playoffs.

Question: varadafan: Whats does it feel like to play against former teams and teammates, such as the sabres and hurricanes?

Geoff Sanderson: It is fun to play against your old teams. You want to do well to prove they made a mistake in letting you go. It is also fun to see the teammates you played with.

Question: liz: Without McInnis and Proger will you play the Blues different?

Geoff Sanderson: Yes. You have to pay special attention to both of them. Prongs is a strong passer and shooter in his own end. McInnis is very strong and you have to pay special attention when you play them

Question: liz: How do you condition in the off season?

Geoff Sanderson: I do a lot of running, lifting. This is about a month after the playoffs are over. A mix of cardio and weight training.

Question: sue: Do you intend to stay in columbus for a while?

Geoff Sanderson: I would like to stay here as long as possible. It is a fun place to play and I have had a second chance to get some playing time in. I would like to be part of the whole expansion-to-playoff run we will have.

Question: liz: Do you feel that some arenas change the surface of the ice (soft/harder) to control the tempo of the game for their team?

Geoff Sanderson: I don't think so. I think most arenas try to give you the best ice they can. Taking into consideration all the events these places have. Weekly they have all these concerts and all that does not do any good for the ice.

Question: marty3: Describe what it's like to Score a Goal or get an Assist as a Player in the NHL?

Geoff Sanderson: That is what we are out there to do! It is very rewarding to do that. More so when it is a goal or assist that wins a game for you. That is what you work so hard to do.

Geoff Sanderson: Again.. thanks so much for signing in. I appreciate all the great questions. Thank you and goodnight.