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Guest Summit Street
Guest Summit Street
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Still nice to be above .500 and closing the season on a high note (though it may be that some of the teams that have playoff spots locked are playing at less than 100% to keep people fresh for the Cup).  Nevertheless, a good validation of the management decision not to go crazy at the trade deadline.  This is the team we'll have next year, unless we have another #SeasonofInjuries. :-\

 

Before the CBJ went on this winning streak over the last 13 games, I was okay with them "losing out" to gain the highest possible draft pick.  Now, after winning 11 of the last 13 games, they have gone from a likely #4 or #5 overall pick to a likely #8 pick.  And I'm okay with this.

 

I've been persuaded that this end-of-season winning streak is in the best interests of the organization.  The CBJ isn't just beating teams that aren't trying.  The western teams they've beaten (Vancouver, Calgary, Chicago and St. Louis) are still playing for their playoff positions in which one win/loss could make a big difference.  Instead, this seems like a CBJ team that is finally getting healthy and fielding a roster they expected to have this season.

 

Of course the #SeasonofInjuries scuttled this season's playoff hopes long ago.  But building a "winning culture" seems much more important to next season's success than obtaining a marginally higher draft pick.  A #4 pick would bring a more NHL-ready talent than a #8 pick.  But would a #4 pick make the difference in the CBJ reaching next season's playoffs?  Unlikely.  However, continuing to develop the "winning culture" and building chemistry between the now-healthy players on the roster - that does seem important to the Jackets playoff chances next season.

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  • Gramarye
    Gramarye

    Well, as someone who watched Cleveland come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals and then fall from a 3-1 lead in the World Series, no series lead is safe.   But we just took two out of

  • Gramarye
    Gramarye

    Just posting here for the record to note I stayed up to watch that.   I'm tired just watching it.   Worth it.   'night all.

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    Columbo

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I wish the Red Wings were doing this well! We've been struggling lately

I wish the CBJ were going to the playoffs.  Now that they're (mostly) healthy and with the way they're playing, they would do some serious damage this year.

 

Another comeback win - this time against PIT.  Another hat trick - this time for Foligno.  Win streak now at 9!!!!

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/4/4/8345615/bad-blood-good-times

Last night was the third meeting between the CBJ and Maple Leafs this season.  Toronto won the first 4-1 on 10/31/14 and the second 5-2 on 1/9/15.  But since that January meeting, the two teams have been headed in different directions:

 

Columbus --- 21-17-2

Toronto ------  8-26-4

 

Which makes the Jackets dominating 5-0 win last night in Nationwide Arena not too shocking.  The Jackets just flat out blew away the reeling Leafs.  Ryan Murray returned from missing 9 games after reaggravating his ankle injury to score his first goal of his injury-riddled season.  Bob was BOB!  And everyone else looked about as good as possible:

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/4/8/8375095/game-80-recap-jackets-dominant-in-win-over-maple-leafs

 

The Jackets are now 10-0-1 in their last 11 games.  13-1-1 in their last 15 games.  14-2-1 in their last 17 games.

The CBJ finished out their 2014-15 season with two more wins.  On Friday, they dispatched Buffalo 4-2 in the home finale at Nationwide.  On Saturday, they won a highly entertaining 5-4 SO victory against the playoff-bound Islanders in the regular season finale (and final regular season game in venerable Nassau Coliseum).

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/4/11/8386135/game-recap-81-bringing-home-the-message

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/4/12/8392087/game-82-recap-thats-a-wrap

 

The Jackets finish 42-35-5 with 89 points.  They ended the season on a run of 12-0-1 in their final 13 games.  15-1-1 in their final 17 games.  16-2-1 in their final 19 games.

That's a heck of a home stretch for a team that had nothing left to play for but pride (and, arguably, momentum to carry into next year).

 

So it's time to ask what I've been thinking of as the big off-season question:

 

Were we really just doomed by fate this year, or was there something in our own training, conditioning, or game preparation routines that contributed to all of these injuries?  Horton was obviously beyond basically anyone's control (and now he's gone, and we'll see if the expensive underperformer we got for him can maybe make a new start here the way Connauton did, albeit a little on the late side), but seriously, the injury run this year was so statistically abnormal that someone has to ask if there was something we were doing to ourselves.

 

Considering how we ended the season, there are a lot of teams in the playoffs who should be really happy that we're not there.  If we'd fielded a healthier squad in the early season, we almost certainly would be there, with as much or more momentum as anyone in the field.

What was rumored a few weeks ago is now official.  Cleveland's Lake Erie Monsters will now be the AHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets!

 

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Blue Jackets, Cleveland's Lake Erie Monsters announce multi-year AHL affiliation agreement:  http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=763703

 

ANALYSIS:  AHL Affiliate Switching to Cleveland:  http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/4/17/8415757/report-ahl-affiliate-switching-to-cleveland

^ This is exciting news. It gives me a solid reason to now be an official Blue Jackets fan and thus in turn to care more about the Monsters.

Now they just need to get the Cincinnati Cyclones as their AA affiliate and they will have all but Toledo (Red Wings) and Steubenville (Penguins) on their side!

Now they just need to get the Cincinnati Cyclones as their AA affiliate and they will have all but Toledo (Red Wings) and Steubenville (Penguins) on their side!

 

Toledo also pairs with the Dark Side for baseball, so they're a lost cause...

Now they just need to get the Cincinnati Cyclones as their AA affiliate and they will have all but Toledo (Red Wings) and Steubenville (Penguins) on their side!

 

Toledo also pairs with the Dark Side for baseball, so they're a lost cause...

 

I beg to differ! (Red Wings and Tigers fan, here)

NHL draft lottery is tonight.  Unlike in previous lotteries, all 14 teams that didn't make the playoffs have a chance for the #1 pick.  But they can't advance above their current draft position if they don't get the #1 pick.

 

So each team has the following chances tonight.  They could either win the #1 pick, stay in their current position, or move down one spot (if a team behind them wins the #1 pick).  Except for last-place Buffalo, who would will get either the #1 or #2 pick.  --  This link has the draft lottery odds for each possibility for each team: http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25146167/nhl-draft-lottery-to-be-conducted-saturday-odds-set

 

Here are the draft lottery odds for the CBJ:

 

- Odds of winning the lottery (#1 pick):    6.0%

- Odds of staying in current spot: (#8):  77.0%

- Odds of moving down one spot: (#9):  17.0%

The draft lottery went the way the odds predicted for the CBJ.  They stayed at their #8 spot.

 

Third-worst Edmonton ended up winning this lottery. (Yes, them again.)  My thoughts on that and more about the draft lottery over in the NHL thread.

The Jackets signed 22-year-old Finnish forward Markus Hannikainen to a two-year entry-level contract: http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=764281

 

The 6-2, 185-pound forward had 19 goals/27 assists/46 points in 60 games in his first full season in Finland’s top hockey league this year.  He added 2-3-5 in four playoff games and finished second on the club in goals, third in both assists and points. 

 

When Jarmo Kekalainen was named the Jackets GM, it was thought that his extensive European/Finnish experience might lead to some Euro/Fin free-agent signings.  Two years ago he signed a 24-year-old Finnish defenseman.  Last year he signed a 25-year-old Swedish forward.  However, both players didn't make the team out of training camp and opted to play in the KHL instead of waiting in the AHL for a call-up.

 

Will this third signing be the charm for Jarmo?  Possibly.  Unlike the previous signings, this one is a multi-year entry-level deal.  Plus Hannikainen was part of the Blue Jackets Development Camp in 2014.  So this seems like more of a commitment by the player to stick with the team.

  • 3 weeks later...

Some miscellaneous CBJ off-season news:

 

- In the 2011 draft, Columbus used a 4th-round pick on undersized (5'11"-150lbs) but skilled defenseman Mike Reilly from Minnesota.  Since then Reilly's grown to 6'1"-182lbs and become a two-time Big Ten defensive player of the year for the University of Minnesota.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that, per NHL draft rules, Reilly needs to sign with the Blue Jackets by June 1, or he becomes an unrestricted free agent with the ability to sign with any NHL team. -- Unfortunately, all signs point to Reilly becoming a UFA.  The Minnesota Wild look to have the inside track on Reilly because (1)he was born and raised in Minnesota, (2)he played for the University of Minnesota, and (3)his father is a minority owner of the Minnesota Wild(!). -- More about this at http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25187789/report-blue-jackets-pick-mike-reilly-to-test-free-agency

 

- The #SeasonOfInjuries continues!  Rookie Marko Dano tore the MCL in his right knee while playing for Slovakia in the World Championships.  More about this at http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/5/10/8582043/dano-tears-mcl-out-4-5-weeks -- The good news is it's only a partial tear with no surgery required and only a 4-5 week heal time.  So he should be fully healed by September's training camp.  Dano came on strong down the stretch last season with 19 points in his final 25 games.

 

- Now for some good news:  The CBJ has been without an official team captain since previous captain Rick Nash was traded in 2012.  This will end next week, as the team announced they will name a new team captain at a special event next Wednesday.  The smart money's on Nick Foligno.  Last season, he emerged as a team leader on and off the ice.  He also got high praise acting as an unofficial city ambassador and team captain when Columbus hosted the NHL All-Star Game.  Plus he had a breakout season with 31 goals / 42 assists / 73 points in 79 games and was rewarded with a 6-year contact extension. -- More about this at http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/5/15/8613931/blue-jackets-will-introduce-captain-on-wednesday

  • 2 weeks later...

Jackets sign d-man Goloubef to two-year, $1.5M extension: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/28/jackets-sign-d-man-goloubef-to-two-year-extension/

 

The CBJ re-signed one of their young defensemen to a two-year deal.  Cody Goloubef will turn 26 during next season on Nov. 30.  Goloubef has been a slowly marinating prospect that was signed in 2nd-round of the 2008 draft.  After that, he spent three seasons playing for the University of Wisconsin and four seasons playing in the AHL for Springfield.  He took a big step forward in his 2013-14 season with Springfield and was expected to be a starting d-man in Columbus during 2014-15.

 

Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in Nov. 2014 that limited him to only 36 games with the CBJ last season.  Despite having 0 goals and only 9 assists in those 36 games, the Jackets think he's a solid d-man with upside.  So this affordable two-year deal will let them see if Goloubef can prove it to them.  This isn't a signing that will 'make-or-break' the team - but Goloubef is a reliable bottom-pair d-man who can potentially get better.  And as we saw during the #SeasonOfInjuries, you can't have too much roster depth.

Another d-man signed for next season.  This one's a little further down the depth chart: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/29/jackets-keep-another-d-man-extend-falk/

 

Justin Falk was acquired at last season's trade deadline from Minnesota in exchange for Jordan Leopold.  Falk is big guy (6'-5") with 147 games of NHL experience.  But he signed one-year, two-way contract for next season.  The two-way nature of the contract allows Falk to be paid at a lower level for AHL games and allows for easier AHL/NHL call-ups and demotions.  This means Falk should primarily play for LEM in the AHL, but be available as an injury call-up.

 

Again, not a 'make-or-break' signing, but as we saw during the #SeasonOfInjuries, you can't have too much roster depth.

Two more d-men signed for next season - even further down the depth chart: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/1/8701017/filling-the-pipeline-jackets-sign-siebernaler-kukan

 

The CBJ signed two more young d-men to help boost their talent pool.  One was expected, the other was not:

 

- 2014 3rd-round draft pick Blake Siebenaler was signed to 3-year entry level contract.  Siebenaler is an American-born 6'-1" 190lb 19-year-old who played with the Niagara IceDogs in the OHL junior league for the past two seasons.  He's an offensive minded defenseman who will round out his game at Lake Erie for the next few seasons.

 

- The surprise signing was 21-year-old Swiss-born Dean Kukan.  He was signed to a 2-year deal entry level contract.  Kukan is a 6'-2" 198lb undrafted free agent who played the last two seasons in the Swedish Elite League.  He's described as a solid two-way defenseman with good character, work ethics and can move the puck well.  He will also be sent to Lake Erie to round out his game and to adjust to the smaller AHL/NHL ice size.

 

Again, nothing 'make-or-break'.  But two more small smart moves that address roster depth on the defense.

One more d-man - likely nowhere on the depth chart: a Mike Reilly update.  This is an article written by NHL.com and reposted on the CBJ website.  It's nice for Reilly to say he's "still huge on Columbus".  But if he really wanted to sign here, he would have done so already.  So don't hold your breath waiting for it.  My bet is Reilly signs with either Minnesota or Chicago.

 

Blue Jackets remain hopeful Reilly signs with team

By Mike G. Morreale  - NHL.com Staff Writer

Friday, 06.5.2015 / 9:00 AM ET

 

Columbus Blue Jackets director of amateur scouting Paul Castron remembers that when they selected defenseman Mike Reilly in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2011 NHL Draft, it was with the hope that he could develop into a big piece of their future.  Though Reilly may become an effective NHL player, it's unclear if it will be with the Blue Jackets, who on Wednesday granted Reilly permission to speak to other teams after failing to agree on a contract with him.

 

Reilly is speaking with teams this week at the NHL Scouting Combine at First Niagara Center in Buffalo.  He told NHL.com on Wednesday that Columbus remains under consideration as he mulls his options.  TSN reported Thursday that Reilly and his representatives planned to meet with eight other teams: Chicago, Detroit, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Montreal, N.Y. Rangers and Pittsburgh.

 

"I haven't been able to talk to any teams until now since I had to wait 30 days after withdrawing from school," Reilly said Wednesday. "There's a lot of things that go on, but I think it's good to kind of see what else is out there. I'm still huge on Columbus. But to be in this situation is pretty unique."  Reilly can become an unrestricted free agent June 15 but would have to wait until July 1 to sign with a team other than Columbus.

 

MORE: http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=769961

Still more d-men news: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/07/jackets-sign-madaisky-to-a-one-year-two-way-deal/

 

23-year-old Austin Madaisky is another slowly marinating defensive prospect for the CBJ.  He was drafted in the 5th-round of the 2010 draft and was coming off his three-year entry-level contract.  Madaisky is just the kind of offensive-minded defenseman the Jackets would like to develop for the NHL-level.  And last year in Springfield, he took a big step forward in his development.  He was named a starter for the AHL All-Star Game and had 12 goals/23 assists for 35 points in 53 games.

 

Then Madaisky broke his ankle in February and his season ended. (The #SeasonOfInjuries extended even into the minors!)  So this one-year, two-way contract allows him to play in the AHL for another season and prove that last season wasn't a fluke.

Final Mike Reilly update.  As expected, he ain't joining the Jackets: http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2015/06/reilly-says-no-to-blue-jackets.html

 

- My heart says, "F-em, we drafted him and he should sign with us"

 

- My head says, "He's within his rights under the CBA to declare as a free agent and sign with the team of his choice.  And if you get a chance to start your NHL career on your hometown team (Minnesota) or a team that's won 3 Stanley Cups in the past 6 seasons (Chicago), you gotta go for it."

 

Ultimately, Reilly at least gave the CBJ the courtesy of letting them know before the upcoming draft on June 26-27 and the start of free-agency on July 1.  He can't sign with another team until July 1 and could have strung us out until then.  At least now the CBJ know their defensive situation going into these two important dates.

 

Here's the official CBJ reaction:  "Jackets ready to "move on" after Reilly's decision" - http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=771249

Backup goalie Curtis McElhinney has been signed to a 2-year extension - reportedly at 800K/year:

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/24/8839925/blue-jackets-curtis-mcelhinney-contract-extension

 

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/24/jackets-re-sign-veteran-presence-mcelhinney-for-two-more-years/

 

It was thought the Jackets might acquire a new backup for Bob.  But C-Mac had a decent season last year, after a bad start.  By last season's end, he looked solid.  And as long as C-Mac is effective, he's the perfect backup for Bob.

 

When healthy, Bob will likely start 60-65 of the 82 regular-season games (about 75% of the starts).  This means Bob's backup will sit for long stretches between starts.  This can be a problem for younger goalies who want playing time - sometimes showing up in game readiness and locker room chemistry.  C-Mac is a 32-year-old veteran who knows and accepts his backup role - but is still effective enough to fill in for longer stretches if needed.  The bargain rate of 800K/year is a bonus.  Plus, his 2-year deal allows our young goaltenders more time in the minors - as our best prospect, 22-year-old Anton Forsberg, showed the need for last season.

The 2015 NHL Entry Draft will take place tonight and tomorrow.  The first round selections will be made on Friday the 26th starting at 7:00pm ET, while rounds two through seven will be made on Saturday the 27th, starting at 10:00am ET.  For the best CBJ draft primer available (IMO) go to http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/13/8774991/2015-nhl-draft-blue-jackets-war-room.

 

And it should be an important draft for the Jackets.  They're a team that is talented enough to be a playoff team next season - but, because of last season's #SeasonOfInjuries, they have the #8 overall pick in the first-round.  They also have 3 second-round picks and 2 third-round picks.  So they have a chance to add to their already deep prospect pool.  Particularly, if the CBJ can add a top defensive prospect with either their #8 pick, or possibly make a deal to move up to Arizona's #3 pick - as has been rumored.

 

Here's the full list of the draft picks for 2015 (assuming no draft day trades).  The Jackets go into the draft owning these ten selections:

 

  1 - Round 1 (8th Overall)

  2 - Round 2 (34th Overall) (from Toronto via LA in the Gaborik trade)

  3 - Round 2 (38th Overall)

  4 - Round 2 (58th Overall) (from Anaheim in the Wisniewski trade)

  5 - Round 3 (68th Overall) (from Philadelphia in the Mason trade)

  6 - Round 3 (69th Overall)

  7 - Round 5 (129th Overall)

  8 - Round 5 (141st Overall) (from Minnesota in the Leopold trade)

  9 - Round 6 (159th Overall)

10 - Round 7 (189th Overall)

 

* The Jackets' fourth round pick was traded to Philadelphia in the Scott Hartnell trade.

Well, the CBJ made their best efforts to trade up to Arizona's #3 pick (to select the #1 rated d-man in the draft) and to acquire 22-year-old stud d-man Dougie Hamilton from Boston yesterday.  But Hamilton was traded to Calgary for the Flames 1st-round (15th overall pick) and two 2nd-round picks (45th & 52nd).  When Boston's GM was asked if any other team offered a similar draft pick package for Hamilton (like say Columbus), he said yes - but didn't want to trade Hamilton to an Eastern Conference opponent.

 

It was rumored that the Jackets offered Arizona a swap of first-rounders (3rd for 8th) and a package of players (possibly Anisimov and/or Rychel) to move up and presumably select Noah Hanifin, the top-rated d-man in the draft.  But the Jackets offer was rebuffed by Arizona (along with multiple offers from other teams reportedly).

 

So the Jackets ended up staying at #8.  Hanifin was selected #5 by Carolina.  One of the next highest rated d-men, Ivan Provorov, was select #7 by Philadelphia.  So, the next highest rated d-man sort of fell into the Jackets lap at #8 - and the CBJ selected Zach Werenski:

 

Zach Werenski is a 17-year-old defenseman (his 18th birthday is July 17) currently playing for the Univ. of Michigan.  Werenski graduated early to enroll and play as a 17-year-old last season for the Wolverines.  At 6'-2" and 214 lbs., Werenski's size and playing style reminds you of another former Wolverine (and current Jacket) Jack Johnson.  More about Zach Werenski below:

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/26/8855211/2015-nhl-draft-jackets-select-zach-werenski-at-8-overall

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/5/8/8561493/2015-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-8-zach-werenski

 

Although Werenski was the "best d-man available" with the #8 pick, it's said that the Jackets rated him higher than Provorov, who went #7.  So even though they couldn't trade up for the most NHL-ready d-man Hanifin, they still got their next best choice.  That said, Werenski will likely return to Michigan for next season.  He's not quite NHL-ready and, because of his age, not allowed to play in the AHL next season.  Another year of seasoning in college would also allow the team to retain all three years of his entry-level pro contract as well.

Although the Jackets couldn't swing a draft-day trade with Arizona (though not for lack of trying), they did manage a draft-day trade with Toronto to acquire a second 1st-round pick.  The Jackets acquired Toronto 1st-round pick (29th overall) in exchange for the Jackets 2nd-round pick (34th overall) and 3rd-round pick (68th overall).  Basically, swapping the 29th-overall and 34th-overall picks with Toronto to move up into the first round and giving Toronto the 68th-oervall pick as compensation.  Ironically, 34-overall pick that Toronto acquired was originally their own pick before it got traded to L.A. then to Columbus and then back to Toronto again!

 

With the newly acquired 1st-round, 29th overall pick, the Jackets selected Gabriel Carlsson.  Carlsson is an 18-year-old Swedish defenseman currently playing in Sweden's top hockey league.  At 6'-4" and 183 lbs., Carlsson has a big frame that needs to add some weight (as is common for young prospects).  More about Gabriel Carlsson below:

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/26/8855581/2015-nhl-draft-jackets-trade-back-up-to-29th-select-gabriel-carlsson

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/5/13/8594497/2015-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-13-gabriel-carlsson

 

Carlsson is at least two years away from being AHL-NHL ready.  But playing in Sweden would be excellent for his development.  So another couple of seasons there and then sign an entry-level contract would be fine for the Jackets.  He's currently more of a stay-at-home defenseman because of his size.  But if he rounds out his offensive game, he could be a large two-way d-man.  Carlsson said his favorite NHL player was fellow Swede Nick Lidstrom.  Not a bad role model for a young Swedish d-man to have!

CBJ DRAFT RECAP:

 

In the first day of the 2015 Draft, the Jackets took two young defensemen.  Werenski with their #8 overall pick, and Carlsson with a #29 overall pick acquired from Toronto:

 

- Round 1 (#8) – Zach Werenski, D (University of Michigan)

- Round 1 (29) – Gabriel Carlsson, D (Sweden)

 

 

Columbus gave Toronto their #34 and #68 picks to acquire the #29 pick, so here are the remaining picks that the Jackets used in the draft's second day.  In the second and third rounds, teams can sometimes get players with 1st-round talent that either drop because of some flaw in their overall game or because some teams just didn't project them as high as others:

 

- Round 2 (38) – Paul Bittner, LW (Portland/WHL) - 18-year-old, 6'-4", 204 lb. American-born forward who played on the same line as the Jackets current uber-prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand and put up high offensive numbers as a result.  Likely a very well-scouted pick that the CBJ were comfortable with, given his association with Bjorkstrand.

 

- Round 2 (58) – Kevin Stenlund, C (Sweden JR) - 18-year-old, 6'-3", 205 lb. Swedish center who captained his Swedish Junior team last season.

 

- Round 3 (69) – Keegan Kolesar, RW (Seattle/WHL) - 18-year-old, 6'-1", 217 lb. Canadian-born forward who played in the WHL junior league last season.

 

 

Once teams get into the lower rounds of the draft, they're looking for "sleeper picks".  Most of these late-round picks never make it to the NHL.  But, occasionally, a diamond in the rough or late bloomer is found.  These players that reach the NHL can have careers ranging from 'solid contributor' to the even rarer 'All-Star' from these late second day picks.  The Jackets decided to go with four defensemen in these later rounds:

 

- Round 5 (129) – Sam Ruopp, D (Prince George/WHL) - 19-year-old, 6'-4", 179 lb. Canadian-born defensive defenseman who captained his WHL junior team last season.

 

- Round 5 (141) – Veeti Vainio, D (Finland JR) - 18-year-old, 6'-2", 169 lb. Finnish offensive defenseman who played in the Finnish Junior League last season.

 

- Round 6 (159) – Vladislav Gavrikov, D (Russia) - 20-year-old, 6'-2", 205 lb. Russian defensive defenseman who played in the KHL last season.  An interesting "over-age" pick that was listed as the #1 overage steal in the 2015 draft by the well-respected Hockey Writers website.

 

- Round 7 (189) – Markus Nutivaara, D (Finland) - 21-year-old, 6'-0", 174 lb. Finnish defenseman who played in the Finnish Elite League last season.

 

 

More about the second day of the 2015 draft at http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/27/8850751/2015-nhl-entry-draft-day-2

Some CBJ odds and ends from the draft weekend and yesterday:

 

- The CBJ got some reflected glory when Columbus-born Jack Roslovic was selected in the 1st-round (25th overall pick) by Winnipeg.  This marked the first ever Columbus-born player to be selected in the first round.  Roslovic had lived in Central Ohio his whole life and was a former player in local Blue Jackets youth teams - also marking the first ever CBJ youth player to be selected in the first round.  He has committed to play the 2015–16 season with Miami University.

 

- In some further reflected glory, former CBJ player Sergei Fedorov was named to the 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame class.  Obviously Fedorov is making the Hockey HOF because of his many years with the Detroit Red Wings - most notably being part of the "Russian Five" who won three Stanley Cups in the 1990's.  But Fedorov did play in Columbus from 2005 to 2008.  So this marks the first ever former Blue Jacket named to the Hall of Fame.

 

- Putting a bow on the Mike Reilly situation: Reilly announced he will be signing a 2-year entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild that will become official on July 1.

 

- So the Jackets lost their 2011 4th-round pick (Reilly).  But their 2011 5th-round pick (Seth Ambroz) signed a minor-league deal with the Jackets yesterday.  Ambroz is a 22-year-old, 6'-3" 215 lb. right winger who, ironically, played the last four seasons at the Univ. of Minnesota with Reilly.

 

- Former Springfield captain Ryan Craig, Dublin native Trent Vogelhuber and 6'-7" defenseman Oleg Yevenko of Belarus were also signed to minor-league contracts with Lake Erie.

 

- In RFA news, the Jackets extended qualifying offers to forwards Matt Calvert and Michael Chaput.  The team is also reported to be working on a multi-year contract extension with Calvert.

Wheeling and dealing!

 

Blackhawks Trade Saad to Jackets in 7-Player Deal

 

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=773101&hootPostID=7f9e11fb1ab24e1b3ab1f25cc919724d

 

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today they have acquired forwards Artem Anisimov (AHR-tehm a-NEE-see-mawv), Marko Dano (DAN-oh), Jeremy Morin and Corey Tropp (TRAHP) and a fourth-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Alex Broadhurst and Brandon Saad and defenseman Michael Paliotta.

 

*****

 

Just looking at it, it looks like this was in large part Anisimov for Saad, even though it was technically a 7-player deal (four of ours for three of theirs).  Though of course Saad could be looking at an offer sheet that would dwarf Anisimov's, as I understand it.  (Am I right that the trade doesn't change the ability of other teams to make offer sheets that CBJ would have to meet?)

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/chicago-blackhawks-deal-brandon-saad-blue-jackets-in-trade-shocker-213901847.html

^ I just saw this deal on the NHL Network about an hour ago.  Here's more about it from the Jackets Cannon:

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/30/8872943/done-deal-brandon-saad-is-now-a-blue-jacket

 

FROM CHICAGO: LW-Brandon Saad, D-Michael Paliotta and C-Alex Broadhurst

 

FROM COLUMBUS: C-Artem Anisimov, RW-Marko Dano, LW-Jeremy Morin, RW-Corey Tropp and 2016 4th-round draft pick

 

I'd agree with the Cannon that this deal is a stunner.  Partially because the CBJ got a prized up-and-coming 22-year-old like Saad.  But also because it wasn't for a top-4 defenseman, as many CBJ trade rumors have been for.  Ultimately, this looks like a 'trade of opportunity' for the CBJ.  Saad had 23 goals & 29 assists for 52 points while playing in all 82 regular-season games last season.  Plus 11 points in 23 games during the Blackhawks Stanley Cup playoff run.  But Saad is coming off his entry-level contract with the Hawks and was due a significant pay raise.  So Saad became a salary cap casualty that the Jackets could pick up.

 

Gramarye's right that this was pretty much a Saad for Anisimov deal (plus Dano)

 

- Giving up Anisimov was no surprise because he was entering his last year of his current contract.  Although Anisimov is a quality player, he was not one of the "core players" for the Jackets and was not going to be re-signed after next season.  Plus, Wennberg pretty much replaced him as our 3rd-line center last season.

 

- Giving up Dano was a surprise because the 20-year-old had a dazzling last half of last season.  Losing Dano hurts a little.  But Saad is very much a "Dano-like" player, except nearly three years older and a proven player.

 

- Morin proved a capable 4th-liner after he was, ironically enough, acquired from the Blackhawks during last season.  Tropp is a throw-in - as is the 4th-round draft pick. (Actually, Chicago taking on Morin and Tropp is a benefit to the CBJ. Morin and Tropp will cost $1.525 million next season. And neither player was guaranteed to be on the game roster for the CBJ next season.)

 

- Don't really know much about the two prospects included from Chicago in the deal.  But they seem like add-ons to possibly equalize the number of overall players under contract for the Blackhawks. (Apparently Paliotta is a decent d-man prospect who might be a year or two away from being NHL-ready. He played the last 4 seasons with Univ. of Vermont.)

 

The Jackets would still like another top-4 defenseman to round out next season's roster.  So another trade or possibly a free-agent signing could be coming.  But this Saad trade does bring in a very good young forward, while also clearing out much of the glut of extra forwards the Jackets had.

Though of course Saad could be looking at an offer sheet that would dwarf Anisimov's, as I understand it.  (Am I right that the trade doesn't change the ability of other teams to make offer sheets that CBJ would have to meet?)

 

Yes, that's true (unless the CBJ quickly sign Saad before free-agency opens on July 1).  But the Jackets have the cap space to match any offer sheet, should it come.  The Blackhawks might not have enough cap space to match an offer sheet - which could entice a team to do that, knowing the Blackhawks might not be able to match.

The Jackets Cannon had very complete rundown the Saad trade with Chicago:  Breaking Open The Brandon Saad Trade: Who "Wins"? - http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/7/1/8876409/columbus-blue-jackets-chicago-blackhawks-brandon-saad-artem-anisimov-marko-dano

 

There's many different angles to it, but this looks like a trade where "everyone wins".  Columbus gets Saad, a young up-and-coming 1st-line winger to pair with young up-and-coming 1st-line center Johansen.  Chicago gets Anisimov, which filled their need for a 2nd-line center, plus Dano, a young winger with upside, who could be an affordable replacement for Saad.

 

Yesterday, Chicago signed Anisimov to five-year extension at a $4.55 million AAV - a significant raise from his current $3.3 million AAV.  So Chicago locked up 27-year-old Arty for the next six years at a price that they, but not the Jackets could afford.  Saad is an RFA and still needs to be signed by Columbus and is rumored to be looking at a six-year deal that the Jackets, but not the Blackhawks could afford.

 

Dano is the wild-card in this trade.  At 20, he is unproven, but had an outstanding final half of last season.  And he still has two years remaining on his entry-level contract.  If Dano puts up "Saad-like" numbers over the next two years, then the deal would be seen as turning more into Chicago's favor.

After the Saad trade with Chicago, the CBJ weren't expected make much news during yesterday's free-agent frenzy.  And that turned out to be correct.  The Jackets were said to have made a late push to re-sign Mark Letestu after the Saad trade cleared out the forward glut.  But ultimately Letestu signed a three-year deal with Edmonton for a $1.8 million AAV.  After Letestu signed with Edmonton, the CBJ signed a "Letestu replacement" - 31-year-old center Gregory "Soupy" Campbell from Boston.  Campbell signed a two-year deal for a $1.5 million AAV:

 

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/01/columbus-character-blue-jackets-ink-gregory-campbell/

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/7/1/8880799/jackets-sign-forward-gregory-campbell-to-a-two-year-contract

 

If you go to the above Jackets Cannon link, you can see this deal is not greatly admired by the CBJ fan base.  I'm not real sold on it either.  I'm sure the Jackets made Letestu a 2-year offer, but were unwilling to make the 3-year offer that Edmonton did.  But signing a 31-year-old Campbell to a 2-year offer is almost the same as a 3-year offer to a 30-year-old Letestu with only 300K in cap savings.

 

Personally, I would have matched the Edmonton three-year offer to keep Letestu.  Letestu's replacement, Campbell, is a capable veteran 4th-line center.  But he can't match Letestu's offensive numbers or Letestu's versatility of playing 4th-line center and 3rd-line winger.  One intangible that Campbell offers is extensive playoff experience and coming from a winning culture.  So it's not the deal I would have made, but it's also not a "make-or-break" deal for the CBJ.

The CBJ's only significant position of need going into 2015-16 is another "Top 4" defenseman.  It was thought the Jackets might acquire a top-4 d-man via trade using Arty and/or a young forward prospect and/or a 1st/2nd round pick.  Since the Jackets gave up Arty and a young forward prospect in Dano with the Saad trade, it's now unlikely they will be able acquire a top-4 d-man via trade.

 

This leaves the free agent market.  But the CBJ can't really commit more than a $4-5 million cap hit to sign a top-4 d-man.  They'll need enough future cap space for the future contracts of Johansen, Jenner, Murray, Wennberg and an unknown number of young prospects.  So this limits the free agent d-man pool to those in this article: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/6/30/8866611/2015-free-agency-ufa-defensemen-the-jackets-could-target

 

After the opening day of free agency, these players from that article remain:

 

- Johnny Oduya: 6'-0", 33-year-old who has played the last 4 seasons at Chicago after being traded there from Atlanta/Winnipeg.  Will not put up many points, but is a great minutes eater and defensive player.  Plus, name on the Stanley Cup, twice.  Could be good pickup, if the price and contract length are right.

 

- Christian Ehrhoff: 6'-2", will be 33 on 7/6.  Signed a 1-year, $4 million deal with Pittsburgh last season.  Kind of a Tyutin-light player who might be a good addition, if the price is right and the contract length is brief.

 

- Cody Franson: 6'-5", 27-year-old who has played the last 4 seasons at Toronto before being traded at the 2015 trading deadline to Nashville.  Would be a very good pickup, if the price is right.  Which it probably won't be, given the thin ranks of UFA d-men available and the nature of teams overpaying for said d-men.

Blue Jackets sign New Albany native Kole Sherwood to three-year, entry level contract: http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=774010

 

Above is another interesting prospect signing for the CBJ.  Kole Sherwood is an 18-year-old forward who went undrafted during the 2015 NHL Draft.  Sherwood is a New Albany native that is a product of the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets youth program.  He played two seasons with the U16 team and one season with the U18 team.  He also played three games with the Youngstown Phantoms of the U.S. Hockey League last season.

 

Sherwood was invited to the Blue Jackets development camp that was held last week.  Sherwood impressed the team so much, they offered him a 3-year ELC.  He accepted, and will play for the London Knights in Canadian Junior League, instead of Boston University, next season.  More about Sherwood at http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=234873

 

Sherwood's signing adds another piece to the steady development of hockey in Central Ohio.  In 2007, the first Ohio-born player was drafted into the NHL when the CBJ drafted a Dublin-native in the 7th-round.  Since then, Ohio talent has shown up in the league more and more.  Dublin-born d-man Connor Murphy was drafted in the 2011 1st-round and is currently playing for Arizona.  Central Ohio native Cole Cassels (son of former CBJ Andrew Cassels) was drafted in the 3rd-round of 2013 by Vancouver.  And this year, Columbus-born Jack Roslovic was selected in the 1st-round (25th overall pick) by Winnipeg - marking the first ever CBJ youth player to be selected in the first round.

 

More about Sherwood's signing and the development of Central Ohio based NHL-level prospects at https://www.todaysslapshot.com/from-the-ice/who-is-kole-sherwood-columbus-newest-forward/

Calvert signed to a three-year contract extension:  http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/7/9/8921631/calvert-signs-new-deal-with-columbus

 

More from the above linked Jackets Cannon article:  This morning, the Blue Jackets announced what had been rumored for a while -- Matt Calvert has been signed to a three-year contract extension, with an AAV of $2.2 million.  He'll make $1.5 million this season, $2.2 million next year, and $2.9 million in the final year of the deal.  This slots him ahead of Jared Boll ($1.7 million) and Gregory Campbell ($1.5 million) in terms of AAV for forwards not on ELCs.  A fair deal for both sides, and not a surprise, particularly since Calvert failed to file for salary arbitration when the deadline passed last week.

  • 2 weeks later...

Chaput signs one-year, two-way contract: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/23/columbus-inks-chaput-to-one-year-two-way-contract/

 

23-year-old RFA center Michael Chaput was signed to a one-year, two-way contract, reportedly worth $650K at the NHL level.  Chaput played in a career-high 33 games for the CBJ last season, netting 1 goal and 4 assists.  He's unlikely to play in that many NHL games this season (unless the Jackets have another historically high numbers of injuries), hence the two-way NHL/AHL contract.

Chaput's signing will probably finish up the off-season roster moves from the Jackets.  The only other move might be signing a veteran top-4 free-agent defenseman.  Christian Ehrhoff remains from the list of d-men previously posted.  According to the below article, Ehrhoff is open to signing another one-year contract.  But the CBJ only have a little over $3 million remaining under the salary cap.  So if Ehrhoff would agree to a one-year deal that fits under the salary cap, the CBJ might sign him.

 

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/19/report-blue-jackets-have-interest-in-ehrhoff/

  • 1 month later...

One more off-season deal for the Jackets.  Just under the wire too.  The ice has been laid down at Nationwide.  Training camp begins next week.  And we're one month away from the regular-season opener on October 9.  This deal involves a defenseman (not Ehrhoff though - he signed a one-year deal with the L.A. Kings).  Instead it's existing d-man David Savard:

 

- Jackets Sign David Savard to 5-Year Deal:  http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/9/8/9275701/jackets-sign-david-savard-to-5-year-deal

 

Savard is in the final season of a two-year contract signed after the 2013-14 season.  He'll make $1.3 million in 2015-16.  The five-year extension will pay Savard $3.5 million in 2016-17, $4 million in 2017-18, $4.75 million in 2018-19, $5 million in 2019-20 and $4 million in 2020-21.  The salary cap hit (average annual value) is $4.25 million.  The extension also doesn't include any no-movement or no-trade clauses, according to http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2015/09/savard-signs-5-year-extension.html

 

Savard, who turns 25 next month, was first in goals and second in points among Blue Jackets' defensemen last season, setting career highs in goals (11), assists (25), points (36), shots on goal (112) and time on ice (22:56 per game).  He was one of only two players to appear in all 82 games during last season's #SeasonOfInjuries.

 

The comments at the Jackets Cannon are divided as to the wisdom of this contract extension.  Personally, I like, but don't love it.  Savard is currently on the first d-line with Johnson.  He and Johnson are probably better suited for second-line duty talent-wise.  But for now, the team doesn't have any d-men to supplant them on the top line - and may not for the next two seasons (at least with existing players in the CBJ system).  For that reason alone, signing Savard to an extension is good for the defensive stability of the team.  But Savard's play over the past two seasons has also earned him an extension.

 

The extension debate over Savard is more about the length (5 years) and the cap hit ($4.25 million/year).  Which is a legit question for someone who may ultimately slot in as a second-line d-man.  However, for the past two seasons and for the coming season, Savard's salary is a bargain.  And his future salary cap hit doesn't seem like an over-payment.  It might be an over-payment if Savard's production declines.  But since this extension doesn't have any no-movement or no-trade clauses, he could still be tradeable if it comes to this.

  • 5 weeks later...

Here is the projected 2015-16 roster for the Jackets - http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/9/16/9341593/jackets-2015-camp-roster (link shows all the training camp invitees, and was updated as the roster was cut down to tonight's opening game roster):

 

OFFENSIVE LINES

1st Line:  BRANDON SAAD - RYAN JOHANSEN - NICK FOLIGNO

2nd Line: BOONE JENNER - BRANDON DUBINSKY - CAM ATKINSON

3rd Line:  SCOTT HARTNELL - ALEXANDER WENNBERG - DAVID CLARKSON

4th Line:  MATT CALVERT - GREGORY CAMPBELL - RENE BOURQUE

Reserves:  WILLIAM KARLSSON - JARED BOLL

 

1st line:  The team's forwards were pretty much set going into last month's training camp.  The biggest off-season addition was 22-year-old LW Brandon Saad in the Anisimov/Dano trade with Chicago.  Saad has been added to a new top line with 22-year-old center Ryan Johansen and the new team captain Nick Foligno on RW.  This top line has been scoring in bunches during the pre-season and looks dangerous.

 

2nd line:  The 2nd line is anchored by newly named alternate captains, 22-year-old Boone Jenner and 29-year-old Brandon Dubinsky.  The RW on this line was projected to be Cam Atkinson.  But 33-year-old veteran Rene Bourque has been outstanding on this line during pre-season.  So he might get the nod in the opener.

 

3rd line:  Last season, veteran Hartnell and rookie Wennberg clicked on the 3rd line.  Although Clarkson is penciled as the RW, Atkinson looks like the likely 3rd-line RW based on the pre-season.

 

4th line:  LW Calvert and newly acquired center Campbell will anchor the 4th line.  Bourque is penciled in at RW.  But Clarkson and Boll could also see playing time at RW.

 

Reserves:  William (Wild Bill) Karlsson was a surprise addition to the opening game roster.  The 22-year-old was acquired from ANA in the Wiz trade and was surprisingly good in the 3 games he played for the CBJ last season.  With the Jackets forward depth, it was thought he would be one of the first injury call-ups from Lake Erie.  And in a sense, he already is.  Because Clarkson suffered a lower-body injury during pre-season and out of the starting lineup, listed as day-to-day.

 

DEFENSIVE LINES

1st Line:  RYAN MURRAY - DAVID SAVARD

2nd Line:  FEDOR TYUTIN - JACK JOHNSON

3rd Line: KEVIN CONNAUTON - DALTON PROUT/CODY GOLOUBEF

 

1st line:  22-year-old Ryan Murray is the key to this defensive group.  The #2 overall pick in 2012 has been snakebitten by injuries over his brief career - only playing 12 games last season.  But when he is healthy, as he was during the 2013-14 playoff season, he is a legit all-around top-line defenseman.  24-year-old David Savard has worked his way up to the top line with constant improvement over the past two seasons.

 

2nd line:  32-year veteran Tyutin is being paired with 28-year-old veteran Johnson.  Both players have been top line d-man in previous seasons.  But Tyutin has slowed with age and Johnson makes too many mistakes to warrant top line minutes.  A changing of the guard with youngsters Murray and Savard switching lines with Tyutin and Johnson.

 

3rd line:  Connauton was a surprisingly good waiver pick-up last season.  Prout and Goloubef will fill out the remaining defensive spot.  Right now, it looks like playing time for Prout and Goloubef will depend on match-ups (Prout is slow but physical; Goloubef is speedier).

 

GOALTENDERS

Starter:  SERGEI BOBROVSKY

Backup:  CURTIS McELHINNEY

 

For the goaltending, its "Bob or Bust".  Under his new contract, Bobrovsky is getting paid like an elite goaltender this season.  And the Jackets hope he continues to play like one.  If healthy, Bob should start 75% of the time.  Backup McElhinney is reliable enough for fill-in duty and starting during back-to-back games.  But if Bob doesn't get the majority of the starts this season, something has gone wrong.

The blue carpet was rolled out for yesterday's home opener - and it looked like the sold-out + sro crowd that packed NWA would celebrate an opening night victory.  And then . . . (well, I'll let Porty tell it)

 

G1: New York Minute

POSTED OCT 9, 2015 BY AARON PORTZLINE

---"With 3:50 remaining, left wing Brandon Saad was celebrating a 2-1 lead thanks to his first goal with the Blue Jackets, and Nationwide Arena was pulsating with a soldout crowd of 19,207.  Then, faster than a New York minute, the floor gave way."

---"The New York Rangers scored three goals in a span of 77 seconds, claimed a 4-2 victory in the Blue Jackets’ season opener, and sent the locals into the streets wondering what just happened and if it will ever change."

 

FWIW, I do think it will change.  Because the Jackets were the better team for most of the game (56:10 to be exact).  Rangers all-world goalie Henrik Lundqvist was on his game in the net.  CBJ outshot NYR 33-26 and the Jackets really had to work hard for their two goals.  The first came off a great defensive zone puck interception by Dubinsky.  Dubi then shot an outlet pass to the speedy Atkinson, who got past the last Rangers defender and then deked King Henrik penalty-shot style.  The second goal came on a nifty Saad power-play goal set up by Murray.

 

But then in the final 3:50 - a tying goal was given up only 1:14 after the Saad goal on a poor clearance by Connauton - a go-ahead goal was given up only 17 seconds later on poor goaltending by Bob - and an insurance goal was given up 1 minute later on basically sub-par team defense.  Even though all three of those late NYR goals could be seen as "bad luck goals" - they all could have been prevented with better defending.

 

So, even though the CBJ looked good for most of the game - there is still more work to do.  And it begins tonight at MSG for the road part of their home-and-away opener with the Rangers.  Wennberg was knocked out of last night's game with a concussion, so Karlsson will likely replace him for tonight's roster.

 

GAME RECAP:  http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/10/10/9491427/game-1-recap-rangers-spoil-the-party/in/9250438

 

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/10/9/9491307/jackets-vs-rangers-highlight-recap

Is it possible for all the CBJ pre-season enthusiasm to dissipate after only two games?  If you read this NSFW game thread from last night's game at MSG, you might think so:  http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/10/10/9484671/game-thread-2-blue-jackets-v-new-york-rangers  --  And it was bad.  How bad?  Basically, the reverse of Friday's meltdown.  Instead of giving up 3 goals late into the game, the CBJ gave up 3 goals at the beginning!  Eventually going down 5-0 until a couple of late garbage-time goals finished it 5-2.

 

Now, you can't hit the panic button only 2 games into an 82-game season.  But the end of game 1 and start of game 2 was a hideously awful stretch for the Jackets.  Consider this:  They went up 2-1 with 3:50 remaining in game 1, then got outscored 6-0 over the next 9.5 minutes!  Bob gave up 3 goals on the last 3 shots of game 1, then 3 more goals on the first 8 shots of game 2 (6 goals on 11 shots faced!!).

 

This is likely just a bad stretch against a hot team (NYR is 3-0-0; they also beat the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks) riding a superb goalie (Lundqvist stopped 37 of 39 shots; and we outshot NYR again 39 to 29).  But if the CBJ can't top Buffalo on Monday afternoon, it might be time to go on yellow alert.

Last night's game against Ottawa was just atrocious!  The CBJ held three different one-goal leads at 1-0, 2-1 & 3-2.  Only to lose each lead and then give up 4 unanswered goals and an empty-netter for the 7-3 loss.  And answers are what the Jackets need quickly.  Because this 0-4 start is the worst start ever for us.

 

Worst. Start. Ever. -- http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/10/15/9536065/game-4-recap-worst-start-ever

 

Just let that sink in.  Because that is kind of unbelievable considering some of the bad teams we've had in the past and that this was supposed to be our best team ever.  (Alot of NHL experts said so)  But the one area of weakness going into this season was the defense.  And our defense has been bad!  Really bad!  Murray and Savard have been okay.  But the Tyutin/Johnson and Connauton/Prout lines have been disorganized turnover machines!!!  And we don't seem to have any 'Plan B' to improve the defense.  We don't have better d-men waiting in the minors and we're so close to the salary cap that adding better d-men via trade seems unlikely.

 

Right now, the existing bottom-4 d-men just need to "play better"!  If they can't, then I don't know what will happen to Bobrovsky.  Because Bob is also playing so bad that it looks like he's lost his confidence.  And Bob even said as much after last night's game!  It can happen, even to good goaltenders, if their defense keeps hanging them out.

 

The CBJ must turn it around Friday against Toronto.  If they can't beat Toronto, I honestly don't know how far this season's CBJ will fall.  And then it really will be time to panic!

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/10/14/9535261/senators-7-blue-jackets-3-quick-thoughts

 

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2015/10/15/9539111/the-world-turned-upside-down

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