By Peter D. McAlister
Over the last couple of injury filled seasons that Rostislav Klesla spent with the Columbus Blue Jackets, his name often surfaced to the forefront when trade talks heat up. At one point in his career he could have commanded a top six forward or that all needed puck moving defenseman. Unfortunately, for the Jackets that window closed three years ago when Rusty was healthy.
What fans are left with is a meaningless trade to Phoenix for two players that Columbus essentially has at minor league Springfield. Sure, salary was dumped and veteran players were added but that doesn’t change the fact that this trade did not make the Jackets better. If anything, it hindered the possible growth of late season call ups for a seemingly unlikely playoff push. Talk to anyone in hockey that isn’t associated with the local Columbus media or the organization and they will tell you the same.
This trade was simply for show and General Manager Scott Howson knows it, an effort to look like he was trying to improve the team without giving up too much. In today’s NHL you have to part with something substantial to get something substantial and if that means shipping out first round draft picks, so be it. Howson refused to pull the trigger for the Brad Richards of the hockey world and when the Blue Jackets return from a grueling five game road trip out west it will be obvious to CBJ loyalists that this trade was meaningless window dressing.
With twenty one games left on the Blue Jackets schedule starting with tonight’s matchup in Vancouver, against the Canucks, the band aid approach that the Columbus front office insists is a possible cure all will only put the franchise back a few more years. If Howson is going to make a trade then it should be a headliner and not an after thought. That is precisely what the Los Angeles Kings did at the deadline in acquiring forward Dustin Penner from the Edmonton Oilers.
The Kings went out and improved their team substantially. They didn’t just put up new curtains to make the rink look nicer.
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Blue Jackets must prove themselves straight out of the gate in 2010-2011 campaign
By Peter D. McAlister
The Columbus Blue Jackets begin their 10th National Hockey League regular season in Stockholm this Friday and Saturday against the San Jose Sharks in what could be the start of a very successful franchise makeover or just another miserable seven month effort of lost opportunity and haplessness.
To say that the Jackets have underperformed for almost a decade in Ohio’s capital city is a monumental understatement. This is an organization that has had a top eight pick in the NHL draft for all but one year of its’ existence while free agents have been shipped in and shipped out to no avail. Granted there is a clean slate for the front office and coaching staff at the onset of the season but if this team doesn’t send a strong message to the rest of the league that they will compete night in and night out, there will be thousands of empty seats for home games in Nationwide Arena on a regular basis. Another poor start would lead to a very unstable financial situation that could mean life support for professional hockey in the Arena District and there is not one true fan in Columbus that wants to contemplate that very real scenario.
Head coach Scott Arniel appears to have a handle on what needs to be done to turn things around for the CBJ but the question must be asked: Can he and his staff do it with the current roster or should more changes in personnel be made by GM Scott Howson to make the club more competitive? Conventional wisdom says the latter unless a number of things happen to fall in place, then and only then would a stellar season and a Stanley Cup playoff birth be realistic.
Goaltenders Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon must carry the team on their shoulders early in the schedule until a comfort zone is found by the Jackets as it relates to Arniel’s new system and his style of speedy, aggressive play. It will not happen overnight but if they can stem the tide during what will obviously be an initial feeling out process, the club should excel in the long run. On offense, the second line simply must provide more firepower and goals this campaign and a much upgraded third line has to shut down opponent’s skill players while showing that they can light the lamp as well. The defensive pairings have to be responsible in their own zone but not hesitate to jump up offensively when the opportunity arises. Stay at home defensemen will not bring anything to the ice that Jackets Nation hasn’t witnessed before. Finally, tough and gritty hockey that will make opponents despise playing the Blue Jackets in Columbus, at their place, or even this weekend in Sweden, all the while incorporating a vastly improved power play and penalty kill.
This may be a lot to ask of the current CBJ lineup but rewards can be nearly endless in professional sports when a mere opportunity presents itself. It is high time for the Jackets to step up and meet this challenge. Two opening games across the pond against the San Jose Sharks may not seem important now but it could turn out to be a strong foundation for a promising 2010-2011, season. Currently, none of the 30 NHL franchises have a win or loss on their record. Today there can only be much hope and optimism all around.
The Columbus Blue Jackets begin their 10th National Hockey League regular season in Stockholm this Friday and Saturday against the San Jose Sharks in what could be the start of a very successful franchise makeover or just another miserable seven month effort of lost opportunity and haplessness.
To say that the Jackets have underperformed for almost a decade in Ohio’s capital city is a monumental understatement. This is an organization that has had a top eight pick in the NHL draft for all but one year of its’ existence while free agents have been shipped in and shipped out to no avail. Granted there is a clean slate for the front office and coaching staff at the onset of the season but if this team doesn’t send a strong message to the rest of the league that they will compete night in and night out, there will be thousands of empty seats for home games in Nationwide Arena on a regular basis. Another poor start would lead to a very unstable financial situation that could mean life support for professional hockey in the Arena District and there is not one true fan in Columbus that wants to contemplate that very real scenario.
Head coach Scott Arniel appears to have a handle on what needs to be done to turn things around for the CBJ but the question must be asked: Can he and his staff do it with the current roster or should more changes in personnel be made by GM Scott Howson to make the club more competitive? Conventional wisdom says the latter unless a number of things happen to fall in place, then and only then would a stellar season and a Stanley Cup playoff birth be realistic.
Goaltenders Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon must carry the team on their shoulders early in the schedule until a comfort zone is found by the Jackets as it relates to Arniel’s new system and his style of speedy, aggressive play. It will not happen overnight but if they can stem the tide during what will obviously be an initial feeling out process, the club should excel in the long run. On offense, the second line simply must provide more firepower and goals this campaign and a much upgraded third line has to shut down opponent’s skill players while showing that they can light the lamp as well. The defensive pairings have to be responsible in their own zone but not hesitate to jump up offensively when the opportunity arises. Stay at home defensemen will not bring anything to the ice that Jackets Nation hasn’t witnessed before. Finally, tough and gritty hockey that will make opponents despise playing the Blue Jackets in Columbus, at their place, or even this weekend in Sweden, all the while incorporating a vastly improved power play and penalty kill.
This may be a lot to ask of the current CBJ lineup but rewards can be nearly endless in professional sports when a mere opportunity presents itself. It is high time for the Jackets to step up and meet this challenge. Two opening games across the pond against the San Jose Sharks may not seem important now but it could turn out to be a strong foundation for a promising 2010-2011, season. Currently, none of the 30 NHL franchises have a win or loss on their record. Today there can only be much hope and optimism all around.
Jackets GM Scott Howson Scores With Center Ryan Johansen Choice
By Peter D. McAlister
Finally, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a bold move in the first round of tonight’s NHL entry draft. With all the allure of choosing a top defenseman, General Manager Scott Howson made the most defining decision in his short tenure in Ohio’s capital city. Conventional wisdom was out the door while making sure that forward Rick Nash is eventually paired with a center that will be on the top forward line within two seasons: it will happen. Along with last year’s first round pick, John Moore, they will be the two biggest additions to the roster in the Howson era that has begged for a fresh start since Doug MacLean was fired and left town for a radio talk show in Toronto.
Jacket fans now finally have reason to be optimistic. For all the negativity that surrounded this franchise in the 2009/2010 National Hockey League season, it is time for the team to man up and perform to the expectations that fans were privileged to witness with the likes of Tyler Wright in the organization’s infancy.
In game four of the Blue Jackets’ Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings two seasons ago, Nationwide Arena was a magical place to be. One can only hope that CBJ fans and the hockey world experience that very same magic next year.
Stay tuned.
Finally, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a bold move in the first round of tonight’s NHL entry draft. With all the allure of choosing a top defenseman, General Manager Scott Howson made the most defining decision in his short tenure in Ohio’s capital city. Conventional wisdom was out the door while making sure that forward Rick Nash is eventually paired with a center that will be on the top forward line within two seasons: it will happen. Along with last year’s first round pick, John Moore, they will be the two biggest additions to the roster in the Howson era that has begged for a fresh start since Doug MacLean was fired and left town for a radio talk show in Toronto.
Jacket fans now finally have reason to be optimistic. For all the negativity that surrounded this franchise in the 2009/2010 National Hockey League season, it is time for the team to man up and perform to the expectations that fans were privileged to witness with the likes of Tyler Wright in the organization’s infancy.
In game four of the Blue Jackets’ Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings two seasons ago, Nationwide Arena was a magical place to be. One can only hope that CBJ fans and the hockey world experience that very same magic next year.
Stay tuned.
Flurry of trades at deadline did little to improve Blue Jackets
By Peter D. McAlister
Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson has some explaining to do. Other than receiving a second round pick in the upcoming National Hockey League draft, the organization made little if any headway into improving the franchise. While handing out millions of dollars during the off season to an underachieving and out of shape Mike Commodore, Howson refused to resign one of the league’s tried and true veterans in Raffi Torres. Torres instantly became the leading scorer for the Buffalo Sabres as soon as the deal was finalized. Discarding the team’s most talented free agent for a fourth line defenseman, a free agent at that, and a draft pick simply does not cut it. Sixth and seventh round conditional picks don’t cut it either, regardless of the under performing trade bait that Howson dangled before any team that would listen.
If former GM Doug MacLean were to pull this stunt he would have been hung out to dry by the Columbus media. Why does Howson get a pass? Indifference maybe, but a more likely scenario is the fact that ownership is just sitting back hoping for the best and planning for the worst, as in a move out of town, while blaming a shrinking fan base and a unfavorable arena lease deal for the team’s peril. It is one thing to aggressively approach the trade deadline with good intentions but is totally baseless and unfair, as in the Jackets’ case, to make transactions with only the bottom line in mind. This is exactly what Howson orchestrated and it is inexcusable. When it comes to the salary cap the Blue Jackets are not now, or have ever been, even close to maxing out. Loyal fans certainly deserve better but you would never know it based on the current front office moves.
While most NHL franchises pushed forward at the deadline via roster additions, most notably New Jersey and Phoenix, or with a total rebuilding process as in the case of Toronto, the CBJ instead took the low road - the very low road. No bells, no whistles, no upgrades. It is one thing to attempt a makeover and fail but it is totally another matter to not even try. At the trade deadline Columbus did not even try. Until the organization changes from top to bottom, including perhaps ownership, this same scenario will continue to play itself out. Pinching pennies, pinching fan’s wallets and making every excuse imaginable to justify the team’s lack of competitiveness.
Loyal Jackets fans deserve better. Many of the faithful have been there since day one and have supported the team as well as the city of Columbus in an effort to bring major league sports to the state’s capital. When will this loyalty finally be rewarded? Unfortunately, under Scott Howson’s watch, it will not happen anytime soon, if ever.
Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson has some explaining to do. Other than receiving a second round pick in the upcoming National Hockey League draft, the organization made little if any headway into improving the franchise. While handing out millions of dollars during the off season to an underachieving and out of shape Mike Commodore, Howson refused to resign one of the league’s tried and true veterans in Raffi Torres. Torres instantly became the leading scorer for the Buffalo Sabres as soon as the deal was finalized. Discarding the team’s most talented free agent for a fourth line defenseman, a free agent at that, and a draft pick simply does not cut it. Sixth and seventh round conditional picks don’t cut it either, regardless of the under performing trade bait that Howson dangled before any team that would listen.
If former GM Doug MacLean were to pull this stunt he would have been hung out to dry by the Columbus media. Why does Howson get a pass? Indifference maybe, but a more likely scenario is the fact that ownership is just sitting back hoping for the best and planning for the worst, as in a move out of town, while blaming a shrinking fan base and a unfavorable arena lease deal for the team’s peril. It is one thing to aggressively approach the trade deadline with good intentions but is totally baseless and unfair, as in the Jackets’ case, to make transactions with only the bottom line in mind. This is exactly what Howson orchestrated and it is inexcusable. When it comes to the salary cap the Blue Jackets are not now, or have ever been, even close to maxing out. Loyal fans certainly deserve better but you would never know it based on the current front office moves.
While most NHL franchises pushed forward at the deadline via roster additions, most notably New Jersey and Phoenix, or with a total rebuilding process as in the case of Toronto, the CBJ instead took the low road - the very low road. No bells, no whistles, no upgrades. It is one thing to attempt a makeover and fail but it is totally another matter to not even try. At the trade deadline Columbus did not even try. Until the organization changes from top to bottom, including perhaps ownership, this same scenario will continue to play itself out. Pinching pennies, pinching fan’s wallets and making every excuse imaginable to justify the team’s lack of competitiveness.
Loyal Jackets fans deserve better. Many of the faithful have been there since day one and have supported the team as well as the city of Columbus in an effort to bring major league sports to the state’s capital. When will this loyalty finally be rewarded? Unfortunately, under Scott Howson’s watch, it will not happen anytime soon, if ever.
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