tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post3010749987044332907..comments2023-10-23T15:54:13.715-04:00Comments on The Dark Blue Jacket: There is preseason hype,but is there October hope?Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03563836029433927521noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-68686495800053472252013-08-05T11:28:40.471-04:002013-08-05T11:28:40.471-04:00Personally I don't hate on RJ - however this p...Personally I don't hate on RJ - however this past season's performance puts the spotlight on his contract. If RJ returns to the 20G/45+ pts a year form he's proved he's capable of, it's certainly money well spent. If not, yeesh. The Jackets still have the June 2014 window to use their 2 compliance buyouts.<br /><br />Interesting thought though, is it JD's M.O. to saddle a team with the long term affects of a compliance buyout? I think the cap, more than player performance, may force the front office's hand in that regard. The buyouts give the team cap room, but the Columbus Red Ink Jackets can't afford 4-6 years of buyout money that is taken from the bottom line.Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00956860295146122482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-35064004901247650802013-07-30T12:08:41.658-04:002013-07-30T12:08:41.658-04:00Wow...it seems like there's a lot of hating on...Wow...it seems like there's a lot of hating on Umberger...he did sign a chunky no-trade contract and have an off-year [he chose to spend the lockout in Columbus with his family and helping OSU's hockey team out, I believe], but that's no reason to buy out the guy and send him off. RJ has played 99% of the games since he joined the blue jackets 5 years ago. Last year, he had the most ice time of any forward. Sure, his point totals have been down the last 2 years, but he's still a great player to put in front of an opponent's net. He brings non-statistical intangibles to the game...Buy him out? What's that gonna cost this team? $12 million for him not to play? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-22571358053247016312013-07-30T09:11:32.103-04:002013-07-30T09:11:32.103-04:00Really risky business keeping Umberger around and ...Really risky business keeping Umberger around and not signing Prospal; 18 should have been the first to be bought out; nobody is going to want him and his contract at the trade deadline. This could all look pretty amateur-ish if Jenner fails to secure a roster spot due to having an overcrowded locker room.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-35718978557433571002013-07-29T23:43:23.220-04:002013-07-29T23:43:23.220-04:00Er, didn't Morgan write this article? A very ...Er, didn't Morgan write this article? A very good write up for the up coming season. Down to earth and keeping it real. I think Jarmo made two big mistakes this offseason. 1. Keeping Umberger and 2. Not signing Prospal immediately. Umberger did have his moments last year and created opportunities for others. But, he is tying up way too much cap space for that role. If he isn't putting pucks in the net or carrying the team on his shoulders, he needs to go. Vinny was the leader in the locker room and often on the ice. He held the team to task on bad nights and got their young heads pointed in the right direction. On top of the leadership, he put pucks in the net and set up others constantly. His line was always leading the charge. I know he is old, but not signing him just seems stupid from a team chemistry perspective. <br /><br />I'm scratching my head and hoping it doesn't bite the team hard come October.PKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-42861880335302591232013-07-27T21:42:52.446-04:002013-07-27T21:42:52.446-04:00That's one fine post, Gallos. Still shaking m...That's one fine post, Gallos. Still shaking my head over the Prospal non-signing...and sharing your concerns about injuries and goalies that drop back to earth. <br /><br />Todd Richards is going to earn his keep this season, that's fer sher.Dark Blue Jacketnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-46547314405308777082013-07-25T09:19:13.424-04:002013-07-25T09:19:13.424-04:00Great article...
The Jackets' scoring has alwa...Great article...<br />The Jackets' scoring has always been a need. And, yes, I'll miss Prospal, too, but I expect Gaborik to lead the team in scoring next season. And all the other guys haven't hit their prime yet, so I think they'll improve on their point totals, too. <br />But who picks up that leadership role? The oldest guy on the team is Derek MacKenzie (31?) now...<br /><br />But next year, like last year, will be all about the D. I could argue that it's one of the top 10 in the league. For the first time in franchise history, the team scored more goals than it gave up...But that leads to the glaring hole in Columbus: who's Bob's back-up? I don't expect him to play 70+ games. What if they need him for the playoffs? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com