Glass Bangers: Olympic version, 1.0

When last I left this space it was late at night, and the Olympic break had begun.  The Jackets had completed the three game road trip through death valley recording 3 points with a win, a loss, and an overtime loss against the Ducks, Sharks, and Kings respectively.  Unfortunately Philly came out of this trip with 4 points, as well as winning their last two home games against Colorado and Calgary.  That leaves the CBJ out of the playoff picture for now, and looking in.  I am not really sure how I feel about that, and have been unable to string together some coherent thought on the issue.  I'd much rather be in, but sitting one point out of a wild card slot we are definitely in the conversation.  I suppose it will be easier to get rolling after the break if we are chasing something, so maybe in the long run I'll feel better about this position.  The good news is that we control our own destiny.  Win and we're in.  If you were going to put together a 19-5-5 run like last year, now would be a good time to do it.  Which would a be a real trick since there are only 24 games remaining.  But you know what I mean.  Hopefully they can find a sense of urgency early.  But, it is going to be fun, that's for sure.  Lots of cheers and tears left in this season.  I'm looking forward to it.

In keeping with the random nature of a Glass Bangers post, I'd like to talk about Doug MacLean.  Why?  Well because it's random, first of all.  Second, the John Davidson interview post that the DBJ put up reminded me of this issue.  They talked about JD's role in building the brand and all that.  Well anyway, I have a buddy that lives down in Vinton County.  Smart guy, been to a few games with me, knows where I am at with this team.  Here's a funny thing.  When I mention Doug MacLean, he knows who I am talking about.  So I asked him if he knew JD.  No, he didn't.  Why you ask?  He's only an hour and a half away?  He's tuned into the CBJ, he would listen if he had a chance.  The people in Athens are even closer, but they are in the same boat.  Why?  Because that is Penguins territory.  They have all the people in southeast Ohio tuned into the West Virginia TV stations.  So when JD says 'C'mon down to the Arena folks!' these Ohioans don't see it.  But Time Warner and Fox are big sponsors.  Ain't it time somebody does sumpin'?!?

Which brings me to Gaborik.  What a shame that he couldn't play in the Olympics.  It leaves him in a 'now what' situation, along with the organization.  With only 3 or 4 days to the trade deadline after the Olympic break, Gaborik would need to score at a hat trick per game pace to bring anything worth a darn in trade.  And to me, there is no sense in trading him for a sixth round pick.  You paid 2 first round picks and a player for him.  There is no way you are going to get that kind of return with his injury history what it is.  So I say we keep him.  According to the boys over on Cannon Fodder, he has tripped a clause in the CBA which makes him eligible for an incentive contract next year.  And, this is the type of player you might trade for at the deadline.  So keep him, and see if he pots 10 or so goals down the stretch.  That might be pretty valuable.  Plus he puts pressure on the lineup from the top, so that everyone is motivated to perform.  So sign him to a one or two year incentive contract so he can prove to the league he can still play.  That will allow him to get what he wants out of free agency, and by that time we'll have number one picks banging on the door looking for ice time.  I don't think we have a lot to lose at this point.

How about that Japanese ladies hockey team.  The scored their first goal in the Olympic tournament in 16 years.  Remind me to re-calibrate how I feel about a good effort in a loss.  Whew.  Good for them.

The men's Olympic tournament starts soon.  Sorry, but I just don't identify with this US team.  There is no connection for me, and a number of the players I loathe for good reason.  I'm having a hard time turning that off.  It won't be that hard if they are playing Canada.  But when they are playing Russia, I don't know....  Maybe having the league back out of the Olympics is a good thing after this one.  That way I could go back to unabashed adoration of the USA team.

Cable was out on Sunday, someone took out a pole.  Son of a gun if the USA didn't win at Lake Placid again.  Seems like that movie always ends the same way!!

Ride the cold folks, and stay warm.  March will come in like a lion, with Blue Jackets games galore in a stretch run to the playoffs!!

GO JACKETS!!