James Wisniewski Suspended for 8 Games because Crosby Punched Dubinsky

Dubinsky - Too Smart to Punch Crosby

Tonight, Brendan Shanahan, President of Hockey Operations for the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced he was suspending James Wisniewski for 8 games because Sidney Crosby punched Brandon Dubinsky.  Shanahan observed that Wisniewski was lucky that Dubinsky was too smart to punch Crosby, and that as a previous offender he deserved everything that Crosby had coming to him.  Besides, Shanahan observed, this move (suspending Wisniewski) has worked well for him in the past.

In trivial hockey news, not really significant to hockey pundits, was the fact that the Columbus Blue Jackets moved to 2-0 on the season series with their Metropolitan Division competitors, the Pittsburgh Penguins.  This was attributed to solar flares, and other inexplicable natural phenomenon, because everyone knows, including the fourth string announcers that NBC used for this game, that the Pittsburgh Penguins are a really great team, and ready to drive for a Stanley Cup any time, in spite of their interim general manager and coach.  The preceding statements do not apply to Blake Comeau, who is  a good dude and deserves everything he earns with Pittsburgh, and that we really could have used what he offers at a lot of times in this season, but I didn't really want to go there.

Meanwhile, Mrs Gallos observed that the Wisniewski gag was going to get really old at some point in time, that was rapidly approaching.  To which Gallos jauntily retorted that you can't make up stuff this stupid, and that history was my protector..... or something dumb like that.

GO JACKETS!!

Give Ian Clark a Raise

Ian Clark coaching up Jeremy Smith.  "this means
get me outta the game!!"

Curtis McElhinney set a career mark in saves last night, and is looking very solid in the absence of the Number 1 goal tender, Bobrovsky.  In last night's win against the Flyers, CMac made an unbelievable cross crease glove save on Jake Voracek to preserve a fragile lead.  Even then, the Flyers pushed back to a tie in that wild second period.

What is clear is that McElhinney is playing at a level that represents some of the best play in his career.  Why then, at this point?  Getting routine work contributes of course (taking notes Richie?).  There is something to be said for not riding the number 1 goal tender like a rented mule.  McElhinney is playing for a contract, and if this team is going to make any noise next year it HAS to have a solid back up.  I think Forsberg is going to be a very good goal tender, but he does not seem ready to be number 2, and contracts don't come much cheaper than McElhinney's.  You could give him a nice raise on a 1 year deal, and be VERY cap friendly.

To me, a prime reason why McElhinney is playing so well is Ian Clark.  Once he came in as a full time goal tender coach, the position has steadily become of  position of strength.  Getting Bobrovsky of course was a key, but someone needs to keep Bob at the top of his game,   But is that Clark?  Well McElhinney has definitely come around.  Mike McKenna did well in relief of both Bob and McElhinney, and realistically, Forsberg hasn't played that poorly, but he definitely has drawn some games where we ran into a buzz saw (Lightening, Islanders).

In my opinion, Clark is slowly but surely turning the goal tending position into a position of strength for the organization.  If we ever want to make some real noise in the playoffs, real depth at the position will be necessary.  We seem to be on the right path, so let's make sure we keep this guy!

GO JACKETS!!!

Gaining Perspective

Tanking is a risky business, just ask Edmonton

Last night's third period was difficult to stomach.  That's part of the reason I put off this post until now.  I needed to shake off the anger born of competitive spirit, and try to put this game in perspective.  I have stated previously in this blog that I thought this year's CBJ were last year's Islanders.  Last year, the Islanders were picked to play well, their goal tender got injured, and down they went.  They profited from that by solving their goal tending problem with Halak, and solidifying their blue line in free agency.  The result is a very good team that has been building for years.  The only thing that the CBJ lack looking to next year compared to this year's Islanders is that first overall draft pick. [cut to commercial]

If you are paying attention Mr. Bettman, Conner McDavid would MAKE THE NHL A BUCKETFULL OF MONEY playing in Columbus [citation needed], so when you are putting a decal on the ball with the magnet, make it the CBJ.  He would not make the NHL any more money playing in Toronto because the NHL is wringing as much money as they can out of that area short of bringing in the Mets, er, I mean, another franchise.  And this is a real threat, as Untersee Kapitan Shanahan has sounded the Klaxon horn to dive the U-boat Maple Leafs, and a scorched earth rebuild looms in Ontario.  [now back to your regularly scheduled programming]

I was pretty impressed with the Islanders last night.  A very physical team, with a fair amount of skill.  They have it all going for them this year, their last year on Long Island before the move to Brooklyn, and after a very long dry spell that's appropriate.  The CBJ have any thing but 'it all going for them' this year  But despite their lowly place in the standings, I like what I saw from the CBJ last night.  The fish mongers put their foot on the gas early and late, and shaped the game with their physical play (which was impressive).  The CBJ fought back, and had the game tied 3-3 going into the third period.  In a road game, that's what you want, a chance to only have to win one period to win the game.  It didn't happen last night, but the CBJ still put themselves in a good position with a dogged level of fight that was pleasing.

I've watched many a lost season for the CBJ.  As a consequence of that, I've watched a lot of bad hockey, and know what it looks like.  This team is not playing bad hockey.  They make mistakes, yes and there are some holes in the line up that the young talent in Springfield may fill next year.  Which brings up its own issues, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.  The even better news is that this years draft will provide another restock of talent, so what we pull out of the system for next years team, is going to be replaced from the bottom.

So I want to win this year, but I want to do it in a fashion to maximize our draft position.  The reality of the situation is that in spite of my gnashing of teeth in the third period last night, the Islanders helped us out in that regard.  I know many of us don't like that at all, so I want to leave you with something I observed last night.

In our game last Monday, LA's Jeff Carter was motivated by the boos raining down on him from the CBJ faithful.  Since Carter was actually trying for once, he pulled some pretty slick moves out of his pocket, and twice he took shot on goal right from the face off.  Both Johansen and Wennberg went against him in the face off circle, with not real good results.  Last night I saw Johansen step through a face off and unload an excellent shot on net.  My point is that he learned that, and all of a sudden we see him taking that lesson and putting it into his repertoire.  Likewise for Wennberg, last night's game was physically 'rich' for him at times.  He has shown a marked tendency to take those lessons and apply them in later games, and he'll be stronger next year.  These lessons may seem hard bought at this juncture, but they will pay off down the road.

Last night an excellent Islanders team pulled away from the CBJ.  But the core of the CBJ looks good, and they showed moxie in coming back to tie the game late in the second.  These things will pay off down the road.  With a bit of perspective, I am content with the result.

GO JACKETS!

Hey Ref! The Trailer Park Called, and They Can't Find Their Trash!

No Sir.  I can't explain why it's goalie interference on you
and not on them....

One of my great hopes as a long term Blue Jackets fan is that some day I will abandon the notion that it is plausible to communicate on a one on one basis with the referees from the upper bowl.  I'm pretty sure that this notion is stupid, but I can't say that I'm a true believer.  Nonetheless, it remains an elusive area of personal improvement, and when confronted with situations like tonight's game it must be confessed that my fall is rapid and complete.

When faced with a personal failure of such magnitude, it is important to rapidly deflect and or assign blame elsewhere.  Here 'Hockey Bob' comes to my rescue.  Hockey Bob, as quoth his jersey, was apparently an old Chill fan, and in the early days when our tickets were still in section 210 Hockey Bob and his minions were still bellowing 'give him a groin injury!!' with all the wrong inflection.  A personal favorite Hockey Bob chant of mine was ' We Want...Free Beer'!!!  Well duh!  That will make an entertaining hockey game!  Then one memorable day I was to receive a copy of his list of 'cheers'.  Many of them were too long to be effective, but the title was one that seemed relatively pertinent.  And here I was tonight, quizzing the ref on waste disposal once more.

This all seems ungrateful for a team that tied the game late, then won it in overtime.  The CBJ were able to rise above the officiating by making 'no-doubt' goals to tie, and then win the game. The officials may have had a less than stellar outing, but it didn't decide the game, which is all you are looking for in some ways, unless you are old and cynical fans, and then you assume the worst anyway.

The CBJ were somehow able to overcome several institutional (the Flyers) obstacles and non institutional obstacles (the Referees) to gain a victory.  But that doesn't mean I didn't take the opportunity to attempt to advise the non-institutional obstacles of their personal inefficiency.  But that is a personal problem.  The important thing for tonight is an Eastern Conference win.  It wasn't easy, but that is what overtime is for.  Well done to the CBJ for closing that deal!!

GO JACKETS!!

Time to Celebrate

Tomorrow we celebrate Scott Hartnell's 1000th game in the NHL, which he played Monday night.  The Flyers, where he played many of those games, are in town for the festivities.  That should be fun.

Hartnell has been a solid acquisition for the CBJ.  I always like Umberger, but he made his choice, and that's fine.  Hartnell was a good swap, and a solid veteran presence in a locker room of young players.

But mainly I wrote this because I was tired of Carter's smug-a** face on our blog.  That's a good reason for a post as any.  Tomorrow will be a fun game.

GO JACKETS!!!

Why We Boo Jeff Carter

The Gatsby of Hockey.  Jeff Carter in 2011.  Could be the best
player in the game.  Not interested in trying to be that.

Blue Jackets fans and Jeff Carter have a hate:hate relationship that goes way back.  Fundamentally, Blue Jackets fans value effort, and if you try your best, but can't do it, we tend to be good with that.  Jeff Carter may never have played his best.  He is a sublime talent, a superb, effortless skater, and he is used to getting by on his talent.  So to him, effort is optional.

It's a risky business booing Jeff Carter.  It is one of the few things on this earth that seems to get his attention.  We saw that tonight, as he was greeted with a warm round of boos every time he touched the puck, and proceeded to have a goal and an assist on the Kings first three scores.  Darryl Sutter kept throwing him out there, because for once in his coaching career he had an engaged Jeff Carter.  Sutter is too smart to waste that opportunity.

I have a good friend from North Bay, who doesn't understand the booing, and thinks it bush league.  Well, yeah, he's right.  As a fan base, we are pretty much in the unruly teen years (15).  So we are going to do things like that.  I can live with that.  In fact I embrace it.  This fan base will continue to boo Jeff Carter because he represents every thing we loathe.  First of all, he rejected us as a fan base.  Howson made the decision to bring him here, even though Carter didn't want it, the first domino in a disastrous set of moves that set the franchise back 5 years.  Carter never wanted to be here, and never really tried to even put the happy face on it.  As a group, the CBJ fans don't deal with rejection well.  Tonight was clear cut evidence of that.

The other reason that CBJ fans boo Jeff Carter, is because he has the talent to be the best player in the league.  I'm not a big fan of Sidney Crosby by any stretch, but at least he works.  Carter is handicapped by a silky smooth, effortless skating stride, that allows him to go really fast without appearing to try.  He has sublime hands, and great ice vision.  And he only uses these assets to get by with the least amount of effort possible.

Jeff Carter could be the best player in the game today, if he chose to be.  He doesn't choose to be.  And for that choice, CBJ fans will continue to disdain him, and boo him regardless of the cost.

The defending Stanley Cup champs looked the part tonight.  The pretending CBJ also looked the part tonight, being thoroughly outclassed, in many instances, except for those few ill-advised efforts to pick a fight with Boll.  All that considered, the CBJ still made them sweat a bit down the stretch, and the end of the game was entertaining.

Once when he played for the CBJ, Jeff Carter got a hat trick on the road in the first period against the Predators.  They won that game late, and they said in post game that they knew Carter wouldn't score again.  He did his gig, then quit trying.  Tonight's game was a bit like that.  He got booed, got an assist and a goal, and was done for the evening.  He didn't need to do any more.  He played a lot, and the CBJ struggled to contain him.  That's who he is.  And he schooled Joey and Wennberg on a couple of face offs for sure.  But those two will remember it, and learn from it, and it was Stoll taking those defensive zone face offs late in the game when the goal tender was pulled, even though Carter was on the ice.

The better team won tonight.  These Kings are still a really good team.  I think they will pull it together to make the playoffs.  But what then?  Does Carter wait till its too late to start trying?  It should be entertaining to watch.

Jeff Carter could be the best player in the NHL.  He chooses not to be.  So we boo him, and to hell with the consequences.  And that's the way it should be.

GO JACKETS!!!!

Gutting One Out on a Backdrop of Injuries

Curtis McElhinney has been stout of late

Last night, the pregame opened with the news the Ryan Murray would be out 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain.  It certainly has been an ill-fated sophomore campaign for the young defenseman.

While I have been an advocate of having him spend some time in the AHL, his few games back in the lineup while healthy have shown him to be definitely NHL ready.  The injury has nothing to do with his previous struggles, so that is the sole positive note from the whole thing.

On the game front, the CBJ came out and played a sound defensive game on legs that seemed to have left a lot of energy in the St. Louis game.  It was a slow game, but the CBJ managed a decent forecheck, and keep the shot count tilted their way for a lot of the first period.  Curtis McElhinney picked up where he left off against St. Louis, continuing a very solid run of play.  This is an interesting time for CMac, because this is an audition for a contract next year.  Forsberg hasn't been bad, and he hasn't gotten a lot of support, but he's not looking NHL ready.  Another season in the AHL would be fine on his development track, and if McElhinney can win some games in this stretch with Bob out, another contract is a good idea.  On a personal note, I am glad to see him play so well, as it has been a long road for him.

We acquired McElhinney during the nadir of the Arniel debacle, as a throw in on the trade of Antoine Vermette to Phoneix.  McElhinney was an unrestricted free agent who was on injured reserve, and out for the rest of the season following hip surgery.  The CBJ signed him to a two way deal in the offseason, and in 2011-12 he spent the year in Springfield, playing very well, and proving his durability.  The following year was the lockout, and Mike McKenna and Mike Smith were signed to provide goal tending in Springfield, while McElhinney was given an NHL contract to back up Bobrovsky.

This next stretch is critical for a lot of players on this team.  The trade deadline looms, March 2, and this team wants to show Jarmo and JD that they can win no matter how beat up they are.  This would provide incentive to Jarmo and JD to keep the group together.  McElhinney and Bobrovsky work well together.  If this stretch goes well for CMac it is probably time to sign him again.  He is a very cost effective contract, and you could give him a nice raise and not lose that aspect.  In addition, perhaps its time for him to see more regular game action, spelling Bobrovsky on a more regular basis, as an attempt to prevent future injuries to Bobrovsky.  You can't make noise in the playoffs without an effective backup goal tender.  Your number one guy has to have something in the tank when the playoffs start.  It's not going to happen this year, but I like our chances next year.  There is a whole lot of foundation being laid this year that supports that notion.

As far as the game, if it's tied 0-0 at the end of two, that's a good road game, especially on the second night of a back to back.  All you have to do is win one period.  Cam got it going with the first goal, Foligno followed up with an insurance goal.  Which was good to have because Ottawa finally got on the board with 5 minutes left in the game.  The CBJ withstood the push, and regained some possession towards the end.  Ottawa finally pulled the goal tender, and Scott Hartnell lobbed a back hand wedge shot over Karlsson's head (LOL) into the empty net.  The look on Karlsson's face was priceless.  Then Letestu skated past a motionless Ottawa defense to score with 12 second left, cause Lehner to throw his stick in frustration, and all of a sudden it was a laugher.  Eleven goals in 2 games does something to budge the 1.3 gpg from the previous 3 games.

Monday Scott Hartnell plays in his 1000th NHL game.  I look forward to cheering him loud and long for that accomplishment.  He's a good guy to have on our team.

GO JACKETS!!

Dangerous Ground for Ken Hitchcock

I have long been an admirer of Ken Hitchcock.  I am content that he is coaching a high powered St. Louis Blues team, and frankly would be perfectly satisfied to see the Blues finally win that Cup under Hitch's leadership.  This Blues team just set a franchise record for a consecutive point streak, and this franchise has been around for awhile.

Hitch Working the Bench in Days of Yore

Tonight was our night.  The bounces cut our way, and given the plethora of games where they did not bounce our way, it was great to see one of those games break our way.  In my last post I talked about a Coyotes defenseman falling down, swinging wildly at the puck, and making a perfect clear.  It was that type of night for the Blue Jackets.

The risk for Hitch is that he believes that is a representative result against his group, or that it resulted from a lack of effort on their part.  Perhaps a shade of understandable over confidence, but not an effort deficit.  The CBJ put 7 goals past two pretty good goalies tonight.  Since we averaged 1.3 goals per game (gpg) in the prior 3 games, forgive me if I don't start polishing my faux Stanley Cup.  A smart and experienced hockey coach like Hitch will write it off as one of those things that happen to all teams.

Another risk for Hitch is that he over does 'beating' on a team that probably really doesn't need it.  The Blues are a really good team.  They are cruising for the Cup playoffs in the central division, and you want to save that card (if you are Hitchcock) until the playoffs, when that jolt from the coach may make a real difference.

Tonight was 'best tryer' night for the CBJ.  Everything they did ended up with a CBJ goal somewhere along the way, and everybody gets a trophy.  How cool.

But the Blues are poised for a Cup run, and personally, I wish them well.  I'd love to see Hitch get another Stanley Cup.

GO JACKETS!!

A Day Late and A Dollar Short

The last time I dug out the bottom feeder graphic
they went 10-1-1.  Don't think so this time.

The Blue Jackets got booed in their own arena tonight.  That's because they were being outworked by the Phoenix Arizona Coyotes for the second time this year.  The 'Yotes have embraced their role as a bottom feeder and a spoiler this year.  That awful truth and reality is just hitting home to the Jackets players, and it's fair to say they have not adjusted well to that reality.  And I'm okay with that.  Tonight the Coyotes completed the season sweep of the Jackets, and it wasn't that close.

It is easy to say that the flaws in this team are clear without Bobrovsky.  But 4 goals in 4 games has nothing to do with Bobrovsky.  A 1.0 GPG isn't going to get it done in Bantam hockey, much less the NHL.  The shocking thing was to see that late in the third period the shots were tied at something like 28.  That means the Coyote in the center of Mike Smith's chest had been hit 27 times.  Hell, I could play NHL goalie if the opposing team promised to always hit the logo on my chest.  Perhaps that is an exaggeration, but that is how it felr as a fan watching the game.

But speaking purely as a fan, not a hockey analyst by any stretch, you couldn't find a more snake bit team than the CBJ right now.  A 'Yote defenseman falls down, swings wildly at the puck.  Perfect clear.  Maybe it is their superior skill, but I doubt it.  However, it is true that the 'Yotes have owned the CBJ this year, though I am not sure why.  Something about us brings out the best in them.  Power to them.

I have an uneasy feeling about this next month.  The trade deadline is less than a month away, and I think that is suddenly being keenly felt in the CBJ locker room.  There will be changes, perhaps more drastic than you and I can foresee.  The hard part in this is estimating the pace of development of the talent in the pipeline.  Howson over estimated what he had, and it cost him his job.  Jarmo and JD have been more patient, with only Wennberg being sacrificed to the exigencies of this season.  Bjorkstrand remains in Juniors, playing for the Portland Winterhawks.  Dano, Rychal and Anderson are resolutely held in the AHL, in spite of an NHL team screaming for talent.  Jarmo may get raked over the coals for this patience, but he will be rewarded in the long run.

Keep in mind that Jarmo and JD have their sights firmly set on a serious Cup run three years from now (IMHO).  To make a serious Cup run 3 years from now, you need to make some noise 2 years from now.  That means Wennberg, Rychal, Dano and Bjorkstrand need to be impact players in 2 more years.  How best do you get there?  As you look at this 'Bobless' team, it makes it easier to see what parts are going to be necessary to make some real noise 2 years from now, and what parts aren't going to get that done.

If you think you want to do what I have described above, giving Rychal, Dano, and Anderson serious ice time down the stretch after the trade deadline seems imperative.  What veterans do you keep?  Letestu seems certain, with his cost effective contract.  Dubi, Nick, Joey and Hartsy (sorry Morgan) Dubinsky, Foligno, Johansen, and Hartnell for sure.  After that?  Jenner is out, but he'll be in, so let's add him in.  After that the only thing dictating your behavior is opportunity.  If that opportunity included a first round pick in this draft, it might be pretty tempting.  Especially since you have defensemen to sweeten the pot.  Young prospect?  Sure!  Veteran D-man for the run?  We can help you out!  How about a few forwards for the draft pick?

Interesting times for the CBJ.  A dog of a game raises the stakes for some players on this team.  Hopefully there is better hockey than tonight's game to be seen as the season winds down.

GO JACKETS!!

Happy GroundHockey Day

Unfortunately, this morning Stinger got up and saw his shadow, which means there's only 10 more weeks of CBJ hockey.  We are caught in a numbers game that is looking more and more unfavorable.  The Tampa Bay game was a killer, and going oh-for-Florida really hurt.  The math said we had maybe 9 games to lose after the All-Star Game, and there was two of them right there.  The team didn't necessarily play poorly, but was prone to mistakes that the other teams made them pay for.  Which describes how things are going.  Not to mention that 3 goals in two games on the road is not going to get it done.

The next few weeks could be really interesting, as we are carrying 9 defensemen, and falling rapidly into 'seller' status at the trade deadline.  And the question of what to do with the young guys down in Springfield at the end of the season starts to loom.  Do you give them extended tryouts to acclimate them to the NHL as a season goes down the tubes, or do you leave them in Springfield to try to win something?  These are tough questions for Jarmo.  In many ways, getting Rychal, Dano, and Anderson ready for next year should be a paramount priority, it is just the question of what serves them best.

Wennberg is poised to lead that group of young players.  He really played well Saturday night, in spite of a tough outcome on a backhanded clear out from in front of the net on bad rebound.  I thought that line of Wennberg, Anderson, and Anisimov looked really fast and really dangerous when they had a chance to play together.  We only got to see it for two or three games before Anderson went back down, but there is real potential there.

Bjorkstrand should be ready for the AHL next year for sure.  Holy smokes, 34G-34A-68P in 40 games?  Oliver looked like a stud in the World Juniors too.  A year of seasoning in the AHL, then the jump to the big club.  Those are definitely Junior Hockey type numbers, but it will be interesting to see what he carries forward into the pro ranks. And the way things are looking now, the CBJ look to be in prime position to stock the lower ranks with more talent from the top end of a loaded draft this year.  And while Sonny Milano still looks a couple years out, he has real potential.

This has been a tough year.  I think the team is going to continue to play good, entertaining hockey down the stretch, but the weight of the unbelievable injuries is finally becoming too much. But there is a lot to like in the foundations of this hockey club.

I decided not to publish my rant Saturday night.  I was just too angry with the outcome.  Which is good.  By 2010-11 I could sit and watch a game like that without budging from my chair.  The vehemence of my vitriol is evidence that I care again, and those kind of losses are tough to take.  And best kept to oneself.

Here's a little anecdote for you to ponder on Groundhockey Day.  You remember Adam Foote, the Captain who ran out of town?  Scott Hartnell is the first round draft pick we got for him from Colorado.  We traded that pick for Umby.  So Foote is out of the game, but we are still living large on that transaction.  Hartsy is going to play his 1000th game next Monday if all goes well.  How cool is that?

GO JACKETS!!