Paul Berthelot: Post Battle ECQF #6: Jackets lose, experience playoff disappointment Blue Jackets lose Game 6 6-3 to the Washington Capitals

well at least a basis for making the post-season has been established, every time the cbj made it (2009 , 2014, 2016) the dynamic of the teams were pretty different and had nothing to do with the previous editions, at least this group is playing and learning to win and lose together. This time there's a continuation.

cowardly dogs got what they deseved

cowardly dogs got what they deseved
- KINGKENZO

oh my

A few thoughts:
-Overall, I think CBJ is trending in the right direction
-Bread, PLD, and Cam were good and all found the net twice.
-Seth Jones was a monster
-It was Bob's best series with CBJ (the bar wasn't very high tbh, but still)
-Ryan Murray had the best series that too few people will talk about. He was a +3 with over 21 min/game and led the team with 20 blocked shots.
-I was a little disappointed with now Nutivaara played. He had some absolutely awful turnovers and at times looked really out of place on the ice. I would have given some thought to putting JMFJ in games 5/6.
-Bjorky/Milano both looked lost. Very, very disappointing to me just how poor I thought both of those guys played when they were given the opportunity.
-Letestu and Vanek were largely absent from the series. A little disheartening to see them disappear after being crucial to us getting in the postseason.

Overall, it was a successful season and yet a very disappointing one. The bar has to be set higher than this. I still think we're on the right track, but this was a series that you have to win when you're up 2-0 and losing it this way shows we still have a long way to go to be truly competitive in trying to win a championship. Hopefully this offseason sees further improvements.

Sorry, but I'm not sorry... As much as I like Bobrovski, the CBJ deserve losing because they tanked the last few games to avoid the Penguins.. I have no respect for any team that doesn't play to win every night!!

They are another "lost" franchise, wandering in NHL darkness There are several of these lost NHL franchises. These franchises have achieved some measure of success over their existence but never reaching the ultimate goal.

A few I would include are: St.Louis, Columbus, Vancouver, Florida, Phoenix,Buffalo, and Ottawa.

They are another "lost" franchise, wandering in NHL darkness There are several of these lost NHL franchises. These franchises have achieved some measure of success over their existence but never reaching the ultimate goal.

A few I would include are: St.Louis, Columbus, Vancouver, Florida, Phoenix,Buffalo, and Ottawa.
- wingz4life

Have fun in the Wilderness 4life, enjoy sitting by yourself in that new arena for the next decade or so.

Have fun in the Wilderness 4life, enjoy sitting by yourself in that new arena for the next decade or so.
- jkumpire

I never understood the argument of ''I have a stanley so shut up you have no rights''....also in Detroits case Holland just threw money at players to win cups. Now without his infinite space he has no clue how to manage a cap.

My thoughts about this disaster:

1. For years now I've said the CBJ needs more offense, we do not have enough up front to win against top teams. I think it was proven again; the power play died, once Breadman was corralled (injury perhaps) the CBJ had a hard time in the offensive and neutral zone. Meanwhile, especially in Game 6 it seemed like every line Washington put out there turned the Jackets over and had an odd-man rush.

2. These two items have already been spoken of; a. have we seen the best of Bob? In game six he gave up goals that he needed to stop, after three series where he did not play up to expectations and got out played do we have a great goalie who cannot win in the post-season? It sure looks like it. b, the kids, especially Sonny Milano and Markus Nutivaara were awful or on the bench. Since there isn't anyone in Cleveland pushing for a spot, these guys have to play, and especially with Milano he better suck it up and get better real quick.

3. The biggest problem is the fact that the core group on this team failed again, from the Captain on down. I really like these players and Nick Foligno seems like a great man on and off the ice. But when the leaders of the Caps stepped up their game, the leaders of the CBJ didn't. At this point that says that either they are not good enough to compete for the Cup, or they are not mentally tough enough when the pressure is on.

4. The fact that Torts in the postgame seemed to try and take one for the team and shield the players from criticism by taking blame for the travel schedule that hurt the team shows to me a mature coach who knows how to play the PR game well. It is not his fault the CBJ lost, it is the fault of the players that they lost the series after being up 2-0. Probably the front office has to share in the blame because the young players except Dubois failed and the player pool is not deep in Columbus or Cleveland.

5. I am very sad to see how Vanek and Letestu were torched in the playoffs after doing great work in the regular season. I hate to think that both of these veterans possibly played their last games in the NHL and played so bad. they both want to return, is there anyone who thinks they should be resigned?

6. Somebody needs to walk the plank for the special teams, the PP and PK were awful all season long, even with the PP improvement late in the season. Either players or maybe a coach should be fired for it,

So what do you do? I do not know, things are not going to get better and the team is a mess.

Looking at the UFA's it seems to me the only ones worth trying to keep are Ian Cole, and maybe Calvert. Sadly, I also think trading Dubinsky is a good idea, but he can be the #4 center for a couple of years then you buy him out. IMO maybe they should buy him out now, but that's expensive and he gets paid for a long time. Murray is an RFA, and needs to be resigned, do you want to resign Jenner?

People that need shopped: Jenner, who is a RFA. Is he really good enough to be a top 6 player, and paid like it? Dubinsky and Foligno, both who have big contracts and would be hard to trade. Are they worth the salary? Can Dubi ever get healthy enough to be effective, or is he on the downside?

Here's the big one: Listen to offers for Bobrovsky. If he is not the goalie who can take you past the first round of the playoffs, now is the time to trade him and his $8 million cap hit. It will be hard to replace him in the regular season, but if you can find someone close to his ability with playoff series wins, go for it.

Free Agents: So far IMO there are only two (other than Cole) worth going after, John Tavaras and Mark Stone. Open the bank vault for Tavaras and see if you get Stone on the cheap. After that, if someone interesting at a low cap hit and term comes by then take a look at him.

If the offense is not greatly upgraded this team is not going anywhere, and maybe a new goalie is needed for the team to make a serious cup run. After a massive drought due to incompetence in the Front Office after the birth of the franchise, it's been great to play 5 or 6 exciting playoff games.

The novelty has now worn off.

well at least a basis for making the post-season has been established, every time the cbj made it (2009 , 2014, 2016) the dynamic of the teams were pretty different and had nothing to do with the previous editions, at least this group is playing and learning to win and lose together. This time there's a continuation.
- Alexzanki

even tho this didn't go the length, this was one of my favorite series to watch of round 1. The games were all close (Scorewise atleast) and there was exciting end to end action. I mean the blue jackets came within a few inches in game 3's first OT of going up 3-0. Just goes to show how quickly things can change.

even tho this didn't go the length, this was one of my favorite series to watch of round 1. The games were all close (Scorewise atleast) and there was exciting end to end action. I mean the blue jackets came within a few inches in game 3's first OT of going up 3-0. Just goes to show how quickly things can change.
- DeflatedPucks

Yes that goal post , mentioned it to my friend this morning it was the turning point in the series.

After watching Boston and Toronto last night it's hard to believe there wasn't a deal that could have been made with Toronto for JJ. Their BL is terrible. Now JJ walks for nothing.. Bad on Jarmo.