It is the second of January and this is the time where we all talk about how our holidays were, how the past was, and what we have to do in the new year with resolutions and how to look ahead for a better and fresher start. Yesterday we saw the embarrassment that is a 7 unanswered goal collapse in the fortress of Nationwide Arena, a full collapse where they play their best hockey. It’s time to call it as it should’ve been from the beginning.
The season is lost. It is over. And Carolina showed Columbus how it was to be when you are the best team in your division playing the worst team in it. Yes, while the Islanders and Devils are trail with more games played, Columbus is youngest and weakest team in the Metro, and it is time to sell off assets to keep the build going.
Enough is enough Kek. We all loved the hot strong first quarter, but the other quarters are duds. The kids were great, let them develop where it is right in Cleveland. Don’t push them closer to unrestricted free agency when you are in total control. The European depth adds can add picks to the arsenal in the upcoming drafts, and it is time for Larsen and company to start playing them.
Justin Danforth may be on the IR for now, but Brendan Gaunce needs to be recalled to boost value. Scott Harrington and Dean Kukan are up at season’s end; Korpi has been circulating the mill for months; and same with Max Domi, having been on a literal tear in his shortened season. The youth movement has continued to be strong in Columbus and under Jarmo, so why change it when it is over, and was shown in 20 minutes what is wrong with this team. They aren’t ready; trust the process; and build the build.
Kekalainen got in control of the change during the last deadline, gaining the pieces for Foligno and Savard and Nash. In the draft, departing with Jones and Atkinson. Keeping the structure with Torts’ successor in Larsen and the return of JD. This couldn’t be anymore perfect. Having rookies play beyond the 9 games in Sillinger and Chinakov. Seeing other kids blossom in Tarasov, Peeke, Bean, and Boqvist is all successes. Having three first round picks in the next two drafts after having 3 in July 2021 is all the right pieces. It’s not the time to push. It’s the time to hold.
Columbus management knows how to find prospects and draft right, having done it before their 5 straight seasons in the postseason with mostly in grown talent. They can do it again, and have been given the opportunity to do so under ownership with extensions and agreeing with the moves down since the 2021 deadline. Keep it right.