Todd Cordell: Blue Jackets 4, Devils 1: Five observations from another ugly loss

It was refreshing to see you also incorporate the "eye test" with Kinkaid. Numbers are on thing (and they stink too) but he just looks lost in there. Even some of the easy shots he's looking behind him. His angles throughout the year have been really sloppy and he just doesn't look like a NHL goalie.

I thought Mueller was awful again. Assist aside, it seems like everyone just blows right by him and never wins any puck battles. He's also back to looking really tentative with the puck and he's putting his partner in really bad situations more often than not.

Coleman's been our MVP thus far.

Maybe try Coleman on top line. Could create nice space and get Nico away from doing the board work.

I knew before the season Coleman could be a 20 goal scorer. He looked just as good the second half of last season and was really finding his scoring touch. Too bad he's not a young kid and he's in his late 20s already. He's a guy you want around for years on the team. His contract is an absolute bargain for all the things he does.

Todd since you also run the flames blog i was curious in what youre thoughts where on sam bennette ? He seems like he plays the way the devils want and has a bit of edge to his game. Is the production a worry with him and what would the expections on him be for the year ? Is he neeting them?

Todd since you also run the flames blog i was curious in what youre thoughts where on sam bennette ? He seems like he plays the way the devils want and has a bit of edge to his game. Is the production a worry with him and what would the expections on him be for the year ? Is he neeting them?
- Shampoo

I like him but it's looking like he's going to be a 3rd pairing guy who plays with edge and chips in offense occasionally. I don't think he is, or will be, a reliable source of offense.

so who we taking 10th overall?

so who we taking 10th overall?
- Senor_Elias

so who we taking 10th overall?
- Senor_Elias

Kakko 2nd overall. Keep the faith.

If it is 10th, Broberg may still be around. With him Smith, Butcher and Severson we may actually wind up with an NHL level defense at some point.

Kakko 2nd overall. Keep the faith.

If it is 10th, Broberg may still be around. With him Smith, Butcher and Severson we may actually wind up with an NHL level defense at some point.
- smellmyfinger

Well butcher isn't good in his end

At least Smith is promising

Well butcher isn't good in his end

At least Smith is promising
- dmarsden2988

This is true, but I do have some faith he will improve.

With the the Goaltenders that are supposed to be available on the trade block I dont see KK being picked up by anyone.

With the the Goaltenders that are supposed to be available on the trade block I dont see KK being picked up by anyone.
- Devils4ever

Never underestimate many GMs abilities to do dumb things around the deadline.

Never underestimate many GMs abilities to do dumb things around the deadline.
- smellmyfinger

That's true 😂. What's the possible return? Is a 3rd too much or too little?

Numerous of us have commented on the lack of depth of our prospects. Reading a few articles today about the trade deadline. Amazingly it appears for a bottom five team we have no one on the roster people consider worth trading for at the deadline (other than players it makes no sense to trade). No deadline deals, no blockbuster prospects, not a free market destination and only a prayer for the lottery. Depressing. No wonder I drink...

Numerous of us have commented on the lack of depth of our prospects. Reading a few articles today about the trade deadline. Amazingly it appears for a bottom five team we have no one on the roster people consider worth trading for at the deadline (other than players it makes no sense to trade). No deadline deals, no blockbuster prospects, not a free market destination and only a prayer for the lottery. Depressing. No wonder I drink...
- redmonsters

We have trades that could certainly help some teams. A guy like Butcher, who moves the puck would be a quality rental for a team like Toronto. I could see KK going and backing up for a team like Tor/Stl. Mojo would be a solid addition for anyone looking for additional depth as well. I assume KK is worth a 4th at best these days, with Butch and Mojo looking more like 2nd as rentals (or 3rds with performance bonus'). No we do not have a tonne of trade deadline assets, we will not part with Vats, Hall, Blackwood, Smith. It would be interesting to see if anyone was interested in Greene at 50% retained salary. I feel he is still very good as a bottom pairing, low minutes D, and is a great leader/professional. I doubt anyone is interested, as he has next season on the books as well, but I would love to shed that roster spot and give our 2nd best ppg D-man (yakovlev) more toi.

That's true 😂. What's the possible return? Is a 3rd too much or too little?
- Devils4ever

I’d take a 3rd and run with it if someone offered.

I’d take a 3rd and run with it if someone offered.
- smellmyfinger

Certainly possible. But a 4th is more likely. They like to add so many safe-guards, such as they make the conferance final and KK starts in at least 4 games kinda bs to get us to that 3rd. But lucky for us, our 4th and 5th rounders seem to be the bulk of our quality prospects.

Am I the only one that REALLY wants Schneider to find his game and be a successful goalie? It's damn depressing and I feel for the guy. He's a backup to Luongo for years, posts Vezina numbers, then has to deal with Brodeur, then drags our team to missing out on top tier draft talent that we truthfully needed, then gets hurt, and then has physical and mental battles trying to get back to greatness. What a shame. He always seems like such a nice guy and great teammate. It's great that Blackwood has come in and shown promise, but I'd love for Schneider to have an awesome camp and carry that into the season and split it with Blackwood 60/40.

Am I the only one that REALLY wants Schneider to find his game and be a successful goalie? It's damn depressing and I feel for the guy. He's a backup to Luongo for years, posts Vezina numbers, then has to deal with Brodeur, then drags our team to missing out on top tier draft talent that we truthfully needed, then gets hurt, and then has physical and mental battles trying to get back to greatness. What a shame. He always seems like such a nice guy and great teammate. It's great that Blackwood has come in and shown promise, but I'd love for Schneider to have an awesome camp and carry that into the season and split it with Blackwood 60/40.
- MartysBetter88

I am still pro-schneids. Guy was a top 5 goalie a few years in a row, and 6M was a good deal at the time. Major hip surgery is not joke, but I hope he can come back. Would love to see a return on KK, and Schneids with Blackwood backing going forward.

I am still pro-schneids. Guy was a top 5 goalie a few years in a row, and 6M was a good deal at the time. Major hip surgery is not joke, but I hope he can come back. Would love to see a return on KK, and Schneids with Blackwood backing going forward.
- bikeguy99

A friend of mine whose son plays peewee hockey with Sykora's son was in a suite earlier this year and Ray Shero was there. Schneider was playing a game, and of course was terrible, and Shero turns around pissed off and says what am I going to do with this guy. So top brass is frustrated too with his play obviously.

A friend of mine whose son plays peewee hockey with Sykora's son was in a suite earlier this year and Ray Shero was there. Schneider was playing a game, and of course was terrible, and Shero turns around pissed off and says what am I going to do with this guy. So top brass is frustrated too with his play obviously.
- devilspep

That's actually a nice insight into Shero's mind. I'm sure he is on IR for BS reasons, just so he isn't playing. I would entice Cory to go the Clowe route and just "retire" but be behind bench and help the goalies out while getting paid.