Thomas Townsend: Zero for Four

Barring further moves. And with the improvement of NJ, NYR and Florida. I do NOT see how the Jackets even smell a playoff spot. We will see, I am sure...but I highly doubt they finish Top 8 in the East,

Thomas Townsend: Zero for Four
- Thomas Townsend

Do the Jackets Suck Again?

I should of said the team regressed but at least it's not Rick Nash era Cbj

question for you....sonny milano, does he have a future in the nhl or is he a bust?

I am far more optimistic about the CBJ than most, and intend to make a few bucks betting on them to make the playoffs. Lots of uncertainty regarding goaltending, but the d corps is excellent, and offensively I think more of their returning group than most. I'll be the first to admit I was wrong if they fall off the map. One last thing-they let Dzingel walk. Never considered giving him an offer after his lousy playoffs. So, that trade was a miss for sure.

question for you....sonny milano, does he have a future in the nhl or is he a bust?
- nyislsbossy

Probably no future in Columbus, and he might be worth a mid round pick for a team to take a shot on. I think that is the only reason Columbus qualified him-so they could get something for him in trade.

they got some very good young and players... their main issue on being a playoff team this season isnt a lack of talent is that other teams are very strong

I'd seriously like to know if Columbus fans are generally happy with this sort of asset management? Everyone around the NHL was cheering on Kekalainen like frat house members at a college drinking game when he was doing all of this. Was it really worth getting absolutely nothing on the rental market for Bob and Bread and giving up further assets for Duchene and Dzingel just to win a round in the playoffs? If it were my team I sure wouldn't think so. I'm still pissed that the Avs got nothing for just Stastny 5 years ago and everyone thought they were actually going to re-sign him, he never gave off the signals those guys did. Maybe C-Bus fans and ownership have a different view.

I'd seriously like to know if Columbus fans are generally happy with this sort of asset management? Everyone around the NHL was cheering on Kekalainen like frat house members at a college drinking game when he was doing all of this. Was it really worth getting absolutely nothing on the rental market for Bob and Bread and giving up further assets for Duchene and Dzingel just to win a round in the playoffs? If it were my team I sure wouldn't think so. I'm still pissed that the Avs got nothing for just Stastny 5 years ago and everyone thought they were actually going to re-sign him, he never gave off the signals those guys did. Maybe C-Bus fans and ownership have a different view.
- FoppaForever[/qu

if you are saying that if a UFA isn't signed before the trade deadline you have to move them and get what you can for them, i totally agree. the way things are now GM's need to recoup something for their star players that are most likely going to walk.

I'd seriously like to know if Columbus fans are generally happy with this sort of asset management? Everyone around the NHL was cheering on Kekalainen like frat house members at a college drinking game when he was doing all of this. Was it really worth getting absolutely nothing on the rental market for Bob and Bread and giving up further assets for Duchene and Dzingel just to win a round in the playoffs? If it were my team I sure wouldn't think so. I'm still pissed that the Avs got nothing for just Stastny 5 years ago and everyone thought they were actually going to re-sign him, he never gave off the signals those guys did. Maybe C-Bus fans and ownership have a different view.
- FoppaForever

I guess it depends (I was against a trade everything for assets), from management's point of view, somewhere you have to stop stagnating and advance. They decided to roll the dice , and for a while seeing how the dismantled the mighty Lightning everyone thought Jarmo was on to something.

Not making excuses but our defence took a beating , McQuaid , Nuutivara , Murray those are quality people that could of made a difference against Boston.

For Dzingel's case, from his comments it seems like playing for Brind'amour was a really big selling point for him.

That, and then there's the other part where his fiance is some golf lady with Fox Sports and Tom Dundon is the majority owner of TopGolf and a PGA course.

I guess it depends (I was against a trade everything for assets), from management's point of view, somewhere you have to stop stagnating and advance. They decided to roll the dice , and for a while seeing how the dismantled the mighty Lightning everyone thought Jarmo was on to something.

Not making excuses but our defence took a beating , McQuaid , Nuutivara , Murray those are quality people that could of made a difference against Boston.
- Alexzanki

I was sincerely wondering how you guys felt. If the fanbase by and large agreed with going for it then he made the right moves. The road ahead will be more difficult because of it but if 'banners hang forever' maybe kicking the living crap out of an historically great regular season team lasts forever also. Maybe it really needs to be evaluated a few years down the road when the glow is gone and some 1st rounders that might have been joining the team from Bob and Bread aren't available. I could see some fans turning on Kekalainen at that point.

I was sincerely wondering how you guys felt. If the fanbase by and large agreed with going for it then he made the right moves. The road ahead will be more difficult because of it but if 'banners hang forever' maybe kicking the living crap out of an historically great regular season team lasts forever also.
- FoppaForever

It was bold, and the league is better for it.

It was bold, and the league is better for it.
- BINGO!

I've heard others say that but how so? It was fun to watch from the disinterested sidelines but if it sends Columbus into a downward spiral, how does the league benefit?

I was sincerely wondering how you guys felt. If the fanbase by and large agreed with going for it then he made the right moves. The road ahead will be more difficult because of it but if 'banners hang forever' maybe kicking the living crap out of an historically great regular season team lasts forever also. Maybe it really needs to be evaluated a few years down the road when the glow is gone and some 1st rounders that might have been joining the team from Bob and Bread aren't available. I could see some fans turning on Kekalainen at that point.
- FoppaForever

Here in Columbus there were people in both camps before the playoffs. 50% were excited about the moves and the chance to take a run. 50% could not believe CBJ was going to get nothing for Bob and Bread (with a chance to miss the playoffs). Post TBL series everyone in Columbus was on the same page. Lack of playoff success played a part certainly. If CBJ had gone further than the first round in their history Jarmo would be worried about his job today.

If the Jackets are still rebuilding in 3 years, which just might happen, Jarmo will not be the GM and everyone will point to the past trade deadline as a cautionary tale for all NHL GMs.

There is a good chance that if the CBJ had a healthy D-corp (Murray and Nuta) they would have gone 7 with BOS or taken the series before. But, injuries are part of sports that was the reason Jarmo got McQuaid and Kinkaid.

This season will be telling for CBJ GM and coach.

It's time for Markstrom to get the starting gig in CBJ.

I've heard others say that but how so? It was fun to watch from the disinterested sidelines but if it sends Columbus into a downward spiral, how does the league benefit?
- FoppaForever

Instead of the load and stock assets play it safe mentality , maybe the grab life by the horns make or brake become a local legend mind set ?

I've heard others say that but how so? It was fun to watch from the disinterested sidelines but if it sends Columbus into a downward spiral, how does the league benefit?
- FoppaForever

I think them really going for it and doing what they could to win while they had Bob and Breadman was smart, and beating Tampa in the fashion they did should, hopefully, make other GM's more bold.

I'm 100% on team chaos.

Instead of the load and stock assets play it safe mentality , maybe the grab life by the horns make or brake become a local legend mind set ?
- Alexzanki

Don't be scared of the team being bad, be scared of it being mediocre for eternity.... Like Minnesota.

I mean they could always offer sheet someone. Give Kyle Connor 9 million. He is a stud and that move with the plethora of young talent, makes you a really good team. Sign Werenski immediately btw!

I'd seriously like to know if Columbus fans are generally happy with this sort of asset management? Everyone around the NHL was cheering on Kekalainen like frat house members at a college drinking game when he was doing all of this. Was it really worth getting absolutely nothing on the rental market for Bob and Bread and giving up further assets for Duchene and Dzingel just to win a round in the playoffs? If it were my team I sure wouldn't think so. I'm still pissed that the Avs got nothing for just Stastny 5 years ago and everyone thought they were actually going to re-sign him, he never gave off the signals those guys did. Maybe C-Bus fans and ownership have a different view.
- FoppaForever

So, here is the Pro-Jarmo answer, which represents most of how I feel. I don't know of anyone who wanted to pay Bob big money for 7-8 years, with him already 30. Even this year when he played well in the playoffs, the biggest reason we lost to Boston was Rask outplayed Bob. Losing Panarin hurts, no question. But draft picks low in the first round are crap shoots several years down the road, not to mention later round picks. And, what no one outside Columbus talks about are a bunch of solid NHL ready prospects, some of whom named Texier, Gavrikov, Kukan and Bemstrom will all see NHL ice at some point this year. Add Sherwood, Robinson and Fix-Wolansky, and that is why Jarmo felt confident in going for it. I loved it, and the team's core is one of the youngest in the league. I'll take my chances with Dubois, Atkinson, Anderson, Bjorkstrand, Foligno, Jenner, Jones, Werenski, Savard, Nutivaara, Murray and Nyquist to start. Rolling the dice with Elvis for sure, though.

I loved Columbus going all in. If I was a Jackets fan I’d probably puke blood after the Boston series thinking about this offseason. But the reason I really liked the all in move is because the NHL as a whole is running more like a business than a pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Not that, that mindset is wrong, contrary I believe it’s the best way to build a perennial contender. But seeing a team that may or may not make the playoffs with a superstar and a franchise goalie walking in the off-season they said FRANK IT. Then went out and got Duchene and Dzingel. Modern wisdom says to trade Bob and Panarin recoup as much as you can. But they decided to go for it. If they end up rebuilding it probably sets a rebuild back 2-3 years. If they had caught lightning in a bottle we’d be having a different conversation right now though.

Thomas Townsend: Zero for Four
- Thomas Townsend

Made some bold moves and went ALL-IN. At the time it made zero sense to me, as you boys weren't even in a playoff spot when you landed Douchene. Also, if you did grab that wild card, it was an inevitable whooping to be handed by Tampa. Or so I thought. You swept the giants, and suddenly the sky was the limit. Unfortunately it didn't work out, but you have plenty of cap space and a team that will be tough to play against. Not nearly as dangerous offensively, but still a difficult team.

The Jackets still have a lot of good young players as well as valuable cap space. Star players are great but they arent the be all end all, we all saw what the Islanders did last year with a bit of a chip on their shoulders.

They have enough high end players that with some decent goaltending I can see the Jackets competing for a spot. Maybe they even use that cap space in creative ways to pickup some assets or bargain UFAs.

Don't usually follow the Jackets. This was a nice read. Good job!