2014 CBJ Offseason Thread

[Fro]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 49s
MacKenzie, who would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said both sides have expressed interest in a new deal.

 

[JKinCLE]

Seriously - move on people.

The team has only gotten better since he left, not just on the ice, but in the room and off the ice as well.

It's kind of sad seeing these comments about people wanting to bring him back, especially as he is now entering his 30's and coming off multiple concussions and his worst seasons ever...ugh. good riddance

agreed. I just smile knowing we bashed Sather over the head with a sock full of quarters in that trade. Dubi for Nash straight up would be seen as a win at this point, not to mention Arty, Erixon, and what would become Rychel.

 

[blahblah]

I think the team and the fans genuinely hate Rick Nash. He's not coming back.

I don't really want to discuss this, but the team? That sounds far fetched. As far as the fans, they would forget it or get over it in 10 minutes.

This has to be the worst reasoning ever. There are plenty of on-ice reasons to not do it; we don't need this.

 

[EspenK]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 49s
MacKenzie, who would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said both sides have expressed interest in a new deal.

This is a good thing. 2 yrs at 1.25-1.5?

 

[thebus2288*]

While I don't think there's much of a chance of it happening, and he IS a good offensive player, why does it seem most of you would throw big money at Vanek? We talk so much about team identity and style of play. Look at Buffalo. Look what he did for the Islanders. He's been lucky to get in a nice situation on a fast offensive team but IMO the team who signs him in the summer is gonna regret it in a couple years.

If there's anybody we should be looking to get it should be Vrbata. Dude can shoot the puck, good hands, brings decent speed, and add just as much "leadership" as Umberger or Wiz. He's like a Gaborik/Foligno hybrid without being quite as good offensively as Gabby and none of the grit Foligno brings. The issue is if he want's to leave PHO and if he'd come here. I don't see why not. And he had 51 points this year!! So he cant be bad!!

 

[Samkow]

I don't really want to discuss this, but the team? That sounds far fetched. As far as the fans, they would forget it or get over it in 10 minutes.

This has to be the worst reasoning ever. There are plenty of on-ice reasons to not do it; we don't need this.

You saw what happened when he came back to NWA. Don't think he's very popular in the dressing room.

 

[Kev22]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 49s
MacKenzie, who would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said both sides have expressed interest in a new deal.

I said it in a post in this thread yesterday, can we sign him to a lifetime contract? I'm serious, he is exactly the type of character players you want on your team. Not only that, but he plays all out, all the time and fills his role on this club perfectly. In fact, if MacKenzie fought as much as Boll does, he would be a folk hero around here. Great in the community, well liked by the room, good leader, great character. For a guy like him, you can't ask for anything more. In this situation, I think a two year contract is more than palatable. He should earn at least the same as Letestu. Those two make up a great fourth line. They are also two great character players to have in the room. Someone has to show the youth the way.

 

[Jyrki]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 49s
MacKenzie, who would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said both sides have expressed interest in a new deal.

DMac plz

 

[Kev22]

I don't really want to discuss this, but the team? That sounds far fetched. As far as the fans, they would forget it or get over it in 10 minutes.

This has to be the worst reasoning ever. There are plenty of on-ice reasons to not do it; we don't need this.

Nash looks like Nostradamus now when he said that this team would get better if they trade him. I think he thought it would be like in 2-3 years, not immediately. The one thing that can be said now PN (Post Nash) is that the country club atmosphere has been completely flushed out of the room. He was the first domino. The good thing is we now have Management that is not afraid to flush the turds that don't want to be here and be part of the newly formed identity of this club.

 

[Viqsi]

Seriously - move on people.

The team has only gotten better since he left, not just on the ice, but in the room and off the ice as well.

It's kind of sad seeing these comments about people wanting to bring him back, especially as he is now entering his 30's and coming off multiple concussions and his worst seasons ever...ugh. good riddance

The point behind my question was less "Let's Bring Back Nash!" and more "Here's a player with several desirable attributes and a hypothetical scenario that makes him a really good deal. Do folks pay attention to these points, or do they fail to rise above their past impressions of a guy who got mixed reviews while he was here... or are there any third options?"

So far the experiment has been quite stimulating.

* * *​

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 49s
MacKenzie, who would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said both sides have expressed interest in a new deal.

Awesomesauce.

* * *​

You saw what happened when he came back to NWA. Don't think he's very popular in the dressing room.

This seems a tad overstated. Said it at the time when we were discussing it in chat, and I haven't seen anything since to indicate otherwise. Bob and Cal both trolled him, but Cal trolls everybody.

(Besides, if he's obliged to eat a bit more humble pie in such a scenario, hypothetical opinions may be moderated a tad.)

 

[DarkandStormy]

Nash looks like Nostradamus now when he said that this team would get better if they trade him. I think he thought it would be like in 2-3 years, not immediately. The one thing that can be said now PN (Post Nash) is that the country club atmosphere has been completely flushed out of the room. He was the first domino. The good thing is we now have Management that is not afraid to flush the turds that don't want to be here and be part of the newly formed identity of this club.

Jeff Carter?

 

[Kev22]

Jeff Carter?

Carter was a cancer that never wanted to be here to begin with. I'm not sure that he applies here. Nash was more of a victim of culture, like Brassard, Voracek, Dorsett, Commodore, etc.

 

[stevo61]

Carter was a cancer that never wanted to be here to begin with. I'm not sure that he applies here. Nash was more of a victim of culture, like Brassard, Voracek, Dorsett, Commodore, etc.

Dorsett played hard, he's just not smart.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Carter was a cancer that never wanted to be here to begin with. I'm not sure that he applies here. Nash was more of a victim of culture, like Brassard, Voracek, Dorsett, Commodore, etc.

If this were true, why haven't any of these players actually improved once leaving? Why haven't any of them been lauded for their improved work ethic, increased production, or unexpectedly good performance?

The only one whose production has actually boosted is Voracek, largely because over 50% of his ice time in 2012-13 and over 75% this year was with Claude Giroux out there with him.

The only logical conclusion is that these players had all basically peaked. Brassard and Nash have been blasted in New York for their lack of effort, Voracek has been criticized for his lack of finish and occasionally confusing play, and Dorsett and Commodore have proven to be nothing more than replacement-level depth. If "culture" was what was holding them back, then surely they'd have improved in every way since moving onto a winning culture. Commodore went to Detroit, which has a 20-year run of success, and did nothing. Voracek went to the one place in North America that will provide immediate feedback on effort or lack thereof. And the other three all went to New York, which is as demanding off the ice as Philly is on it.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Nash is a bum.

Now that we have real players on the team and see what real effort and commitment is like, the last thing I'd ever want is that toolbox back on the team.

Nash is irrelevant playing for the one of the biggest teams in the biggest markets in the NHL - he's not even worth a second thought.

Pretty much. Love the guy, he's a great dude. But he's not worth it anymore.

 

[EdwardG]

I think Nash would be better on a team where he is just a supplementary piece and not expected to be the star, then you get what you get from him w/out begrudging it... which isn't going to happen with that big contract.

Jake is frustrating to watch. He's become a decent player, but he has good ideas that he can't consistently execute.

Brassard- can't stand his game, glad he's not in Columbus.

 

[Derby]

Nash looks like Nostradamus now when he said that this team would get better if they trade him. I think he thought it would be like in 2-3 years, not immediately. The one thing that can be said now PN (Post Nash) is that the country club atmosphere has been completely flushed out of the room. He was the first domino. The good thing is we now have Management that is not afraid to flush the turds that don't want to be here and be part of the newly formed identity of this club.

I may have shared this before, but this is the "a ha" moment when I sensed a culture change, and it started with Jack. It was the team's day off and M. Methot was leading me and another couple of friends on a CBJ locker room tour as a part of a STH prize thing. Anyway, it was a few weeks after Jack arrived. It was an "off day", no practice or workouts scheduled. Only players there were Methot and three youngsters (Joey, Johnny Moore, and Colton Gillies). Mark was giving the tour and the kids were watching film.

At the workout end of the room is Jack Johnson with a huge round weight strapped to his chest and he's pulling a sled with a bunch more weights. I've never seen any human working that hard, that intensely. It was crazy-intense. The dude is going full blast the entire time we are there. On the way out, I asked Mark why Jack was there on the "off day", and he grinned and said, "Jack NEVER takes a day off. He works like that... EVERY day."

I filed that away and thought JMFJ is the kind of guy who we need to get this turned around.

 

[CBJRzeznik]

I may have shared this before, but this is the "a ha" moment when I sensed a culture change, and it started with Jack. It was the team's day off and M. Methot was leading me and another couple of friends on a CBJ locker room tour as a part of a STH prize thing. Anyway, it was a few weeks after Jack arrived. It was an "off day", no practice or workouts scheduled. Only players there were Methot and three youngsters (Joey, Johnny Moore, and Colton Gillies). Mark was giving the tour and the kids were watching film.

At the workout end of the room is Jack Johnson with a huge round weight strapped to his chest and he's pulling a sled with a bunch more weights. I've never seen any human working that hard, that intensely. It was crazy-intense. The dude is going full blast the entire time we are there. On the way out, I asked Mark why Jack was there on the "off day", and he grinned and said, "Jack NEVER takes a day off. He works like that... EVERY day."

I filed that away and thought JMFJ is the kind of guy who we need to get this turned around.

Great post. I know two people who were strength and conditioning interns with CBJ and they have multiple similar stories about JMFJ. People may criticize elements of his game but the guy is 100% committed and has a work ethic second to none.

 

[Socks]

If Nash were to come back I would require TWO full page ads in apology for leading the Country Club Atmosphere, *****ing to the media which led to his insane contract amount now, the shenanigans of his return and the Ass Move. Most especially for the Ass Move. And he would have to read these ads on tv, complete with awkward soul-stealing looks to the camera.

 

[EDM]

I agree with Socks.

 

[punk_o_holic]

The guy I wanted at the deadline to add depth on D was Mike Weaver. Guy is having a unreal series so far against Boston and I think he was decent for Florida as well. Any thoughts on adding him? Or does Montreal end up signing him? I went to check how old is and he's already 36 so it would have to be a 1, maybe 2 year deal.

Or would you guys give Adam McQuaid a second chance and make a trade for him? Some fans thinks either McQuaid or Kelly would be traded because of the cap situation. Or screw McQuaid, he didn't want to sign with us, forcing Howson's hand to trade him.

As for Nash, I would welcome him back. He is the reason why I became a Columbus fan. If it wasn't for him, I would still be a Edmonton fan.

 

[Mayor Bee]

The guy I wanted at the deadline to add depth on D was Mike Weaver. Guy is having a unreal series so far against Boston and I think he was decent for Florida as well. Any thoughts on adding him? Or does Montreal end up signing him? I went to check how old is and he's already 36 so it would have to be a 1, maybe 2 year deal.

Or would you guys give Adam McQuaid a second chance and make a trade for him? Some fans thinks either McQuaid or Kelly would be traded because of the cap situation. Or screw McQuaid, he didn't want to sign with us, forcing Howson's hand to trade him.

As for Nash, I would welcome him back. He is the reason why I became a Columbus fan. If it wasn't for him, I would still be a Edmonton fan.

Jim Clark was the GM who made that move. MacLean was fired in early May, Howson was hired June 15, but the signing deadline was June 1.

 

[Sore Loser]

Temper the thoughts of Vanek ... he's headed to Minnesota, and it's the worst kept secret in hockey. Dany Heatley becomes a UFA this summer, and his money will be handed to former Gopher Vanek, who wants to go there and play out the rest of his career.

 

[db2011]

I wouldn't take Nash back on this team, which hopefully comes as no surprise. But it's not because of the way he left (which was deplorable and I don't understand why he gets a pass from so many posters here). It's because he doesn't seem to be a very good player anymore. This may sound false, but I mean it when I say that's a shame.

My gripes with Nash are about his flakiness and I root against him because of it, but I don't want his career to be ruined or anything like that. I like to see him struggle and I've been glad he's nowhere to be seen in the playoffs... but it's getting a bit real now, and to read what a lot of other posters are saying about him, I'm starting to feel for the guy. He's a self-entitled idiot who doesn't understand the consequences of his actions, but you can't blame a guy completely for being a fool, you gotta have some sympathy, too.

Anyway, that's why I wouldn't want him back. Also I'd be afraid that he/the team would fall right back into the familiar routines like you do when you get back with an ex, and we do not need that around here.

 

[major major]

The guy I wanted at the deadline to add depth on D was Mike Weaver. Guy is having a unreal series so far against Boston and I think he was decent for Florida as well. Any thoughts on adding him? Or does Montreal end up signing him? I went to check how old is and he's already 36 so it would have to be a 1, maybe 2 year deal.

We don't have room to bring in another defenceman unless we unload other guys, but if we do, Weaver would be great. He's small and old but plays like a beast out there, always leveling guys and blocking shots.