Around the NHL 20-21 pt. 1: the season begins

[joshjull]

 

[Fjordy]

Skinner - Lazar - Laine would be a good fourth line.

 

[Jim Bob]

John Tortorella cranks up the Blue Jackets' drama again, benching Patrik Laine

Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson, who scored on a short-handed penalty shot at 10:38 of the second, toed the company line. The longest-tenured Blue Jacket, he’s been here for the duration of Tortorella’s time in Columbus.

“Torts expects us to play as hard as we can, so it doesn’t matter who you are,” Atkinson said. “I think everyone knows that. If you’re not giving 100 percent and looking like you’re trying, he’s going to sit you. It’s not a secret.

“That goes for everybody, myself included. I’ve been that guy plenty of times. He just wants guys who are going to work.”

Atkinson said his locker is right beside Laine’s in the Blue Jackets dressing room. He seemed to think Laine would accept this OK.

“We’ve chatted,” Atkinson said. “We’re a pretty open group. He knows. He’ll be the first to admit it. He just has to be better, plain and simple. He knows it. I expect him to have a good game next game.

“That’s what we all have to do, whether you’re a new guy or an old guy, we have to hold each other accountable. Doesn’t matter who you are or where you play, we all have to buy in.”

 

[jc17]

In related news, after about a year of this board saying roslovic would be a good target for the Sabres, he's got 7 points in 7 games with CBJ.

 

[Jim Bob]

In related news, after about a year of this board saying roslovic would be a good target for the Sabres, he's got 7 points in 7 games with CBJ.

That goal last night was filthy.

The tough part is that there is no chance he would get the kind of usage in Buffalo that he is getting in Columbus.

Right now, he's getting all the OZ starts. In Buffalo, Eichel's line is getting that kind of usage. Staal and Eakin have an oZS% that is roughly 30 pts lower than Roslovic in Columbus.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

John Tortorella cranks up the Blue Jackets' drama again, benching Patrik Laine

Dudes a f***ing moron, just creating issues for himself- like, f***ing talk to Laine, give him a shift off, but don’t bench him the rest of the game- you know that’ll immediately put focus and pressure on that relationship.

 

[Jim Bob]

Dudes a f***ing moron, just creating issues for himself- like, f***ing talk to Laine, give him a shift off, but don’t bench him the rest of the game- you know that’ll immediately put focus and pressure on that relationship.

This is Torts.

Tortorella and the Blue Jackets have had quite the season already.

Max Domi, the big offseason acquisition in trade with Montreal for Josh Anderson, was benched in the first game of the season, Jan. 14 in Nashville.

Then came a dust-up with Dubois, starting with a benching Jan. 21 versus Tampa Bay and the blockbuster trade with Winnipeg.

The top defensive pair of Seth Jones and Zach Werenski was busted up, leading scorer Oliver Bjorkstrand started one game on the fourth line, third-line center Mikko Koivu was a healthy scratch Monday …

 

[Reddawg]

This is what Torts does eventually...coaches himself out of a job.

 

[Jim Bob]

The East division could have their third team on COVID pause soon....

 

[Jim Bob]

This is what Torts does eventually...coaches himself out of a job.

He has had his second longest run as a head coach in Columbus. And getting 5+ seasons in the NHL right now is a pretty good run.

His 405 games as the Columbus head coach is more than any Sabres head coach not named Lindy Ruff.

 

[Jim Bob]

Report: Penguins offer Hextall GM job

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Buffaloed]

This is what Torts does eventually...coaches himself out of a job.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Myllz]

Burke and Hextall...that's an interesting combo.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Burke and Hextall...that's an interesting combo.

Sent them Ristolainen for Malkin immediately.

 

[Fjordy]

Smart move from Pittsburgh

 

[tsujimoto74]

That goal last night was filthy.

The tough part is that there is no chance he would get the kind of usage in Buffalo that he is getting in Columbus.

Right now, he's getting all the OZ starts. In Buffalo, Eichel's line is getting that kind of usage. Staal and Eakin have an oZS% that is roughly 30 pts lower than Roslovic in Columbus.

He was getting good opportunity in Winnipeg, too. Look at his most common linemates there; it's all established top 6 forwards. Roslovic is having a nice hot streak, but I'm nowhere near ready to call it anything more than that.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Interesting article if you have an athletic subscription.

As Penguins GM search continues, what happens inside those interviews?

 

[WeDislikeEich]

wonder if it had anything to do with the healthy scratch yesterday? I believe it was the first one of his NHL career.

 

[joshjull]

 

[joshjull]

 

[OkimLom]

Sean Malone of all people getting talked about in the Nashville game longer than just a mention of the name.

 

[flashsabre]

Smart move from Pittsburgh

Is it? Hextall proved nothing as a GM. Burke as president does nothing for me. Will he and Hextall even get a long? Two names that are famous in NHL circles but I’m not convinced they do anything to move the needle in Pittsburgh.