Confirmed with Link: CBJ Fire Scott Howson, name Jarmo Kekalainen replacement

[SuperGenius]

Correlation != causality.

I still consider it an embarrassment.

I think *everyone* knows by now you think the demonstration was an embarrassment...let's not derail the thread any more with that.

The fact of the matter is there was a demonstration that demanded change in the CBJ front office. Whether as a result of, or simply that change was already underway, we now have that change and we should focus on that instead of who did what, when.

Whatever your opinion of it, we are where we are today as a fanbase with that as part of our history. If the 'protest' didn't initiate change in and of itself, it certainly illustrated that many passionate fans were on board with the idea of such upheaval.

Frankly, whether it had a real effect or not, I am proud that enough fellow fans cared to organize and attend such an event over just a few days of planning. I'd rather that a group of people do this then than later have another group have to organize a similar event to keep the CBJ in Columbus because of years and years of additional failures. If F.A.N.S. want to 'take credit', who cares, really? In the end, we all win here.

Let's get back to talking about the new guy.

 

[Robert]

BTW, for those who say the 'fan protest' last year had nothing to do with the changes that have been made, JD and now JK, on XM hockey this morning in an interview with Pete Weber, Nashville TV broadcaster, he brought up the "demonstration in downtown Columbus last year and how it brought attention that the fans wanted change and now they have it. That was the whole purpose, to be heard, and they were!

No one will ever know the impact if any but it is part of recorded history-no one can deny that:

"Hits and misses: Scott Howson timeline"

July 23, 2012: Fulfilled the trade request of captain Rick Nash by trading him to the New York Rangers in exchange for forwards Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky, defenseman Tim Erixon and a first-round draft pick.

Jan. 28, 2012: Was not present as a crowd of more than 250 Blue Jackets fans gathered on the plaza outside Nationwide Arena for a grassroots protest of the direction of the team. The protesters demanded that Howson and team president Mike Priest be fired.

Feb. 12, 2013: Fired by the Blue Jackets

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/02/12/0212-howson-timeline.html

 

[SuperGenius]

I listed all of the Blues first round picks while he was there. Not sure how that is pointing out one thing, especially when I pointed out Petro and Backes.

I bolded the specific thing I was referring to in my quote. If you can't figure it out, I can't help you. Probably best to move on, then.

 

[HoldFast13]

Friggin' Gary Galley just referred to the CBJ lineup as "a bunch of throwaways nobody wanted" what a ******.

 

[SuperGenius]

Friggin' Gary Galley just referred to the CBJ lineup as "a bunch of throwaways nobody wanted" what a ******.

Source?

 

[Robert]

XM NHL radio had a piece on JK and the move by JD around 11:15 today, it was all positive.... they said the passionate (I think that was the word) CBJ fans deserve a new course (or something like that).

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

Also, the Blues have a GM. His name is Doug Armstrong. He just got handed a 5-year extension.

The Blues ownership took over, vetted their front office, and then basically showed JD the door and handed Doug Armstrong a 5-year extension. I think that is a pretty clear sign of who they felt was responsible there.

Don't get me wrong - I'm happy Howson is gone and definitely like the move and hire for Jarmo.

However, for fans and for JD himself to be acting like he and Jarmo "built" the St. Louis Blues is a little sketchy, and also, the Blues so far have been mostly average and then had one great season under Hitch. This is not a situation like Dale Tallon building the Blackhawks.

JD's biggest thing with the Blues, and so far here, is getting the media to cover him favorably and getting season ticket holders and fans back in the building. That is a huge skill and he is great at giving speeches about "going north" and going "brick by brick"." getting the locals and media to buy back in is no small thing. That said, Doug Armstrong was/is still the Blues GM.

 

[HoldFast13]

It was XM radio but I just heard it (I don't think it was a replay) kind of rubbed me the wrong way like he had our operation all figured out. I guess I'd be in a smug mood if I had to endure Bob Cole bellowing my ear all the time.

 

[Roadman]

Friggin' Gary Galley just referred to the CBJ lineup as "a bunch of throwaways nobody wanted" what a ******.

goes well with the island of misfit toys line. That seems to be the stance de jour. Since a new President was hired and now a new GM then there must be nothing there, you know cuz if there were, there wouldn't be any changes. I would also guess that a fair number had no idea JD had even been hired. We're not the center of the Hockey universe so why should anybody bother to do any background work.

Hey we ought to be used to it by now. The CBJ WILL start knocking some NHL heads around a lot sooner than any outside this fan base believes possible. Then they will all be scratching their heads wondering "how the h@#$ did that happen?"

Our day is coming and lots of crow will be served.

 

[HoldFast13]

goes well with the island of misfit toys line. That seems to be the stance de jour. Since a new President was hired and now a new GM then there must be nothing there, you know cuz if there were, there wouldn't be any changes. I would also guess that a fair number had no idea JD had even been hired. We're not the center of the Hockey universe so why should anybody bother to do any background work.

Hey we ought to be used to it by now. The CBJ WILL start knocking some NHL heads around a lot sooner than any outside this fan base believes possible. Then they will all be scratching their heads wondering "how the h@#$ did that happen?"

Our day is coming and lots of crow will be served.

Amen

 

[Roadman]

Also, the Blues have a GM. His name is Doug Armstrong. He just got handed a 5-year extension.

The Blues ownership took over, vetted their front office, and then basically showed JD the door and handed Doug Armstrong a 5-year extension. I think that is a pretty clear sign of who they felt was responsible there.

Don't get me wrong - I'm happy Howson is gone and definitely like the move and hire for Jarmo.

However, for fans and for JD himself to be acting like he and Jarmo "built" the St. Louis Blues is a little sketchy, and also, the Blues so far have been mostly average and then had one great season under Hitch. This is not a situation like Dale Tallon building the Blackhawks.

JD's biggest thing with the Blues, and so far here, is getting the media to cover him favorably and getting season ticket holders and fans back in the building. That is a huge skill and he is great at giving speeches about "going north" and going "brick by brick"." getting the locals and media to buy back in is no small thing. That said, Doug Armstrong was/is still the Blues GM.

And so it begins....

 

[Robert]

It was XM radio but I just heard it (I don't think it was a replay) kind of rubbed me the wrong way like he had our operation all figured out. I guess I'd be in a smug mood if I had to endure Bob Cole bellowing my ear all the time.

I have sat radio in my car... perhaps Sirrus (sp).. I don't know, is all I know what I heard was on at 11:15 am this morning... it was a good discussion imo and it was the NHL Radio Network.

 

[Needles]

2006: CBJ Derick Brassard, STL select ERIK JOHNSON 1st OVERALL (Ahead of Toews, Kessel, Staal, Backstrom, Grioux) and Patrik Berglund (25th)

IIRC, Eric Johnson was the consensus #1 pick back then. Just like Seth Jones this year.

2007: CBJ select Jakub Voracek, STL select Lars Eller (13th) Ian Cole (18th) and David Perron (26th) (I sure hope Jarmo spends our 3 first rounders in 2013 a lot better)

To be fair, 2007 draft class was pretty damn weak. He got three solid NHL players from that first round so it wasn't that bad. But he also moved down from 9th to 13th pick and San Jose used that 9th to draft Logan Couture. So you can't make the right decision every time, obviously.

 

[HoldFast13]

I have sat radio in my car... perhaps Sirrus (sp).. I don't know, is all I know what I heard was on at 11:15 am this morning... it was a good discussion imo and it was the NHL Radio Network.

Its pretty much been the topic of discussion all day. Ive heard at least 2 Jarmo interviews and already one JD interview. This was on Hockey Night In Canada w/ Gord Stellick.

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

XM NHL radio had a piece on JK and the move by JD around 11:15 today, it was all positive.... they said the passionate (I think that was the word) CBJ fans deserve a new course (or something like that).

We deserve to go north! He can't go south! BRICK BY BRICK

 

[Robert]

Its pretty much been the topic of discussion all day. Ive heard at least 2 Jarmo interviews and already one JD interview. This was on Hockey Night In Canada w/ Gord Stellick.

Kay.... it was Jarmo....

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

IIRC, Eric Johnson was the consensus #1 pick back then. Just like Seth Jones this year.



To be fair, 2007 draft class was pretty damn weak. He got three solid NHL players from that first round so it wasn't that bad. But he also moved down from 9th to 13th pick and San Jose used that 9th to draft Logan Couture. So you can't make the right decision every time, obviously.

Right - I'm just saying. from 2002-2010, it's not like he built some championship caliber team and drafted a bunch of studs. Obviously, every team drafted better than the CBJ - but people are acting like him and JD were the architects of the Canucks, Sharks, Hawks, or Pens or something.

Guys like Oshie, Perron, Backes...they're solid but not exactly superstars. That core he drafted didn't do much under Andy Murray or Davis Payne, and then had one fantastic season under Ken Hitchcock. Which we all know is worth jack.

I'm more hopeful for the guys already in our system when it comes to the future, as opposed to ZOMG the guy who helped draft Roman Polak, TJ Oshie, and David Perron is running our draft board!

 

[Dropkick Murphy]

Contrary to (now) common believe, Jarmo Kekäläinen is not Jesus. He had by far biggest budget available in FEL, his first two years resulted very mediocre results. This year has been better but Jokerit still has vulnerable defense and choker in goal. Kekäläinen have had three years to fax the issues in D, but despite the biggest bag of money and best connections, no fix is done.

On the other hand, there are some solid scouting done for offense. It seems like he's a draft-GM, not a trader or FA-signer. Improvement to CBJ, but not getting them over average in NHL. He was number two in Finland after JYP's Jukka Holtari.

 

[Viqsi]

Contrary to (now) common believe, Jarmo Kekäläinen is not Jesus. He had by far biggest budget available in FEL, his first two years resulted very mediocre results. This year has been better but Jokerit still has vulnerable defense and choker in goal. Kekäläinen have had three years to fax the issues in D, but despite the biggest bag of money and best connections, no fix is done.

On the other hand, there are some solid scouting done for offense. It seems like he's a draft-GM, not a trader or FA-signer. Improvement to CBJ, but not getting them over average in NHL. He was number two in Finland after JYP's Jukka Holtari.

To be fair, our blueline is in excellent shape right now, so so long as he takes care of the forward corps without disassembling said blueline, it's all good.

 

[crowi]

Right - I'm just saying. from 2002-2010, it's not like he built some championship caliber team and drafted a bunch of studs. Obviously, every team drafted better than the CBJ - but people are acting like him and JD were the architects of the Canucks, Sharks, Hawks, or Pens or something.

Guys like Oshie, Perron, Backes...they're solid but not exactly superstars. That core he drafted didn't do much under Andy Murray or Davis Payne, and then had one fantastic season under Ken Hitchcock. Which we all know is worth jack.

I'm more hopeful for the guys already in our system when it comes to the future, as opposed to ZOMG the guy who helped draft Roman Polak, TJ Oshie, and David Perron is running our draft board!

Clearly, he should draft a superstar every round to meet your expectations. He is well-known for drafting. You're trying to argue that fact with a SINGLE "questionable" (not even bad pick).

Pretty funny also, that CBJ would be lucky to have picked so well during those years. Oshie, Perron and Backes are solid top-6 players.

Also the weak draft pick you mentioned (E.Johnson, widely regarded as going 1st overall), was turned into two 1st round picks in a trade, and they're doing VERY well in the Blues. Shows, that his pick wasn't even bad in hindsight, even if he had nothing to do with the trade.

 

[IBleedUnionBlue]

I long for the day we no longer have to hear about every so called mistake, blunder and whiff, and etc that Howson made. He's gone, it's over. The change began 4 months ago. I expect many more changes to take place as JD puts his people in place.

I am so ready to turn the page and quit hearing about Filatov, Carter, and everything else.

 

[Columbus Mike]

New House Band: Midnight Oil

 

[Viqsi]

Clearly, he should draft a superstar every round to meet your expectations.

We've had that accusation leveled at CBJ staff before. "Perspective" is in rare supply around here; even those who've got it in some areas frequently lack it in others.

 

[CapnCornelius]

The fact of the matter is there was a demonstration that demanded change in the CBJ front office. Whether as a result of, or simply that change was already underway, we now have that change and we should focus on that instead of who did what, when.

Whatever your opinion of it, we are where we are today as a fanbase with that as part of our history. If the 'protest' didn't initiate change in and of itself, it certainly illustrated that many passionate fans were on board with the idea of such upheaval.

Frankly, whether it had a real effect or not, I am proud that enough fellow fans cared to organize and attend such an event over just a few days of planning. I'd rather that a group of people do this then than later have another group have to organize a similar event to keep the CBJ in Columbus because of years and years of additional failures. If F.A.N.S. want to 'take credit', who cares, really? In the end, we all win here.

Let's get back to talking about the new guy.

[mod]

Personally, I'm glad to see a president of hockey operations who has his own vision for this franchise and is putting that into place. We are seeing early indications that JD is going to put his people in the positions to turn things around and that those people in turn are going to put their people in place right on down the line. That is how you fix a hockey organization. Not by hiring some consultant group. Put knowledgeable people in place and make them accountable. When you choose the wrong person, be accountable yourself. If that is how JD runs the show, I'm a happy camper. I don't care if he does it because I make a public proclamation or because that is the kind of guy he is. Truth be told, I'd rather it was the latter and not the former.

Happiness for sports fans is fleeting. Even a Cup win fades over time--take a look at some of the Ducks attendance stats over the last year. You have to enjoy moments like today when there is hope and promise while those moments last.

 

[crowi]

We've had that accusation leveled at CBJ staff before. "Perspective" is in rare supply around here; even those who've got it in some areas frequently lack it in others.

Actually I meant to say "every years' 1st", not every round, but I failed.