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

[ca5150]

You're talking stereotypes. Is that you, Don?



Too late to learn for Doug.

stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason...

 

[bottompairingdman]

No I haven't seen any Finnish National games, that's why I said "hope" he likes hard nosed players, nobody on here knew much about the guy...

Don't know about liking hard nosed players, but from what I've seen and heard here in Finland he has an extremely keen eye for talent and helds everyone responsible for their actions (as in everyone in the organisation, whether you're a player, coach, scout or the guy who makes coffee for everyone).

He has also been described as straight, honest and hard-working. I'd like to think that he appreciates the same qualities in players, too.

 

[Crede777]

stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason...

They exist because of mental laziness. It's too hard to evaluate every thing top to bottom so our minds take shortcuts. These shortcuts are often misinformed or misleading, however, and don't actually represent reality.

 

[ca5150]

Don't know about liking hard nosed players, but from what I've seen and heard here in Finland he has an extremely keen eye for talent and helds everyone responsible for their actions (as in everyone in the organisation, whether you're a player, coach, scout or the guy who makes coffee for everyone).

He has also been described as straight, honest and hard-working. I'd like to think that he appreciates the same qualities in players, too.

From everything I have heard today, he sounds like a great catch, I'm excited to see what he brings!

 

[Ceff Jarter]

I just have a bone to pick with some people in this thread (and HF boards in general) but it is very relevant to CBJ fans.

I kinda get tired of the revisionist history when it comes to drafting. "!@$%# we took player x in 05 when player y was still on the board." There is no way of knowing that had we drafted Staal or Kopitar or Neal that we would have the 2013 version of that player on the CBJ roster. Howson wasn't a bad drafter, he was poor at overseeing the development of his draft pics. I hope that the new GM really finds flaws in the way we are developing our prospects.

 

[TheDoctorLies]

The Blues roster is not very good. I don't see why that's dumb.

Reaves, Nichol, Sobotka, Langenbrunner, D'Agostini, Kris Russel? all pretty worthless but that's fine, that's the 4th liners.

Petro and Shattenkirk are two stud d-men, but their other D are pretty weak (Polak, Cole, Jackman, Redden)

Too early to judge Tarasenko, or Schwartz, but then you are talking about a top six of Andy McDonald, David Backes, TJ Oshie, Alex Steen, Patrick Berglund and David Perron. 10 years of building for that? Sorry for not being impressed.

The most impressive thing about the Blues to me is Armstrong's willingness to make deals and ship out young guys regardless of draft stock if he likes the return (Johnson for Shattenkirk and Stewart, Lars Eller for Halak)

Also, I don't think it's dumb to question, since this is being widely hailed as a great hire, and he is now being given credit for every good Blues player and Senators player, why no other team in the NHL ever considered him and he's never been up for a GM job before.

Anything is better than Howson but I think that's a fair thing to ask

Not that I'm big on these hires or anything, but can you make up your mind? In one post you blame Jarmo & Davidson for not drafting and developing a superstar with the Blues and then in another post you say Dale Armstrong deserves all of the credit for the Blues' draft record. Which is it?

You, and others, need to realize that Jarmo and Davidson are not solely responsible for their previous teams' successes and failures. The Blues were one of the best organizations in the NHL prior to their few years near the bottom and are currently one point out of 8th place in the West.

 

[cbjfaninmo]

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.

Tom Stillman headed up a group of investors to purchase the Blues. My understanding is that he had to make some cost-cutting decisions to try to get their financial house in order. They could not afford JD and were fortunate enough to have Army waiting in the wing. JD was not shown the door. Also, when JD took over in St. Louis, the Blues were in shambles. The Blues have a good team and are now currently faced with a situation all too familiar here....no #1 goalie (until Halak gets back and proves he can carry the load).

 

[Ceff Jarter]

I just have a bone to pick with some people in this thread (and HF boards in general) but it is very relevant to CBJ fans.

I kinda get tired of the revisionist history when it comes to drafting. "!@$%# we took player x in 05 when player y was still on the board." There is no way of knowing that had we drafted Staal or Kopitar or Neal that we would have the 2013 version of that player on the CBJ roster. Howson wasn't a bad drafter, he was poor at overseeing the development of his draft pics. I hope that the new GM really finds flaws in the way we are developing our prospects.

 

[CapnCornelius]

I just have a bone to pick with some people in this thread (and HF boards in general) but it is very relevant to CBJ fans.

I kinda get tired of the revisionist history when it comes to drafting. "!@$%# we took player x in 05 when player y was still on the board." There is no way of knowing that had we drafted Staal or Kopitar or Neal that we would have the 2013 version of that player on the CBJ roster. Howson wasn't a bad drafter, he was poor at overseeing the development of his draft pics. I hope that the new GM really finds flaws in the way we are developing our prospects.

Disagree. The problem with NHL scouting is group think. Everyone relies too much on what the other guy thinks instead of making their own conclusions based on their own research. Jarmo is a smart guy and I hope that he finds a way around this problem. Spending more $$ on scouting than your opponents (most teams really do chintz in this area when it is often more affordable than blowing money on "talent" in free agency) and then really trusting your scouts would be a good start.

 

[Nordique]

Disagree. The problem with NHL scouting is group think. Everyone relies too much on what the other guy thinks instead of making their own conclusions based on their own research. Jarmo is a smart guy and I hope that he finds a way around this problem. Spending more $$ on scouting than your opponents (most teams really do chintz in this area when it is often more affordable than blowing money on "talent" in free agency) and then really trusting your scouts would be a good start.

This

But for what its worth, I think howson was a good drafter, minus filatov.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Interesting to see the polarized views on this hire and how he teams with JD. It ranges from almost assured greatness to The Blues not being that great. Maybe it's because I would be happy with a Blues-like season, but I think we are clearly on a good path. It starts with looking back at the Blues hiring of Hitch. They had a solid team but felt they could get better behind the bench and made the change, adding a true professional (and the record is confirmation). Similarly JD has come here and recognized an overhaul in philosophy is needed. I can't say how good JK will be, but I am convinced we now have two seasoned guys running the hockey operations. And I suspect they will add a third if/when a coaching change is needed.

 

[NotWendell]

Interesting to see the polarized views on this hire and how he teams with JD. It ranges from almost assured greatness to The Blues not being that great. Maybe it's because I would be happy with a Blues-like season, but I think we are clearly on a good path. It starts with looking back at the Blues hiring of Hitch. They had a solid team but felt they could get better behind the bench and made the change, adding a true professional (and the record is confirmation). Similarly JD has come here and recognized an overhaul in philosophy is needed. I can't say how good JK will be, but I am convinced we now have two seasoned guys running the hockey operations. And I suspect they will add a third if/when a coaching change is needed.

ANd hopefully Craig Patrick stays on as an advisor.

 

[pickledcotton]

I'm sending him a cat to hold on his lap and pet during press conferences.

HOF post!!!!

 

[MoeBartoli]

ANd hopefully Craig Patrick stays on as an advisor.

Nothing wrong with that!....especially since his role allows JD to get meaningful opinions to consider without worries on clashing about the final execution since he is acting as an advisor.

 

[SuperGenius]

And so it begins....

lol. took it the same way. the seeds of "fire davidson/jarmo"..

 

[Robert]

There are reasons folks come and go, CBJ fan dwells way too much on the past...

 

[Robert]

ANd hopefully Craig Patrick stays on as an advisor.

Nope.... he was a Priest/Howson support.... I hope he goes to a comfortable home now.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Today, Columbus hired a former pro player who had two separate brief stints in the NHL (but enough to score 5 goals as a forward). Outside of that, he was a good player at a high level just short of the NHL. He went from playing into post-bachelor's education, then was hired an the GM of another high-level team just short of the NHL before being named assistant GM of an NHL team.

Now then, is this June of 2007 or February of 2013?

 

[NotWendell]

Nope.... he was a Priest/Howson support.... I hope he goes to a comfortable home now.

or maybe he was the snitch

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I bet you are one of the people that shield your eyes and imagine a shaking your head emoticon in your head every time there is a fight too!

Since what we had previously been talking about and this post have nothing to do with each other, I have no idea how you made the mental leap. But whatever. I'll assume you are done having a discussion that has to do with your simplistic, outdated, jingoistic and just plain wrong viewpoint. Which is fine by me, as it was giving me a headache.

 

[jdhebner]

Sorry for the OT, and double sorry if this is a repeat (Mods can delete) but I can't help but think of This Guy

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Today, Columbus hired a former pro player who had two separate brief stints in the NHL (but enough to score 5 goals as a forward). Outside of that, he was a good player at a high level just short of the NHL. He went from playing into post-bachelor's education, then was hired an the GM of another high-level team just short of the NHL before being named assistant GM of an NHL team.

Now then, is this June of 2007 or February of 2013?

Point well taken (and I'm giving myself point for figuring out what you were up to about 14 words into you post - because, well, no one else is going to, and I feel like it).

Scarmo Kekalowson.

OK, I'm done with that picture, so I can just continue feeling good about this.

All of this nitpicking about Davidson's record or Jarmo's record really misses the big picture. The big picture is that JD's move makes it clear that the Jackets franchise is now going to be run by hockey professionals like a hockey franchise is supposed to be run, not as a casual hobby of the McConnell family and their friends (that refers to you, Mike Priest). THAT is the big story. The rest of the Central Division is now on notice that they will be dealing with professionals in Columbus, not amateurs dabbling in fantasy hockey.

Will JD and Jarmo make mistakes? Of course they will. They are human. Every draft pick will not work out exactly as planned. But with two hockey pros analyzing things, the likelihood of mistakes will be reduced. (A Scott Arneil will never again be hired here). Plus when mistakes are made, two experienced hockey guys working together will be able to recognize them more quickly and move to correct them in a timely manner.

Professional hockey has finally come to Columbus. The Amateur Hour has been cancelled and there will be no further episodes next year. It is all UP from here.

I wouldn't have phrased it exactly like this, but this is pretty much how I've been thinking about this move all day. Great post.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Sorry for the OT, and double sorry if this is a repeat (Mods can delete) but I can't help but think of This Guy

Anyone ever gone and done one of his guitar workshops? He lives down in the Hocking Hills area somewhere.

 

[jdhebner]

Anyone ever gone and done one of his guitar workshops? He lives down in the Hocking Hills area somewhere.

I saw him at the University of Delaware about 30 years ago. Great concert.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Anyone ever gone and done one of his guitar workshops? He lives down in the Hocking Hills area somewhere.

No but he and Cassidy used to play the clubs here somewhat regularly.