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

[Kane One]

Congrats on the hiring. I hope he makes good use out of the pick the Rangers traded.

 

[bizzz*]

Congrats on the hiring. I hope he makes good use out of the pick the Rangers traded.

I hope the Rangers help him and make this pick higher

 

[Louie the Blue]

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.

JD was the one that brought Armstrong over to the Blues. He had the bright idea to bring in the GM in waiting to replace Larry Pleau once he was going to retire as to ease the transition from Pleau to Armstrong.

JD also became president of what was at the time a terrible team the previous season, similar to what JD has done in Columbus, and made drastic changes.

Make no mistake, JD deserves a bunch of credit to getting the Blues on the path they are on right now but everything from the Halak trade to since JD's departure was Army.

JD was let go due to a cost saving measure. As the team has improved with Army being GM, there was no point for JD to be in St. Louis at such a high cost when Armstrong was essentially doing both JD's and his own job. Stillman, the Blues owner, said from day one was to get the finances in place. Part of that was buying out JD's contract.

That being said, I wish nothing but the best for Jarmo.

 

[FakePlasticJackets]

Jackets play their best game in years and promptly fire the GM. That sounds about right.

How can we sleep while our beds are burning?

 

[PhillyPhinn]

The people not impressed by Perron/Oshie type late 1st picks, need to seriously take a look at what kind of players usually go in that area of the draft. At least 50% of those guys will never make any sort of impact at the NHL level, and very few become the 1st-2nd line players that Perron/Oshie have become. It's ridiculous if you're not satisfied with those picks, when looking at who the other teams picked in the same area. Yes, no one's going to be perfect, but in terms of drafting/evaluating, I don't think JK is overrated. Time will tell how well he does the other stuff(contract negotiations, trades for current players etc.), but there really is no argument to knock his drafting.

 

[Viqsi]

Never felt so alive.

Did anyone really trust Howson to pick 3 times in the 1st round??

(if you say yes, something is wrong with you)

Yes. Yes I would have.

But I do believe JK is an upgrade in that regard.

* * *​

The people not impressed by Perron/Oshie type late 1st picks, need to seriously take a look at what kind of players usually go in that area of the draft. At least 50% of those guys will never make any sort of impact at the NHL level, and very few become the 1st-2nd line players that Perron/Oshie have become. It's ridiculous if you're not satisfied with those picks, when looking at who the other teams picked in the same area. Yes, no one's going to be perfect, but in terms of drafting/evaluating, I don't think JK is overrated. Time will tell how well he does the other stuff(contract negotiations, trades for current players etc.), but there really is no argument to knock his drafting.

Oh, that's nothing. We've had criticisms of the previous regime along the lines of "we've picked top-5 every year, we should have multiple All-Stars by now." Expectations around here tend to be a tad ludicrous... and suggesting otherwise is a good way to get accused of being "happy with losing/mediocrity". Creates a feedback loop of insanity.

Part of why that is is because we've HAD successes in these regards several times before, but it doesn't look like it because of 1) failures elsewhere that outweigh same, and 2) laziness on the part of the rest of the NHL being dismissive (which means folks can't check mistaken assumptions as easily).

So, really, outside clarification is much appreciated.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Jackets play their best game in years and promptly fire the GM. That sounds about right.

How can we sleep while our beds are burning?

Yep, you.re right....that game got us into the Stanley Cup finals!

 

[12ozPapa]

Blue Jackets have always been my number two favorite team. I'm so happy for all you fans. You guys MORE than deserve it. What a splending hiring.

Here's to a much better future!!!

 

[Finnpin]

As a Jokerit fan I'm sad, as a Ducks fan I'm worried, as a Finn I'm ecstatic. I guess there's another team in the west for me now!

I can sign those words. I feel totally the same.

 

[Timeless Winter]

Always room for more Finns in the Blue Jackets fanbase. As a CBJ diehard fan I enjoy watching guys like Selanne, the Koivu bros, Granlund, and Vatanen.

 

[FinRuutu]

Always room for more Finns in the Blue Jackets fanbase. As a CBJ diehard fan I enjoy watching guys like Selanne, the Koivu bros, Granlund, and Vatanen.

As a Detroit fan I will never root for Columbus, but you just hired a guy that I respect more than anyone in Finnish hockey circles so Columbus gains some (a lot) respect in my eyes (not that it matters to anyone ).

Maybe Canada will respect you soon too as Agent 47 helps to turn your ship around.

 

[Finnpin]

"Ok players, now impress me"

(maybe somebody could photoshop that cat in the pic )

 

[Needles]

(maybe somebody could photoshop that cat in the pic )

Bring me Mr. Umberger...

 

[Finnpin]

yes, well done!

 

[JACKETfan]

Bring me Mr. Umberger...

That's a pic of "Blofeld" from You Only Live Twice (Bond).

"This organization does not tolerate failure." -Blofeld

 

[MattTheMask]

Never felt so alive.

Did anyone really trust Howson to pick 3 times in the 1st round??

(if you say yes, something is wrong with you)

I agree. I feel like there is new blood in me. I feel re-energized. We needed this shot of adrenaline.

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.

Yep. About time. Glad ownership is finally taking us seriously.

 

[Dropkick Murphy]

(maybe somebody could photoshop that cat in the pic )

Is this what you were looking for?

Good luck for Jarmo, as I said before he's good but I was not impressed with the work he did in signing players to Jokerit. Somebody was saying that because there's no trading in Europe, it is too short sample to look at his three years with Jokerit. No trading is mostly true, but also everybody is UFA in Europe and contracts are mostly for 1-2 years long. Going three years with top paybill and below-average defense is not excellent work in my eyes. And everybody who follows SM-liiga closely knows that Kilpeläinen hasn't been top 5 goalie in Finland.

Then, when it comes to scouting NA-style and building up the junior system in Eurostyle, Kekäläinen has been very good. And as I said, number two in SM-liiga last three years is not bad. But ain't no Jesus either.

 

[Needles]

"This organization does not tolerate failure." -Blofeld

Exactly!

And everybody who follows SM-liiga closely knows that Kilpeläinen hasn't been top 5 goalie in Finland.

It's not that easy to play well in every game when you don't face many shots.

4th in games played, 1st in shutouts, 3rd in wins, 3rd in GAA & 10th in percentage. He is easily a top 5 goalie in Finland, even though he has a bad game every now and then. If he was more consistent, he wouldn't play in Finland.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Always room for more Finns in the Blue Jackets fanbase. As a CBJ diehard fan I enjoy watching guys like Selanne, the Koivu bros, Granlund, and Vatanen.

But the CBJ are cursed by Finns, remember?

Hannes Hyvonen played 36 games, Tomi Kallio 12, Sami Lepisto 19, Petteri Nummelin 61, Lasse Pirjeta 108, and Fredrik Norrena 100. That's a total of just 336 games, played by guys who are either mediocre or else left in the middle of a season (Hyvonen and Norrena).

 

[Mayor Bee]

Is this what you were looking for?

Not at all; change the cat to Felix Potvin, and we'll have something.

 

[Jaxs]

But the CBJ are cursed by Finns, remember?

Hannes Hyvonen played 36 games, Tomi Kallio 12, Sami Lepisto 19, Petteri Nummelin 61, Lasse Pirjeta 108, and Fredrik Norrena 100. That's a total of just 336 games, played by guys who are either mediocre or else left in the middle of a season (Hyvonen and Norrena).

Yeah but now The Finn is in place to uncover the next Selanne or Koivu. Maybe the next Kipper is already in the system, Korpisalo.

 

[KeithBWhittington]

Never felt so alive.

Did anyone really trust Howson to pick 3 times in the 1st round??

(if you say yes, something is wrong with you)

Honestly? If Howson were around for the draft, I'd expect two of those picks would be gone in trades by the time the first round started.... For good or ill, I can't say.

 

[MattTheMask]

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!

That's great to hear that it was well received Do you by chance have a link, or podcast link? Would be a good, interesting interview to hear. Thanks!

 

[MattTheMask]

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.

Well said

 

[Nordique]

Never felt so alive.

Did anyone really trust Howson to pick 3 times in the 1st round??

(if you say yes, something is wrong with you)

I'm excited about the new guy, but are Moore, Johansen, and Murray that bad? (Howson's last 3, 1st round picks). Howson made his share of blunders, but those aren't bad picks imo. If you want to move down to Howson's later round drafting...well he was actually pretty good in that dept.

Also, don't forget who got us those 2 additional 1st round picks.

Scott was a good drafter, I happen to believe Jarmo is a great drafter.