GDT: Game 16: Columbus vs. Vancouver | 11/10 7PM EST

[EDM]

If Joey continues to float as he has been doing, he will get traded either at the deadline or the off-season. The Jackets are not going to pony up $8-10 million per year to a player who is a superstar only in his own mind. The last hold out will be nothing compared to when Joey is a UFA. This bridge contract was a test to see if Joey had the mental attitude to become a real superstar. So far he has flunked badly. The Jacket simply will not give him the big contract when he plays this inconsistently. So they will lose him, either by trade this off season or as a UFA after next year where they will get nothing in return.

Who replaces him? Right now it would be Dubie, Wennberg, Karlsson and Campbell. Now is that as good as it would be if Joey were playing to his capabilities, no. But compared to the way he is playing now, it is only a small decrease in quality.

You can talk all you want about his potential, but I do not see JD & JK giving him the big contract and I do not see Joey accepting anything less. Net result is that if you are not going to sign him when he is up for free agency, you trade him.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Torts is irate.

He sounds as baffled as all of us and is saying the same things we've all been saying.

"We find ways to lose"

Torts sounds absolutely baffled by the psyche of this team. Welcome to Jacket-land Torts, where defeat is routinely snatched from the jaws of victory. Seriously starting to wonder of this franchise will ever make it in Cbus.....they just seem to be going nowhere.

Got that impression too. He seems out of answers already.

Wonder if he thinks he can win with this group. They're really soft. At some point Jarmo needs to pull the trigger and shake up the room if for no other reason than to show the fans they're trying to do something to change the toxic CBJ culture.

I believe this is called "grasping at straws".

The coach is apparently already baffled, so why not the fan base? This was the guy who was gonna kick ass and take names and put those bunch of candy-ass floaters in their place and bag stakes and yells and screams and Sgt. Hulka and whatever.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

EDIT:
The tl;dr version of this post reads
"I got no answer but a lot of questions but I don't think they're the same ones some of us are asking. Please try to consider without confirmation bias."

Folks have a lot of bad pet theories about what's wrong with this club.

Here's a classic one.

Good. Finally. I have been waiting 15 years for someone in the organization to get mad at losing. Someone that hates to lose. About damn time.

Doug MacLean ranted the entire time he was behind the bench. It doesn't just take hating to lose. As fans, we want to be entertained, and when the team is losing, the only entertainment left is for people associated with the team to act out, like us fans. Hell, I was there when Chill coach Terry Ruskowski threw all those sticks onto the ice. It was awesome! But it didn't make the team better. I suppose there are times when that remedy is indicated, but at best those times are few and far between and more likely extremely rare.

The defense that sucks so hard now is pretty much the same crew that helped the team go on its ridiculous run to end last season. So what's different? Does "reading your press clippings" all of a sudden make you unable to make a simple defensive play?

The team named a captain. Nick has struggled thus far this season. Is he crumbling under the weight of expectation? I thought he was the steady Eddie to keep the team on the right track.

The forward group is largely the same from the end of last season, save the fourth line. Is the poor overall play now attributable to guys who play less than 10 minutes a night?

These things and a lazy #1 center are things I've seen "blamed" for the horrific start. Are they combined evidence of a "country club mentality"? How the do we know who "hates to lose" and what their reaction to that hatred is?

Did the team change schemes in the offseason? Did the coaches start asking the players to do things differently from a d-zone coverage, a first-pass/zone-exit, zone-entry, offensive set standpoint? If so, why did those things not work? If not, why have the players proven so inept at executing schemes with which they were already familiar (and successful)?

Bob is the goalie. He's been sucky. It's knowable based on past history that he has started poorly at the beginning of seasons. There was some discussion as to this being addressed in the offseason. If I'm correct in that recollection, why did that effort fail?

 

[EDM]

This sounds a bit silly. But during our late season "charge" Marco Dano personally put a big shot of energy into the entire team. Because of him the Hartnell-Wennberg-Dano line became something like a 1B type of line. Plus he was all over the ice on defense as well. That really changed the dynamic for how teams played us. Could the absence of that scoring depth,when combined with Nick and Joey's underperformance and Bob's funk explain this season so far?

 

[KJ Dangler]

This sounds a bit silly. But during our late season "charge" Marco Dano personally put a big shot of energy into the entire team. Because of him the Hartnell-Wennberg-Dano line became something like a 1B type of line. Plus he was all over the ice on defense as well. That really changed the dynamic for how teams played us. Could the absence of that scoring depth,when combined with Nick and Joey's underperformance and Bob's funk explain this season so far?

No, because Jenner is doing much more than dano ever did, and leads the jackets in goals , hartnell is #2. The reason for our struggles are simple. Foligno, and Johansen. Two all stars that currently have one goal each . That's disgusting. Since Torts has come in, the defense has played well enough to win . Especially if your supposed best players actually contribute. They are not, and we are not scoring goals. Foligno had wide open net which probably wins game last night. Of course he didn't bury it .

 

[DarkandStormy]

 

[CBJWerenski8]

OK, so we go on a 6 game winning streak, then what? law of averages says we will then lose a couple in a row after that. win streaks are nice, but it's impossible to keep up that pace over a long enough time to have an impact on the overall record. Also, don't forget we have to climb over 3 teams in the Metro. This team is done.

Even if they go on a small losing streak (and I mean small. They really can't have anymore 5 game losing streaks realistically), if you come back and match those losses with the same amount of wins, then you're back to being right there. Look, I'm not saying we're going to win 6 straight and I'm not denying that the outlook looks grim here, but they are improving. They should have won last night. They should have won a few other times this season, and I know that's not going to mean anything to the standings, but they're getting better. Almost all of us agreed prior to the season that we were a playoff team, an incredibly bad start has poisoned that thinking in almost all of us now, but I will just say that we have gone through a few 6 game losing streaks or 7 game losing streaks in our playoff year in 2013-14, and won many games in December/January to fault us into contention.

In short, yes it's a grim outlook but one extended win streak followed by consistent play afterwards (a little above .500) for a while will put you right back on the map.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I appreciate your optimism but I can't see us going on a 6 game winning streak this season. RyJo hasn't had any dangerous scoring chances, I was correct to call him out earlier in the season-hate that I was right about him, Foligno is playing like the third line grinder he always was until last year. And the defense....I just can't fathom how we are the worst team in the NHL and haven't called anyone up from Cleveland to actually play. This one stung me bad, I actually thought we looked slow the whole game, heavy legs from trying to get in shape in practice maybe? I don't have any answers...this is depressing as ****. It's been 219 days since the last W on home ice.

Really? I only thought Murray looked slow. I thought they were pretty engaged and fast until Vancouver took the lead in the 3rd, then they folded like a chair.

I think we win that game if Foligno burries that shot.

 

[EDM]

"If" …………………..

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Yeah, if.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

How annoyed were you with a whole night dedicated to those military people that annoy you so much?

Once a year, during the week of Veterans Day, no big deal. An occasional shout out to someone who's done something really noteworthy is just fine as well. The broad brush, "you're a hero" just because you enlisted crap is out of hand. Military people don't annoy me. Faux pep rallies and cynical recruiting exercises do, however.

Since you brought it up, check this out:

A government oversight report released Wednesday by Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake offers new details about how the Department of Defense paid professional sports teams and leagues for patriotic displays honoring American soldiers.

“For the past several months, we have continued to work with DOD to fully understand the nature and extent of these contracts. In all, the military services reported $53 million in spending on marketing and advertising contracts with sports teams between 2012 and 2015. More than $10 million of that total was paid to teams in the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Soccer (MLS).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...department-of-defense-for-patriotic-displays/

My cynicism is vindicated

 

[major major]

Bob, Joey, and Foligno are slumping. That hurts, especially Bob. The rest of the team's structure has been surprisingly good under Torts. I don't think the D is markedly worse this year. I didn't think they were good last year during our run either. They've never been good. This is a team that relies on its goaltender to win.

 

[major major]

Who replaces him? Right now it would be Dubie, Wennberg, Karlsson and Campbell. Now is that as good as it would be if Joey were playing to his capabilities, no. But compared to the way he is playing now, it is only a small decrease in quality.

Jenner and Foligno would both make great centers.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

It's November. I don't care what the stats say, nobody is out of it in November.

Jackets go on a 6 game winning streak (Which isn't outrageous.) Bam, right back in it. It's a steep climb, but its not impossible.

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html

FWIW, and I did criticize use of this site last year, the CBJ are now given a 1.9% chance of making the playoffs.. A 0.0% chance at winning the Cup.

It's like me as a golfer. I'm capable of shooting a 76 or 77 on a hard course, but if I'm 5 over after 5 holes, then I'm not. Too much has gone wrong by that point, and I don't have the wherewithal to overcome that type of start. Theoretically, I do. But the odds of doing so are so slight as to make my realistic chance effectively zero. Too many pieces on the CBJ (defense, Bob, Johansen, Foligno) are out of sorts right now. They're all not going to right themselves immediately and stay that way for the rest of the season. Peak performance (which at 66% might be too high for a team like the CBJ even on paper prior to the season) is not going to happen over a 66 game stretch.

I'm on my way out the door to play Belterra Golf Course in Indiana and I have just jinxed myself

 

[Viqsi]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/j...covers-for-insane-stick-save-in-season-debut/

Just an FYI.

 

[Johansen2Foligno]

This sounds a bit silly. But during our late season "charge" Marco Dano personally put a big shot of energy into the entire team. Because of him the Hartnell-Wennberg-Dano line became something like a 1B type of line. Plus he was all over the ice on defense as well. That really changed the dynamic for how teams played us. Could the absence of that scoring depth,when combined with Nick and Joey's underperformance and Bob's funk explain this season so far?

It could. I also think we have to consider the notion that this team just isn't as good as we had hoped/expected.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html

FWIW, and I did criticize use of this site last year, the CBJ are now given a 1.9% chance of making the playoffs.. A 0.0% chance at winning the Cup.

It's like me as a golfer. I'm capable of shooting a 76 or 77 on a hard course, but if I'm 5 over after 5 holes, then I'm not. Too much has gone wrong by that point, and I don't have the wherewithal to overcome that type of start. Theoretically, I do. But the odds of doing so are so slight as to make my realistic chance effectively zero. Too many pieces on the CBJ (defense, Bob, Johansen, Foligno) are out of sorts right now. They're all not going to right themselves immediately and stay that way for the rest of the season. Peak performance (which at 66% might be too high for a team like the CBJ even on paper prior to the season) is not going to happen over a 66 game stretch.

I'm on my way out the door to play Belterra Golf Course in Indiana and I have just jinxed myself

5 straight birdies and you're back on track.

If we're in this same position or worse in mid to late December then I'll call it. We have plenty of division and eastern conference games left, we need those wins badly. If we can get them, we can put ourselves BACK IN the race. I'm not saying we will get in, but we can easily get back in this thing with an extended stretch.

 

[Johansen2Foligno]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/j...covers-for-insane-stick-save-in-season-debut/

Just an FYI.

Literally an inch the other way, or an inch higher, and that is a goal. Call it a great save, call it luck -- it doesn't matter. I bet Nick wishes he had that back

 

[Nordique]

I like the post game presser by Torts.

Moral victories.....yeah I'm done with those.

the players each have to look in the mirror after that game and say what could I have done in the 3rd period to make a difference.

Markstrom > Bob last night, can't have that.

Murray twice gets skated around

 

[thebus2288*]

I don't blame Bob for that one.

Bob should prove to about 10 guys that a goalie stick can actually fit up their *******

Trade Bob. He deserves better than this garbage team.

Thank Ryan Murray for this loss. Weakest play ever on the GWG and lost his man on one of the early point-blank gimmes.

Not unless you count Bob as MIA on the Sutter goal.

Goals 3 and 4 are on Bob just as much as the D.

The Sedin pass comes out of the corner pretty slow off a "slap" backhand pass THROUGH the top of his CREASE. His reaction to the pass was terrible. All he had to do was put his stick down and poke it away. There was no possible shot coming off the boards like that on a backhand. He also didn't even attempt to go "post to post" or be strong on his pads at all. After its poked in (I believe UNDER him) he acts as if he's surprised the puck is even in the area with these quick 'head turns'. "Pun" intended.

Goal 4 is the "same" while not as weakly played by him. Obviously Murray didn't play it the best, but he still made Sutter go quite wide, for him to then be able to go allllll the way across Bob like that. He again, while not as low as the pass on G3, was well low enough to just have to puck poked away. As he's going around Murray he has 1 hand on his stick just before he starts to cut to the middle. Bob should have realized he wasn't/cant shoot and should have aggressively been at the top area of his crease. He could have SIMPLY poked it away or significantly affected the angle and net Sutter had to work with. Instead he was allowed to go all the way across Bob and tuck it in far side pretty easily.

 

[CBJx614]

Hey now

 

[JKinCLE]

And they are in Pittsburgh

Wow. Just noticed they are away on Friday. I hadn't checked my ticket account in forever. I just assumed it was a home game and I was going. Ill be there Saturday I guess.

 

[db2011]

Who replaces him? Right now it would be Dubie, Wennberg, Karlsson and Campbell. Now is that as good as it would be if Joey were playing to his capabilities, no. But compared to the way he is playing now, it is only a small decrease in quality

None of those guys replaces Joey. They can't do what he can do, and the team would be weaker. Without Johansen, we don't touch contender status.

 

[ca5150]

Really? I only thought Murray looked slow. I thought they were pretty engaged and fast until Vancouver took the lead in the 3rd, then they folded like a chair.

I think we win that game if Foligno burries that shot.

It was just something I noticed in person about more than just Murray, Foligno looked slower than normal, Matty even looked a step slow. Might look different on TV when I look at the tape.

I thought the 4th line was our best line, they were dangerous all night, blocked shots, hit people and it was mainly because of Boll, I think he's played well since getting back in the lineup.

Sure we had a lot of shots but most of our shots are garbage, throw it at the net. The amount of turnovers and lack of being able to complete a pass was very disturbing.

 

[MAHJ71]

None of those guys replaces Joey. They can't do what he can do, and the team would be weaker. Without Johansen, we don't touch contender status.

They can't float and pick up an assist here and there?