GDT: Game 35: Columbus at Minnesota | 12/31 6PM

[Cyclones Rock]

Just watched the highlights on nhl.com.

That 3rd goal, the Atkinson tip in, was a 4 pass sequence which would have made the greatest passing team of all time-the Russian Army team of the 70s and 80s-proud as peacocks.

This team is every GMs fantasy come true. It's as if everything that was projected on paper has worked out.

Bob has returned to Vezina form. Wennberg has been able to step up and replace Johansen. Jones has been able to assume a first pairing role. Werenski has been probably beyond the FOs wildest expectations at this point. With Werenski, Murray and Jones performing as well as they have, JMFJ has been able to play the role he's better suited for-second pairing-and has transformed from the NHL minus machine to a paragon of plus. Savard has also benefited from proper placement.

Atkinson and Saad are playing to expectation. Hartnell has been able to remain a physical presence while reigning in the stupid penalties-at age 34 at that! Sam Gagner is a bonus beyond belief. Karlsson and Sedlak are playing their roles to a 'T'.

That Clarkson could medically turn into Horton from a LITR cap standpoint is the work of a very benevolent Hockey God. This team has $12.5 million worth of deadline cap space according to capfriendly.com. Unfortunate for him and I do hope his back problems can be solved.

About the only disappointments overall have been Jenner and Dubinski, but they appear to be rounding into form.

While it's almost certain that the CBJ are going to come back to earth, a 5-5 10 games stretch say, it's been a remarkable experience to witness a team functioning at peak performance level for such a sustained time.

My hat, nah make that my head, is off to the Front Office. They have assembled a potential Cup Winner without anyone, save for Bob, who was expected by most to be an elite player on this season's roster.

 

[EdwardG]

I know this probably isn't the right thread but I need to ask. Where did this Atkinson come from? I've liked him and the Blue Jackets for a few years, but haven't really followed your team much recently. I've always thought Atkinson had good speed, hockey sense, a good shot, and good work ethic. I wasn't sure if he'd ever pan out. He seems like a changed player this year. Can someone a little more informed chime in? Thanks! It's hard not to enjoy the Blue Jackets this year. I know I'll keep harping on it... but I (like every single other Sharks fan) is and was upset about you taking Werenski at #8.

EDIT: Wow, apparently I'm not the only Sharks fan posting here.

It seems like Tortorella has really challenged Cam to play a more consistent two-way game and he's responded. Torts considers him his most reliable forward. I always thought of Atkinson as an inconsistent, talented, offense-first guy who was best the first few months of the season. It sure seems like he's taken the next step this year, as have a number of guys on the team (Jones, Wennberg).

The infusion of young talent from the Monsters (Werenski, Anderson, Sedlak, Nuti -- all big contributors) has really helped round out the roster. There are no wasted roster spots on this team.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

The game on Tuesday has a lot of club seats left, but everything else looks like they will easily sell. Fourth sell out in a row and the game vs. the Rangers is a no brainer sell out on Saturday.

I wonder if the Jackets can actually turn a profit this season with a two round playoff run.

 

[Aurinko]

It was a good game.

The Wild were playing with lot of anxiety and it showed.

CBJ turn into beast mode is the biggest news in hockey as far as I can remember.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Bob has returned to Vezina form. Wennberg has been able to step up and replace Johansen. Jones has been able to assume a first pairing role. Werenski has been probably beyond the FOs wildest expectations at this point. With Werenski, Murray and Jones performing as well as they have, JMFJ has been able to play the role he's better suited for-second pairing-and has transformed from the NHL minus machine to a paragon of plus. Savard has also benefited from proper placement.

Atkinson and Saad are playing to expectation. Hartnell has been able to remain a physical presence while reigning in the stupid penalties-at age 34 at that! Sam Gagner is a bonus beyond belief. Karlsson and Sedlak are playing their roles to a 'T'.

Saad is underrated even in Columbus.

He leads the NHL in even strength points. Everyone. He only has ONE PP point this year and is on pace for 75 points.

He has been phenomenal this year.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

There is no easy games like it used to be. Win one means as much as win fifteen.

 

[pete goegan]

Just watched the highlights on nhl.com.

That 3rd goal, the Atkinson tip in, was a 4 pass sequence which would have made the greatest passing team of all time-the Russian Army team of the 70s and 80s-proud as peacocks.

This team is every GMs fantasy come true. It's as if everything that was projected on paper has worked out.

Bob has returned to Vezina form. Wennberg has been able to step up and replace Johansen. Jones has been able to assume a first pairing role. Werenski has been probably beyond the FOs wildest expectations at this point. With Werenski, Murray and Jones performing as well as they have, JMFJ has been able to play the role he's better suited for-second pairing-and has transformed from the NHL minus machine to a paragon of plus. Savard has also benefited from proper placement.

Atkinson and Saad are playing to expectation. Hartnell has been able to remain a physical presence while reigning in the stupid penalties-at age 34 at that! Sam Gagner is a bonus beyond belief. Karlsson and Sedlak are playing their roles to a 'T'.

That Clarkson could medically turn into Horton from a LITR cap standpoint is the work of a very benevolent Hockey God. This team has $12.5 million worth of deadline cap space according to capfriendly.com. Unfortunate for him and I do hope his back problems can be solved.

About the only disappointments overall have been Jenner and Dubinski, but they appear to be rounding into form.

While it's almost certain that the CBJ are going to come back to earth, a 5-5 10 games stretch say, it's been a remarkable experience to witness a team functioning at peak performance level for such a sustained time.

My hat, nah make that my head, is off to the Front Office. They have assembled a potential Cup Winner without anyone, save for Bob, who was expected by most to be an elite player on this season's roster.

Good post, CR, I agree.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

That 3rd goal, the Atkinson tip in, was a 4 pass sequence which would have made the greatest passing team of all time-the Russian Army team of the 70s and 80s-proud as peacocks.

A lot to get in to in your good post, CR, but I'll pull this out for particular agreement. Have watched it several times and it amazes every time.

It was a good game.

The Wild were playing with lot of anxiety and it showed.

CBJ turn into beast mode is the biggest news in hockey as far as I can remember.

Sounds at first like an excuse for losing but I wonder if what people thought might be home-ice advantage didn't play a role in reverse.

Saad is underrated even in Columbus.

He leads the NHL in even strength points. Everyone. He only has ONE PP point this year and is on pace for 75 points.

He has been phenomenal this year.

Perhaps the implication is "phenomenal" was the expectation?

 

[Speedy Sanderson]

I can't argue with any of the praise being thrown to Cam, Saad, Werenski, Jones, etc., but the players who have blown me away are Johnson and Savard. They are just so darn solid in the defensive zone this year. Whether skating the puck out, or making nifty passes that start the rush, I never could have imagined they'd play like this (or that Johnson would have such a great plus/minus).

It really sucks that we could lose one of them to Vegas in the expansion draft.

 

[The Jones Zone]

I forgot to DVR the game.....had to leave right after Cam's first goal

then I plan on catching most of it on NHL.com free game...but an Inmate tries to hang himself.......the wonderful life of working in a prison

guess the highlights will have to do

FIFTEEN........totally amazing, hope we aren't peaking too soon

#CBJ

 

[Speedy Sanderson]

I forgot to DVR the game.....had to leave right after Cam's first goal

then I plan on catching most of it on NHL.com free game...but an Inmate tries to hang himself.......the wonderful life of working in a prison

guess the highlights will have to do

FIFTEEN........totally amazing, hope we aren't peaking too soon

#CBJ

Better than peaking too late like in 2013 and 2015.

 

[Ar-too]

Atkinson's second... that passing sequence was lovely.

I've seen the CBJ do stuff that I see and think to myself, "I remember when teams used to do stuff like that to us all the time." I don't remember a passing sequence like that to be honest.

 

[Dr. Fire]

Davidge said before the game that all the pressure was on Minny playing at home. He was right.

Bill also said, post game, that Testtube told him that he hoped the CBJ would beat Minny so that the Oil could come in on Tuesday and stop the winning streak.

Gotta make Letestu eat those words!

 

[DougKnowsBest]

I can't recommend the fox sports go app enough.

I was at a party themed for the amateur team that plays in Columbus. They had like 4tvs all the same game. As everyone watched that **** show I chilled with my phone watching crystal clear no lag cbj dominance eating pork and sauerkraut sipping my short north IPA


Atkinsons goal has to be in contention as franchise coolest/best ever.... give me that over Nash's style if 1on1 goals

 

[Zoo16]

Davidge said before the game that all the pressure was on Minny playing at home. He was right.

Bill also said, post game, that Testtube told him that he hoped the CBJ would beat Minny so that the Oil could come in on Tuesday and stop the winning streak.

Gotta make Letestu eat those words!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByxDVPlchy1-OGxtNkUwbmxITzg

 

[LetsGOJackets!!]

Just watched the highlights on nhl.com.

That 3rd goal, the Atkinson tip in, was a 4 pass sequence which would have made the greatest passing team of all time-the Russian Army team of the 70s and 80s-proud as peacocks.

This team is every GMs fantasy come true. It's as if everything that was projected on paper has worked out.

Bob has returned to Vezina form. Wennberg has been able to step up and replace Johansen. Jones has been able to assume a first pairing role. Werenski has been probably beyond the FOs wildest expectations at this point. With Werenski, Murray and Jones performing as well as they have, JMFJ has been able to play the role he's better suited for-second pairing-and has transformed from the NHL minus machine to a paragon of plus. Savard has also benefited from proper placement.

Atkinson and Saad are playing to expectation. Hartnell has been able to remain a physical presence while reigning in the stupid penalties-at age 34 at that! Sam Gagner is a bonus beyond belief. Karlsson and Sedlak are playing their roles to a 'T'.

That Clarkson could medically turn into Horton from a LITR cap standpoint is the work of a very benevolent Hockey God. This team has $12.5 million worth of deadline cap space according to capfriendly.com. Unfortunate for him and I do hope his back problems can be solved.

About the only disappointments overall have been Jenner and Dubinski, but they appear to be rounding into form.

While it's almost certain that the CBJ are going to come back to earth, a 5-5 10 games stretch say, it's been a remarkable experience to witness a team functioning at peak performance level for such a sustained time.

My hat, nah make that my head, is off to the Front Office. They have assembled a potential Cup Winner without anyone, save for Bob, who was expected by most to be an elite player on this season's roster.

This is so spot on... and I now see why St. Louis has been built so well and continue to see results years after JD & JK have moved on. Picking JK to be the GM, first finnish GM ever well that has lent to drafting Nutivaara in the 7th round last year which cannot be overstated: Werenski - the teams #1 draft pick (War room favorite), has been outstanding and everything that they wanted him to be, while Nutivaara the Finn is extremely good (thanks for the headup on this Tulip). He plays a complete game both offensive and defensive that really balances Ryan Murray. To see Sedlak play centre with Hartzy and Gags and the hip checks he knows how to throw.. deposits players into the bench.. Josh Anderson - Josh Anderson is a friggin beast that the folks in Cleveland have been raving about. Once we have the chance in a year or two to see Korpi or Forsberg, Bjorkstrand and Milano, on the big club we are really going to know just how genius JK is. Columbus had been so badly run with so many scrapped plans - that our fanbase doesn't even know what it has yet even with a 15 game win streak. If the folks that live here don't understand the ground swell going on - how could we expect the rest of the NHL to know. Columbus doesn't even register on their monitor, yet..

 

[jacketsinDC]

Saad is underrated even in Columbus.

He leads the NHL in even strength points. Everyone. He only has ONE PP point this year and is on pace for 75 points.

He has been phenomenal this year.

I don't post on these boards much, but I do come here for answers- Why isn't Saad getting a ton of PP points? I assume he's not on the PP, I haven't noticed him.... Should he maybe take gagner's spot (admitting gagner may be a product of his environment)? I can't imagine that Saad isn't worthwhile on the PP.... he's got great hands in front of the net.

 

[PanniniClaus]

This is just an awesome story...good for the fans of Columbus. Atkinson is a deadly, deadly little player. Maybe a more explosive Ray Whitney..

 

[Old Guy]

I don't post on these boards much, but I do come here for answers- Why isn't Saad getting a ton of PP points? I assume he's not on the PP, I haven't noticed him.... Should he maybe take gagner's spot (admitting gagner may be a product of his environment)? I can't imagine that Saad isn't worthwhile on the PP.... he's got great hands in front of the net.

Just my opinion, others can join or refute.

Saad is on the 2nd unit. They haven't gotten much time because the 1st unit has sometimes scored so quickly. When the second unit has gotten time, they either haven't scored or scored and Brandon just hasn't been part of the play.

He has not always gotten second unit time. Hart bell has rotated in recently as he had heated up.

 

[Byrral]

I don't post on these boards much, but I do come here for answers- Why isn't Saad getting a ton of PP points? I assume he's not on the PP, I haven't noticed him.... Should he maybe take gagner's spot (admitting gagner may be a product of his environment)? I can't imagine that Saad isn't worthwhile on the PP.... he's got great hands in front of the net.

He's on the second PP unit. And no to taking out Gagner. Why change something when it's working so well.

 

[major major]

Players that are still underrated in Columbus: Saad, Hartnell, Foligno, Savard.

This is so spot on... and I now see why St. Louis has been built so well and continue to see results years after JD & JK have moved on. Picking JK to be the GM, first finnish GM ever well that has lent to drafting Nutivaara in the 7th round last year which cannot be overstated: Werenski - the teams #1 draft pick (War room favorite), has been outstanding and everything that they wanted him to be, while Nutivaara the Finn is extremely good (thanks for the headup on this Tulip). He plays a complete game both offensive and defensive that really balances Ryan Murray. To see Sedlak play centre with Hartzy and Gags and the hip checks he knows how to throw.. deposits players into the bench.. Josh Anderson - Josh Anderson is a friggin beast that the folks in Cleveland have been raving about. Once we have the chance in a year or two to see Korpi or Forsberg, Bjorkstrand and Milano, on the big club we are really going to know just how genius JK is. Columbus had been so badly run with so many scrapped plans - that our fanbase doesn't even know what it has yet even with a 15 game win streak. If the folks that live here don't understand the ground swell going on - how could we expect the rest of the NHL to know. Columbus doesn't even register on their monitor, yet..

Some of those awesome young players you were praising were drafted by that bad pervious mgmt you were complaining about.

Howson's first picks are peaking now (Atkinson, Calvert, Savard).

Howson's late year picks are just starting their NHL careers (Anderson, Sedlak, Forsberg, Jenner, Murray)

 

[cbjfaninmo]

This run has just been so fun and incredible to watch! I think it may be even sweeter for those of us around since the very beginning. This is such a fun team to watch...and to think we have more coming in the pipeline. I know there is the PLD debate in another thread but I hope Jarmo and company can strike gold with this pick. It is hard not to trust their judgement right now.

 

[major major]

I can't argue with any of the praise being thrown to Cam, Saad, Werenski, Jones, etc., but the players who have blown me away are Johnson and Savard. They are just so darn solid in the defensive zone this year. Whether skating the puck out, or making nifty passes that start the rush, I never could have imagined they'd play like this (or that Johnson would have such a great plus/minus).

It really sucks that we could lose one of them to Vegas in the expansion draft.

Savard will be protected. We thought that going into the year, and he's playing far better than expected. The advanced stats say he's pulling JJ up. Not that JJ hasn't been good, but that Savard has been great.

 

[NotWendell]

I actually thought Dubinsky was pretty good in the Minnesota game

 

[NotWendell]

Not yet.....

Agreed. He needs to upgrade his coaches on offense from the coordinator on down.