Things are looking up for the Blue Jackets. If we keep playing well and most of our division rivals keep falling by the wayside, we'll probably have a good chance at second place in the Metro, and eventually, a Stanley Cup.
GDT: Game 48: Columbus at Buffalo | 1/18 7PM EST
- Thread starter Samkow
- Start date
I've watched that shoot out winner about 8 times now, that was just sick! I think Joey talent wise is a better player than Nash at this stage of his career. This guy is just fun to watch!
Cyclones Rock
Registered User
- Jun 12, 2008
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How sweet it is!
Last year after 48 games, the CBJ had 55 points but lost the tiebreaker. This year, 52 points and a playoff spot for having the winning tie breaker had the season ended tonight.
Last season 19 Reg/OT wins; this season 20. 3 more regulation losses this season.
This year's CBJ young forwards have additonal seasoning and a few are coming into their own. Injuries to Horton and Bob have healed and Gaborik is due back soon. Murray's additon to the defensive corps has been nothing but a positive.
Given the fact that Bob hasn't played superhuman most of the time this season, I'm very comfortable with my opinion that this is a better team than last season's, and I think it is by a comfortable margin.
Hopefully the boys can continue to make hay while the schedule is beneficiary. 6 out of the next 7 are on home ice. If the Jackets can perform well in this stretch and get 1 out of 3 on the western trip preceding Sochi, they can put themselves in the driver's seat regarding a playoff berth.
6 in a row!!!!!!!! How about them apples
Cyclones Rock
Registered User
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That Rick Nash trade is starting to look like a big win for our side. Props to XGMSH and Craig Patrick.
Crede777
Deputized
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What would you guys think about trying to acquire Marcus Foligno? Foligno is having a down year (something like 19 points in 72 games pace) and had a shoulder injury.
That said, he's still relatively young and I think would be an upgrade on Umberger. He brings speed, grit, and a scoring touch just like his brother. Also, he can take face-offs.
Imagine a line of: Marcus Foligno - Ryan Johansen - Nick Foligno
I don't know what Buffalo would be looking for. If a defenseman, maybe something around Erixon?
That said, he's still relatively young and I think would be an upgrade on Umberger. He brings speed, grit, and a scoring touch just like his brother. Also, he can take face-offs.
Imagine a line of: Marcus Foligno - Ryan Johansen - Nick Foligno
I don't know what Buffalo would be looking for. If a defenseman, maybe something around Erixon?
TheOllieC
cajun filet
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
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Why are we so quick to replace RJ on the Johansen line? He's kept up fine with them, and he's on pace for a good season. I get it, he's overpaid. But he's doing fine and unless it's adding someone elite or significantly better than RJ, I don't want to break whats working
RJ is worse than the regular stats even indicate. If you count the number of plays that die on his stick, you'd realize how much better his linemates would be with a linemate who could handle the puck.
Fro
Cheatin on CBJ w TBL
Aaron Portzline @Aportzline 16m
#CBJ improved to 18-12-3 vs. the East. Take Pittsburgh (0-4) and Boston (0-2-1) out of the equation and it's 18-6-2. #cantdothatthough
#CBJ improved to 18-12-3 vs. the East. Take Pittsburgh (0-4) and Boston (0-2-1) out of the equation and it's 18-6-2. #cantdothatthough
Fro
Cheatin on CBJ w TBL
as well as a better finisher...he was so quick to say he'd park himself in the crease a few weeks back...i'm not sure i've seen him w/in 5 ft of it more than 3 times since he said that a few weeks back...
I agree, RJ is holding his own this year. The scheming to replace him does not fit right now. RJ is part of the chemistry.
I'm not sure if Marcus Foligno could keep up on a top scoring line, he doesn't have the puck control skills that Nick Foligno has. What he is is an absolute beast. He's closer to Prout in strength than he is to his brother. I'd love to acquire him. For something like Rychel would be great to my mind, but I don't think they'd part with him for anything in that league. They'd expect Jenner + in return.
SuperGenius
For Duty & Humanity!
- Mar 18, 2008
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Sorry, just don't see it.
It amazes me how RJ Umberger, of all players, can be such a polarizing entity on these boards. IMO, he's playing his role just fine. His ability to get to pucks and work the wall help get the puck to Joey and Foligno more than anything else hurts. His screens are also another complement to their skill.
Look, I know Umberger sucked last year and the year before, but this is not the same guy - he's had a fine year. Beat up on the contract all you want, but it is what it is and the guy who gave him that deal is long gone. At this point I don't care what he's paid anymore, I just want a guy who's going to make plays for this team and work well with his linemates. RJ has been that guy, IMO, and I only see his value to the team increasing as the season continues and the pressure rises.
Fro
Cheatin on CBJ w TBL
RJ is holding his own...sure, hard to dispute it...but with a better finisher, Joey has 10 more points this year easily...
SuperGenius
For Duty & Humanity!
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maybe, but he might have ten less points if there isn't an RJ screening or digging out pucks along the wall. Joey might have prettier plays, I guess, but I'm not so sure the net result would be all that much better with someone more skilled than RJ.
Why are we complaining about this line again? lol.
There's hundreds of guys in the league who are quick on the forecheck and can set a screen. That's a really low bar for the guy you want next to your top center. Put a guy on that line who also has at least average touch.
I find it amazing that we still try and make predictions about performance based on linemates. Remember when everyone was saying all Rick Nash needed was an elite center?
RJ is shooting at a 13% clip, which is pretty good percentage. His goal total is where it should be at since he isn't taking nearly 3 shots on goal a game now.
I seen nothing wrong with how RJ is fitting into his role on that line and with the team.
All we need is to find a guy that is a better finisher than RJ and also screening and digging out pucks along the wall.
Crede777
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I didn't mean to discount Umberger -- yes the line is working well now. It's more that I wanted to see the two Folignos together.
As for the longer term of the line, I hope Johansen eventually graduates to 1st line center. If that is the case, I doubt Umberger (or maybe even Foligno) goes with him.
As for the longer term of the line, I hope Johansen eventually graduates to 1st line center. If that is the case, I doubt Umberger (or maybe even Foligno) goes with him.
Solid game offensively. Felt like the Jackets were on the offensive most of the game after the first period snafoo. Miller made some key stops or this could have been a 5 goal game.
Defense did good offensively, but as a team the defense was lackluster. Bad giveaways and too much standing around in their own end.
Good job by bob in the shootout. Cant blame him for those first 2 goals. Good effort overall.
Overall, two points on a the 2nd night of back to backs, all you can ask for really. Hope everyone is ready to tighten up against the Kings on tuesday night.
Defense did good offensively, but as a team the defense was lackluster. Bad giveaways and too much standing around in their own end.
Good job by bob in the shootout. Cant blame him for those first 2 goals. Good effort overall.
Overall, two points on a the 2nd night of back to backs, all you can ask for really. Hope everyone is ready to tighten up against the Kings on tuesday night.
Really? You find it amazing that people make predictions about performance based on linemates?
And again, I want to point out that RJ's finishing is not terrible. It's his puck control. Our possession time would be higher if he was good at it, and that does translate into lower production for his linemates.
Umberger is our 10 or 11th best forward. Foligno and Johansen drive that line every night. If you think he helps our team by bringing something special and doesn't hold those guys back offensively your expectations for him and a NHL hockey player are way too low.
