GDT: Game 55: Columbus vs. Florida | 2/1 7PM EST

[Cash for Nash]

We traded for him specifically to add to a playoff run. We miss it by a half a game and now it's "thanks for the memories" and grab a pick or a prospect?
You don't trade a .75 point per game playoff battle tested veteran before the playoffs.

Well. That was last year. Things have changed . We're almost top five in the league in scoring now (without him). We have added a battle tested veteran (Horton) and our young guys have grown leaps and bounds (Atkinson, Jenner, Murray, Ryjo).

I'm not saying you trade Gaborik, but the team has played its best hockey without him (maybe not his fault). All I know is if you keep Gabby, then some players will have to go via deadline. And the question begs, do you resign him at his age? Not sure.

 

[major major]

I agree, rest Matty, but that's a really tough choice to make come playoffs, the guy's a warrior. If we actually get a playoff run this depth is going to be great, guys inevitably get dinged up and we can rotate them in and out.

I've got to add (yes I'm quoting myself) that where we slot in Gaborik isn't just about who should sit, but also who we need to get ggoing, specifically Anisimov. Arty is so skilled but has nothing going right now. I don't see Foligno-Anisimov-Umberger as a scoring line.. Perhaps swap in Gaborik for Umberger for a while and give Umby a chance in Calvert's place.

 

[Robert]

I've got to add (yes I'm quoting myself) that where we slot in Gaborik isn't just about who should sit, but also who we need to get ggoing, specifically Anisimov. Arty is so skilled but has nothing going right now. I don't see Foligno-Anisimov-Umberger as a scoring line.. Perhaps swap in Gaborik for Umberger for a while and give Umby a chance in Calvert's place.

Arty (Anisimov) does seem to escape critical assessment while the young guys get questioned every game they play....

In my opinion, Arty should get benched a game... he's done little of late simply because we are not in shootouts much... (why is this head coach?)


Did Anisimov even play tonight? I can't recall Rimer calling his name once???

 

[JacketFanInFL]

I'm not saying you trade Gaborik, but the team has played its best hockey without him (maybe not his fault). All I know is if you keep Gabby, then some players will have to go via deadline. And the question begs, do you resign him at his age? Not sure.

And we're barely clinging to a playoff spot among stout competition. He comes back and he puts us over the edge, in my opinion. Plus, he has experience in the playoffs.

Other players can be moved or sat for the playoffs, I don't care at this point. It's a good problem to have as others have mentioned.

After this season is anybody's guess.

 

[Cash for Nash]

Arty (Anisimov) does seem to escape critical assessment while the young guys get questioned every game they play....
In my opinion, Arty should get benched a game... he's done little of late simply because we are not in shootouts much...


Did Anisimov even play tonight? I can't recall Rimer calling his name once???

It's funny you mention him. When mentioning everyone (good or bad) I always forget him. Every when he scores it's quiet lol. Just one of those guys....

 

[JacketFanInFL]

Arty (Anisimov) does seem to escape critical assessment while the young guys get questioned every game they play....

In my opinion, Arty should get benched a game... he's done little of late simply because we are not in shootouts much...


Did Anisimov even play tonight? I can't recall Rimer calling his name once???

That's true, and fair.

He does play on the PK, so he'll get a little reprieve there. His offensive output has been a disappointment.

 

[major major]

Well. That was last year. Things have changed . We're almost top five in the league in scoring now (without him). We have added a battle tested veteran (Horton) and our young guys have grown leaps and bounds (Atkinson, Jenner, Murray, Ryjo).

I'm not saying you trade Gaborik, but the team has played its best hockey without him (maybe not his fault). All I know is if you keep Gabby, then some players will have to go via deadline. And the question begs, do you resign him at his age? Not sure.

Really? Or do we just go with lots of scratches and insane depth into the playoffs? I have no problem with shutting down Boll for the year, though I think there's hard decisions with Skille, Comeau and Tropp. If the playoffs start with us at full health, I'd roll with:

Jenner- Johansen - Horton
Foligno- Anisimov - Gaborik
Calvert/Umberger - Dubinsky - Atkinson
Mackenzie - Letestu - Tropp/Comeau

Tyutin - Johnson
Wisniewski - Murray
Nikitin - Goloubef
Savard

Skille deserves a shot (he has the best G/60 on the team), but we don't have a spot for him and he'll likely go somewhere as a UFA this summer where he can play. Of course, injuries...

 

[Robert]

It's funny you mention him. When mentioning everyone (good or bad) I always forget him. Every when he scores it's quiet lol. Just one of those guys....

That's true, and fair. He does play on the PK, so he'll get a little reprieve there. His offensive output has been a disappointment.

Thank you... The head coach should be on this.... just saying...

 

[major major]

Arty (Anisimov) does seem to escape critical assessment while the young guys get questioned every game they play....

In my opinion, Arty should get benched a game... he's done little of late simply because we are not in shootouts much... (why is this head coach?)


Did Anisimov even play tonight? I can't recall Rimer calling his name once???

I agree... Arty needs some tough love. Tortorella had him in the doghouse half the time, and made him a better player. I'm critical of Arty because he really should be a 50 point two way force.

 

[NotWendell]

Columbus had the better talent at just about every position tonight. Funny that a few years ago, we would have killed to have Tim Thomas and Brian Campbell.

 

[Cash for Nash]

And we're barely clinging to a playoff spot among stout competition. He comes back and he puts us over the edge, in my opinion. Plus, he has experience in the playoffs.

Other players can be moved or sat for the playoffs, I don't care at this point. It's a good problem to have as others have mentioned.


I agree with what you say. And yet disagree with what you say.

His great value along with having Boll, Tropp, Comeau, Skille, etc is that depth can help weather injuries, tired legs from compressed March schedule.

His playoff performance/experience is kinda meh to me. He wasn't great by any means in New York. And he's older now. If you could get a good return (big if) then that would fall in line with the building for the future theme.

The question is: How would a move that that (future) be perceived by the fans/players who want to win now. That's important too...

Still a lot of hockey to be played before that decision (6 games I believe). We'll see.

 

[bizzz*]

Arty (Anisimov) does seem to escape critical assessment while the young guys get questioned every game they play....

In my opinion, Arty should get benched a game... he's done little of late simply because we are not in shootouts much... (why is this head coach?)


Did Anisimov even play tonight? I can't recall Rimer calling his name once???

His thoughts might be back to mother Russia. Olympics are coming, the best on the best in the world. That also could be a reason for LA struggles. Half of their team are Olympians. The Jackets are lucky JMFJ wasn't invited.

 

[Cash for Nash]

Really? Or do we just go with lots of scratches and insane depth into the playoffs? I have no problem with shutting down Boll for the year, though I think there's hard decisions with Skille, Comeau and Tropp. If the playoffs start with us at full health, I'd roll with:

Jenner- Johansen - Horton
Foligno- Anisimov - Gaborik
Calvert/Umberger - Dubinsky - Atkinson
Mackenzie - Letestu - Tropp/Comeau

Tyutin - Johnson
Wisniewski - Murray
Nikitin - Goloubef
Savard

Skille deserves a shot (he has the best G/60 on the team), but we don't have a spot for him and he'll likely go somewhere as a UFA this summer where he can play. Of course, injuries...

Great points. Don't disagree.

My question to you?

How comfortable are you with our defenseman? What if that depth was parlayed just a bit with some other assets (picks?) for a really good defenseman. I don't really like the way we're playing in front of Bob this year.

 

[Robert]

His thoughts might be back to mother Russia. Olympics are coming, the best on the best in the world. That also could be a reason for LA struggles. Half of their team are Olympians. The Jackets are lucky JMFJ wasn't invited.

I hear you.... and I hope you're wrong.... we pay their Mortgage not the Olympic Committee’s... These NHL professionals better understand that.

 

[major major]

Great points. Don't disagree.

My question to you?

How comfortable are you with our defenseman? What if that depth was parlayed just a bit with some other assets (picks?) for a really good defenseman. I don't really like the way we're playing in front of Bob this year.

If its a real #1 Giordano kind of guy, then it makes sense, otherwise we've got more than enough middle pair guys. And I actually want to point out, as always with this group of defencemen, that kids like Murray and Goloubef are more reliable than JJ and Wiz. So adding a middle pair veteran that bumps down Golo might not make us better at all.

 

[Cash for Nash]

If its a real #1 Giordano kind of guy, then it makes sense, otherwise we've got more than enough middle pair guys. And I actually want to point out, as always with this group of defencemen, that kids like Murray and Goloubef are more reliable than JJ and Wiz. So adding a middle pair veteran that bumps down Golo might not make us better at all.

I agree again. What if its a name like Matt Greene (LAK)? Warhorse shutdown type.

 

[major major]

I agree again. What if its a name like Matt Greene (LAK)? Warhorse shutdown type.

Well we're not lacking in muscle, and I'm not sure if Greene's decision making is an improvement on someone like Nikitin. I honestly don't know how comfortable I am with our defence. We watch these guys crack under heavy forecheck, but there aren't that many defenders around the league that can consistently control the puck in the face of a strong forecheck. If we want one of them it will be very expensive, but there's no point in paying for anything less.

 

[Cash for Nash]

Well we're not lacking in muscle, and I'm not sure if Greene's decision making is an improvement on someone like Nikitin. I honestly don't know how comfortable I am with our defence. We watch these guys crack under heavy forecheck, but there aren't that many defenders around the league that can consistently control the puck in the face of a strong forecheck. If we want one of them it will be very expensive, but there's no point in paying for anything less.

Ok. This will be interesting to see how it plays out. I think we make a move for a Dman. Just wonder how big a play we'll try to make....

 

[CBJfan4evr]

Mixing it up eh Brass... I see NO reason for Boll or Comeau to bump others... NONE...

Gabby for the playoffs yes, then dump him.

My thinking exactly...

 

[Cash for Nash]

Well we're not lacking in muscle, and I'm not sure if Greene's decision making is an improvement on someone like Nikitin. I honestly don't know how comfortable I am with our defence. We watch these guys crack under heavy forecheck, but there aren't that many defenders around the league that can consistently control the puck in the face of a strong forecheck. If we want one of them it will be very expensive, but there's no point in paying for anything less.

I got one more name for some chew.

Dan Girardi. T

The Rangers scouts were in the house tonight. Maybe they'll keep Callahan and let Girardi walk. Would he be big enough of a splash? Could you imagine an divisional deal like that being done? Hell we did 2 last year knowing we'd be in the same division.

 

[CBJfan4evr]

I think it doesn't need to be a bad message, if the message is that the team is playing so well together and Gaborik just doesn't fit the identity. I think the team would be fine without Gaborik.

Gaborik functions as a rental IMHO

 

[EDM]

I just read the last page of this thread and my assessment is that we won despite not playing well. Not going to get into imaginary trades in a game thread.

 

[major major]

I got one more name for some chew.

Dan Girardi. T

The Rangers scouts were in the house tonight. Maybe they'll keep Callahan and let Girardi walk. Would he be big enough of a splash? Could you imagine an divisional deal like that being done? Hell we did 2 last year knowing we'd be in the same division.

The only reason I don't go there is that I just can't imagine the Rangers letting Girardi go.

 

[Cash for Nash]

I just read the last page of this thread and my assessment is that we won despite not playing well. Not going to get into imaginary trades in a game thread.

You're right on both counts. These topics have some synergy though

 

[EDM]

Cam has 17 goals with 27 games to play. So he is on a pace to score 25+. Yes, he has bad nights. But I don't understand the yapping against him.