Player Discussion: Mathieu Olivier

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I don't think Olivier returning means any of those things.

Foudy, and Bemstrom are under contract. They'll just get waived if they aren't in the top 13/14. Sillinger will need a strong offseason/camp. Danforth will have to continue to prove himself (he is good). Robinson is under contract and will have to prove himself also.

Bemstrom is perhaps unlikely to be in the top 13/14 but a couple injuries later and he could be in the starting lineup in mid October and play 70 games. Every year there are players that are in their mid twenties or later who make the NHL after being waiver fodder at some point.

I'm not sure there will be much intentional thinning of the herd this summer. I think they might just go into camp and see what happens. Perhaps a body or two will get moved then if there are no injuries. We were having the same conversation last year about the glut and the whole org ended up running out of players!

We had the same “too many guys” discussions last offseason. Can’t fault us I guess for wanting clarity and maybe achieving that clarity by also getting a singular higher-caliber player in the process.

But just because we can’t sort it out now doesn’t mean it has to be sorted out.

 

[NotWendell]

I'm glad for it. If you're asking why, you've forgotten all the liberties taken against our forwards two seasons ago.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Thinking Robinson is on the way out, out of the regulars. I'm not counting Foudy or Bemstrom, they're gone regardless of this signing

I’m with you. Two of those three will be traded, waived or sent to Cleveland if they clear waivers. Robby would be the least apt to clear waivers.

 

[Doggy]

Like the deal and the player. It might have been just a play or two but he really impressed me. This guy can actually play hockey, he is not just a meathead fighter. If he keeps improving I could see him climbing up to third line (or even higher :O).

Whoa Nellie pump the brakes, I am an Olivier fan but higher than third line?

 

[anotherlurker]

Whoa Nellie pump the brakes, I am an Olivier fan but higher than third line?

I'm thinking of a situation where half the team is injured and they try him for a game or two as a top6 tough guy and if that ever happens I will take all the credit for predicting that first.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

Whoa Nellie pump the brakes, I am an Olivier fan but higher than third line?

there is nothing wrong at all with him being a fourth liner! he's a good fourth liner!

vegas and florida both had guys at the bottom of their lineups who would look very out-of-place in a top six role, and those guys provided a ton of value. having third line type guys on the fourth line doesn't create as much excess value as people think. fit for the role supersedes talent at the margins of the lineup.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

He's a 4th liner and he knows his role. Good teams have people who fill roles and meet needs. I'm good with this signing as long as they don't try to force him higher in the lineup.

 

[Finner]

Meh but okay then

 

[JacketsDavid]

He's a 4th liner and he knows his role. Good teams have people who fill roles and meet needs. I'm good with this signing as long as they don't try to force him higher in the lineup.

That's exactly it.
We need the gritty guys, guys that don't need 12 minutes a night. Likely in the press box a few times.

I'm not crazy about a 2 year deal, but he plays the right way and even as a 12/13/14 forward he understands his role.

 

[Doggy]

there is nothing wrong at all with him being a fourth liner! he's a good fourth liner!

vegas and florida both had guys at the bottom of their lineups who would look very out-of-place in a top six role, and those guys provided a ton of value. having third line type guys on the fourth line doesn't create as much excess value as people think. fit for the role supersedes talent at the margins of the lineup.

When did I say there was anything wrong with him being a fourth liner? I happen to agree he is a good fourth liner. In fact, I suspect he is working his tail off this off-season (because that's the kind of guy he is) and interested to see how his game has improved.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

When did I say there was anything wrong with him being a fourth liner? I happen to agree he is a good fourth liner. In fact, I suspect he is working his tail off this off-season (because that's the kind of guy he is) and interested to see how his game has improved.

the exclamation marks were me agreeing with you!

 

[koteka]

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Fight made him worth the contract

 

[majormajor]

Someone posted this in Bucci's comments.

Warning: blood. Lots of it.

 

[stevo61]

Someone posted this in Bucci's comments.

Warning: blood. Lots of it.

I looked up all his fights wjen we signed him and enjoyed that one. Although those jerseys look like they belong on a table of an old school diner

 

[majormajor]

Although those jerseys look like they belong on a table of an old school diner

My hands feel sticky just looking at them.

 

[koteka]

 

[CBJWerenski8]

He’s been one of the best players this year.

Which shows why our record is what it is. But that’s not his fault.

I hope Waddell considers keeping him (and Danforth) going forward.

 

[AnonCommentary]

He’s been one of the best players this year.

Which shows why our record is what it is. But that’s not his fault.

I hope Waddell considers keeping him (and Danforth) going forward.

Don did mention Olivier (and Monahan) by name when talking about veterans to supplement our younger players to show them how to be professionals. This was in his pre-game interview last night.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Olivier is a flat out badass who brings that old time element to the game that is way too lacking IMO.

Is he the best fighter in the game now? If not, who is?

 

[Doggy]

The title of this thread is confusing...time to change it. I saw the thread title and thought...Waddell had re-extended Ollie for two more years.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

The title of this thread is confusing...time to change it. I saw the thread title and thought...Waddell had re-extended Ollie for two more years.

Done - good call

 

[CBJWerenski8]

By the sounds of it, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell doesn’t want Olivier to reach the end of the season without a new contract. Waddell wouldn’t go name by name through the list of Blue Jackets who are pending UFAs — there are nine — but he did make it clear that he sees Olivier as a keeper.

In fact, Waddell said, they’ve already head initial conversations with Olivier’s agent, Philippe Lecavalier, toward a new contract.

“They’re ready to talk when we are, so we’re going to get after here pretty soon,” Waddell said.

As for Olivier?

“As a player, you’re aware of it, but the challenge is to stay within the day-to-day aspect of it,” Olivier said. “Right now, I’m focused on being a Blue Jacket and really making this work here. I want to keep this going, and I want to stay a Blue Jacket.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Athletic article regarding Olivier is interesting. Brief Summary:

1) Oliver isn't surprised at his offensive output.

2) Aspires to be Tom Wilson-type of player. Says much work to do to attain that goal.

3) Is probably in line for a significant pay increase.