Past the halfway point and only 3 points out

[MattTheMask]

Apologies for singling you out. That phrase, not your specific use of it, bugs me. Implies one opinion is somehow superior to another. Who knows what the hell is realistic with this team? Rant off.

Understand that. Fair enough.

Who knows, that's why opinions are like ..... I will just stop there For me, I don't see this team going 13-4-2 down the stretch, but then again I would have never thought we would be on a 10 game point streak with 2 home games this week. Our current run of 6-0-4 added on to that 13-4-2, would be 19-4-6. That's one heck of a finish.

I would just hate to finish 9th or 10th in the West. That's my biggest fear. No playoffs and no Top 5 pick. Not a good situation. And a situation we have been in way too much here in Columbus unfortunately.

 

[Roadman]

I would just hate to finish 9th or 10th in the West. That's my biggest fear. No playoffs and no Top 5 pick. Not a good situation. And a situation we have been in way too much here in Columbus unfortunately.

Here's my problem with that. It says well then just don't try, because you might not succeed.

I for one would rather cheer for a team that fights and claws and gives their all until the end and then even beyond. If they don't make the playoffs, they don't make the playoffs, but by God they tried.

Take our draft pick and move on.

 

[Timeless Winter]

Here's my problem with that. It says well then just don't try, because you might not succeed.

I for one would rather cheer for a team that fights and claws and gives their all until the end and then even beyond. If they don't make the playoffs, they don't make the playoffs, but by God they tried.

Take our draft pick and move on.

Well that's you. I for one can't remember any of the meaningless wins in previous years that cost us the chance to draft the kind of quality players like Patrick Kane, Stephen Stamkos, Sidney Crosby, Nail Yakupov, Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, and Toews, just to name a few. Do you remember any wins that are worth losing those players?? Honest question.

All those players I listed are better than Brassard, Voracek, Johansen, Filatov, etc.

As much as it hurts, losing is the best thing for the franchise right now. It's just fact, sorry.

 

[Roadman]

Well that's you. I for one can't remember any of the meaningless wins in previous years that cost us the chance to draft the kind of quality players like Patrick Kane, Stephen Stamkos, Sidney Crosby, Nail Yakupov, Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, and Toews, just to name a few. Do you remember any wins that are worth losing those players?? Honest question.

All those players I listed are better than Brassard, Voracek, Johansen, Filatov, etc.

As much as it hurts, losing is the best thing for the franchise right now. It's just fact, sorry.

Losing is never a good thing.

Just a fact, sorry.

 

[Timeless Winter]

That's not true, and I just explained why. You don't want them to lose, no one does, but in the case of this team it's more beneficial long term.

Do you ever want to see this team win a Stanley Cup? They aren't doing it with Johansen and Atkinson as the lone offensive threats, I can tell you that. This team needs talent, and a lot of it. That can be found with a top pick.

 

[Fred Glover]

That's not true, and I just explained why. You don't want them to lose, no one does, but in the case of this team it's more beneficial long term.

Do you ever want to see this team win a Stanley Cup? They aren't doing it with Johansen and Atkinson as the lone offensive threats, I can tell you that. This team needs talent, and a lot of it. That can be found with a top pick.

Explain how you would make this happen. Do you play Mason exclusively? Bench or trade BOB? How do you tank a season when you are just a few points out of a playoff spot? Tell the players not to play hard? Tell them that even though they are competitors, you don't want then to compete?

I agree with you that two offensive threats won't cut it, but how do you get the #1-3 pick when you have players who all they know how to do it compete?

I will say this, though, with the schedule we have in April, this may all be a moot point. This April road trip will be a killer, and will likely define whether this team gets a high pick, or makes the playoffs

 

[Timeless Winter]

Explain how you would make this happen. Do you play Mason exclusively? Bench or trade BOB? How do you tank a season when you are just a few points out of a playoff spot? Tell the players not to play hard? Tell them that even though they are competitors, you don't want then to compete?

I agree with you that two offensive threats won't cut it, but how do you get the #1-3 pick when you have players who all they know how to do it compete?

I will say this, though, with the schedule we have in April, this may all be a moot point. This April road trip will be a killer, and will likely define whether this team gets a high pick, or makes the playoffs

No, that's not what I'm saying. I want them to win, but it's best if they lose, obviously they won't lose on purpose.

The best way to get the talent we need is to get a top 3 pick, the team doesn't care about that, of course, but we should.

 

[Fred Glover]

No, that's not what I'm saying. I want them to win, but it's best if they lose, obviously they won't lose on purpose.

The best way to get the talent we need is to get a top 3 pick, the team doesn't care about that, of course, but we should.

I hear what you are saying, no problem.

Why don't we just leave it all up to Jarmo and call it a night?

 

[Timeless Winter]

I hear what you are saying, no problem.

Why don't we just leave it all up to Jarmo and call it a night?

I will, but I don't understand how Roadman thinks, it's quite dumbfounding. You won't win a Cup with this team, and he doesn't understand you need talent. We need the picks even if winning seems fun right now. But he also thought Howson was a good GM.

 

[SuperGenius]

That's not true, and I just explained why. You don't want them to lose, no one does, but in the case of this team it's more beneficial long term.

Do you ever want to see this team win a Stanley Cup? They aren't doing it with Johansen and Atkinson as the lone offensive threats, I can tell you that. This team needs talent, and a lot of it. That can be found with a top pick.

There can be crappy picks all over the draft. What this team needs is a system, culture and the people in charge to minimize the chance of failure, not a golden boy who is supposed to swoop in and save the day.

IMO, there is way too much handwringing over which pick the CBJ end up with. There is no quick fix, and we do not need another Nash type. Perhaps the development system can get to the point where the CBJ can shape the players they draft rather than expect finished products that may or may not really fit.

In the meantime, it's ok to have some fun watching the grinders have some unexpected, but hard earned success.

 

[Roadman]

That's not true, and I just explained why. You don't want them to lose, no one does, but in the case of this team it's more beneficial long term.

Do you ever want to see this team win a Stanley Cup? They aren't doing it with Johansen and Atkinson as the lone offensive threats, I can tell you that. This team needs talent, and a lot of it. That can be found with a top pick.

It can be found any where in the draft but most usually in the first round. And yes I know the higher you go the better the odds.

There has been so much *****ing that this team doesn't win enough, so they win and you ***** about their winning because it doesn't fit with your vision of how to build a team. Cup winners have been built without the top of the heap draft picks. Solid first round picks, and successful development, and time for it to happen will do the job. No top pick alone this year is going to do it. There are no saviors. A solid winning attitude will do a lot to ensure the ongoing success than any single pick.

 

[Timeless Winter]

There can be crappy picks all over the draft. What this team needs is a system, culture and the people in charge to minimize the chance of failure, not a golden boy who is supposed to swoop in and save the day.

IMO, there is way too much handwringing over which pick the CBJ end up with. There is no quick fix, and we do not need another Nash type. Perhaps the development system can get to the point where the CBJ can shape the players they draft rather than expect finished products that may or may not really fit.

In the meantime, it's ok to have some fun watching the grinders have some unexpected, but hard earned success.

It's not really about a golden boy to save the day. It's about a really really good player added to that system, culture, etc. that you're talking about. You minimize the chance of failure the higher you draft. It's about added a significant piece to what we have, not changing what's here now.

 

[Dednimnepo]

1. You want your team to work hard and fight for the win no matter the score or the record or the opponent every minute of every game.
2. You want your team to have the talent, skill and coaching to be able to win more than they lose and hopefully to win enough to have a shot at winning it all.
3. You want your team to believe in themselves, to support each other and to be humbled by the opportunity to be doing what they love.
4. You want your team in the face of adversity and losses to lean that much harder on the above three points.
5. And if and only if you have all of the above, you want your team to not just kinda suck but to somehow plummet to the bottom so they can get better through drafting a possible star.

Having a team that is comfortable with losing negates the benefit of all but the greatest of players.

 

[Roadman]

It's not really about a golden boy to save the day. It's about a really really good player added to that system, culture, etc. that you're talking about. You minimize the chance of failure the higher you draft. It's about added a significant piece to what we have, not changing what's here now.

But not at the cost you suggest .

 

[SuperGenius]

It's not really about a golden boy to save the day. It's about a really really good player added to that system, culture, etc. that you're talking about. You minimize the chance of failure the higher you draft. It's about added a significant piece to what we have, not changing what's here now.

I understand, I just happen to believe that good players can be had from any position in the draft if your scouts, GM and overall organization are on the same page. For all the fantastic top picks, there are plenty of turds in there too. I say play to win, find the gems if you have to and build with what you can get rather than pin your hopes on top 5 or bust.

 

[Robert]

That's not true, and I just explained why. You don't want them to lose, no one does, but in the case of this team it's more beneficial long term.

Do you ever want to see this team win a Stanley Cup? They aren't doing it with Johansen and Atkinson as the lone offensive threats, I can tell you that. This team needs talent, and a lot of it. That can be found with a top pick.

I dunno... The last I checked Edmonton has drafted #1 three seasons in a row and are still far from winning the cup.... It's not the draft slot, it's the players that are drafted in the slot given.. I think the people who choose the player are more important than the number they are given to pick...

 

[EspenK]

I dunno... The last I checked Edmonton has drafted #1 three seasons in a row and are still far from winning the cup.... It's not the draft slot, it's the players that are drafted in the slot given.. I think the people who choose the player are more important than the number they are given to pick...

I'm so glad that we couldn't draft Hall or Seguin, or RNH or Yakupov. It would have destroyed the no goal culture that has brought us this far.

Not picking on you in particular but for all those who say drafting in the top 3 or 4 isn't a lot better than 8th or wherever are just wrong.
True you can find good players throughout but as far as I can tell your odds are a heck of a lot better at the top.

 

[Robert]

I'm so glad that we couldn't draft Hall or Seguin, or RNH or Yakupov. It would have destroyed the no goal culture that has brought us this far.

Not picking on you in particular but for all those who say drafting in the top 3 or 4 isn't a lot better than 8th or wherever are just wrong.
True you can find good players throughout but as far as I can tell your odds are a heck of a lot better at the top.

I hear you.... but I'll try again, how may times have the N.J. Devils drafted #1 overall? Or the LA Kings, or the Canes, or the Bolts prior to winning their Cups.... or, or, or....

Winning in the NHL, in general, is more about the organization than the #1 draft pick... Not saying top draft picks are not important but they are not the only way to win a Stanley Cup...

 

[EspenK]

I hear you.... but I'll try again, how may times have the N.J. Devils drafted #1 overall? Or the LA Kings, or the Canes, or the Bolts prior to winning their Cups.... or, or, or....

Winning in the NHL, in general, is more about the organization than the #1 draft pick... Not saying top draft picks are not important but they are not the only way to win a Stanley Cup...

I agree but a Mackinnon, Drouin, Barkov could make a big difference in building some offense.

 

[Robert]

I agree but a Mackinnon, Drouin, Barkov could make a big difference in building some offense.

Yep, in 2016..... I'll be dead by then....

 

[thebus2288*]

Jesus I thought this was gonna be mostly positive comments. Couple things I wanna point out... Even without 1 very good offensive player/ELITE goalscorer this is pretty easily the best team we've ever had when it comes to offensive skill. We have just as many "top line" and "top 6" guys as MOST teams in the conference. Don't forget this group of guys really hasn't played that long together. We're also actually pretty deep, and unlike the past, this "depth" isnt led by 4th liners. Matt Calvert is NOT a younger version of Derek Mackenzie...not sure what the dude has to do for some of you guys to believe he can put points up in this league.

When it comes to playoffs this year I have no clue why you guys are comin up with all these percentages n shi/t. No point at all. We're 2 games back, and the momentum i'm sure this streak has given the team, its almost as if theres no streak at all. Its pretty simple...win games, hope some teams win, some others lose and NO 3 POINT GAMES. With the short season and the intra-conference games its pretty crazy just how important each game really is compared to other years. I'd say about 264% more critical.

+Chicago, Minnesota, Anaheim, Edmonton, Colorado, St Louis
-San Jose, Phoenix, Vancouver, Detroit, Dallas, Nashville, LA, Calgary

 

[Crede777]

The problem isnt in how Columbus is playing. It is in how Florida, Washington, Buffalo, Colorado, and Edmonton are playing. Holy crap are they bad. If I didn't know better, I would say they are doing it on purpose.

 

[MattTheMask]

We have just as many "top line" and "top 6" guys as MOST teams in the conference.

Really?? For starters, we don't even have a #1 center. And a lot of guys are actually playing a line up. We have only scored 21 goals in this 10 game point streak. What does that tell you? We don't have as many legitimate top 6 players as others in the conference. I really wish I could say we do, but we don't.

When it comes to playoffs this year I have no clue why you guys are comin up with all these percentages n shi/t. No point at all.

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Central/Columbus.html

 

[EspenK]

Jesus I thought this was gonna be mostly positive comments. Couple things I wanna point out... Even without 1 very good offensive player/ELITE goalscorer this is pretty easily the best team we've ever had when it comes to offensive skill. We have just as many "top line" and "top 6" guys as MOST teams in the conference. Don't forget this group of guys really hasn't played that long together. We're also actually pretty deep, and unlike the past, this "depth" isnt led by 4th liners. Matt Calvert is NOT a younger version of Derek Mackenzie...not sure what the dude has to do for some of you guys to believe he can put points up in this league.

1- having the best offensive team we have ever had wouldn't be hard, but this year is not the year for that;

2- I would be hard pressed to name guys who would be sure shot top 6 forwards on a good team. Some of the crappy ones, well,like us you have to put some one up there

3- I'd say our depth is led by a group of 2nd/3rd/4th liners with an emphasis on third.

4-for me to believe Matt Calvert can put up (lots of) points in this league he just has to do it for a season. Same with Joey, CAM, Arty, Dubi,Brass, Umbie, JJ, you get the point. Some of the guys have to re-prove others are still waiting.

 

[CAMSANITY]

Winning breeds an air of confidence and that is exactly what this team/fan base has needed. You can pick up offense in free agency and you know how you get good players to come to your team (other than money/drafting) by WINNING. Good players want to play on winning teams, so I say keep winning. We have three draft picks and a GM capable of drafting very well. This is a deep draft and we will make some good picks that will fit our team. Yes, we don't score a ton of goals but not every team is going to set the world on fire and those that do usually don't have the defense that we have. Not saying we have an all-world defense, but it is pretty solid and should only get better.

The current locker room is the strongest we have ever had I would say and the guys seem to be buying in on Richards system. I remember the atomosphere at the first playoff game and have been waiting for that to happen again. Let's keep winning and establish a winning brand.