Woah, ready to give up on Murray already? He's essentially missed two years of development. If he plays solid positional defense for at least 60 games this season this team will be noticeably better. And he still has a lot of room to grow after this season. Do I think he's going to play Top D quality this year? Probably not, I bet he'll easily be that guy by the time Werenski is on the roster. And I think that's what is most important. If we're still hoping for Murray to take the next step by the time Werenski is coming into the league it's gonna be up to him (Werenski) to take over that 1D role, if he's even capable. I believe he's top pairing capable, not sold on him being the 1D though.
Poll, Can this current roster contend for the Cup
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CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
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I think Washington has the best team in the division outside of the NYR. We're going to be battling PIT, NYI, and PHI for the 3-4 seeds.
Ceff Jarter
Registered Duster
- Aug 6, 2012
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Could very well be. I guess other than NJD, CAR, and PHI the division is going to be close. But I can't bet against Crosby/Malkin and Lundquist
spintheblackcircle
incoming!!!
- Mar 1, 2002
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A team needs great forwards and either a great goalie, or great defense.
Columbus has a top group of forwards and a goalie that has a Vezina. That's a yes to me.
"And unless Ryan Murray turns into that this year we are a few years away."
Basically if he doesn't turn into a 1D this year he won't be, but hoping Werenski will be. At least that's how I took it.
Murray won't magically turn into a 1D over 60 games, but I definitely think within 2-3 years time most around the league will recognize him as a top Dman.
Sdrawkcab321
Registered User
I'm in no way giving up on him. I'm just saying we need a number one guy. And the only guy we have who has that potential is Murray. And unless a miracle happens and he breaks out this year and becomes that, then we are still a few years away.
SuperGenius
For Duty & Humanity!
- Mar 18, 2008
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Some of us think that the problems were more with forwards and puck possession than with defense.
I'm really not convinced the defense needs a huge add. Some of those names would be nice, but it seems pretty clear to me that they're going with the group they have - which, to me, is an endorsement of the defense they have and the development they expect to see.
If you wanted to be more precise, perhaps you were looking for; "Wait, if you don't think he'll be one this year that he'll never be there?". More accurate, less confusing.
Your assumption seems to be that he was thinking that he thinks there some one year make it break it kind of thing. I'll let him speak for that, but I kind of doubt that was his intent.
CBJfan4evr
Registered User
Our fourth line took a hit by loosing Letestu. Guys like him are sorely needed in playoffs. Not sold on Cambell, Chaput. Karlsonn ok but not in that role.
KeithBWhittington
Going North
This group of forwards can compete with anybody, I feel. I don't believe the defenseman are an "out of the second round" group as currently constructed.
Bob can get hot, but his backup can't come in and carry the mail for weeks at a time effectively enough to win games on his own if needed.
I think the ceiling for this team right now is a decent second round showing, another defenseman that can play both ways effectively and can slot realistically in the top four can push them ahead.
Bob can get hot, but his backup can't come in and carry the mail for weeks at a time effectively enough to win games on his own if needed.
I think the ceiling for this team right now is a decent second round showing, another defenseman that can play both ways effectively and can slot realistically in the top four can push them ahead.
WannabeFinn
Beloved One
St. Louis has a fantastic team on paper but they go nowhere in the playoffs. Just keep that in mind. Once you're in the playoffs.. you're in. Anything can happen after that.
Still of the opinion we aren't true Cup contenders. ECF contenders would be a more appropriate label.
Still of the opinion we aren't true Cup contenders. ECF contenders would be a more appropriate label.
What's funny to me is, why not just put that "E" in there? Every other letter is in there, is "BLUE JACKTS" an abbreviation?
The question isn't whether this team is a "contender"- to that I would say no. The question is if they can win it all. To that I say they can. I don't expect it (thankfully) and wouldn't argue it, but once they get in the playoffs, who knows? And I think they'll make the playoffs.
Maybe I'm just being a stickler, but the answer to the OP question is clearly yes.
Guess my opinion may not be welcome here but some people seriously need to temper their expectations a bit. (If you are one of the more reasonable people who said no or not sure, then this post isn’t directed toward you).
I read an article which basically said that Saad would be the difference maker in causing CBJ to become a “dark horse 2015-2016 Stanley Cup contender.†Dark horse or no, I think CBJ fans need to be more realistic about being an apparent contender for the Cup next season.
Saad’s a stud, but it’s not like he won his two Cups single-handedly. During the playoffs this year a number of his teammates had more points than him, including Patrick Sharp, Brad Richards, and Andrew Shaw. He alone won’t be the difference in carrying a team which has only won two playoff games in franchise history all the way to hoisting the Cup next year. (And again, if you are not one of the people who feels this way, then I’m not directing this at you. But I have read a number of posts across the Internet and also articles by professional journalists which make this very claim).
I’m not saying that Saad won’t be an instrumental part of CBJ winning a Cup in the future. Columbus is shaping up to look good for awhile. But this poll is about winning the 2016 Cup, I’m assuming. And generally, teams will need to gain experience in a deep playoff run first before winning the Cup in a later year, like Chicago and Pittsburgh, for example (and a lot of people feel this will apply to Tampa Bay after their run to the finals this year).
Also, DEFENSE is what usually wins championships, so it’s not a good idea to just brush aside Columbus’ current defense issues.
I read an article which basically said that Saad would be the difference maker in causing CBJ to become a “dark horse 2015-2016 Stanley Cup contender.†Dark horse or no, I think CBJ fans need to be more realistic about being an apparent contender for the Cup next season.
Saad’s a stud, but it’s not like he won his two Cups single-handedly. During the playoffs this year a number of his teammates had more points than him, including Patrick Sharp, Brad Richards, and Andrew Shaw. He alone won’t be the difference in carrying a team which has only won two playoff games in franchise history all the way to hoisting the Cup next year. (And again, if you are not one of the people who feels this way, then I’m not directing this at you. But I have read a number of posts across the Internet and also articles by professional journalists which make this very claim).
I’m not saying that Saad won’t be an instrumental part of CBJ winning a Cup in the future. Columbus is shaping up to look good for awhile. But this poll is about winning the 2016 Cup, I’m assuming. And generally, teams will need to gain experience in a deep playoff run first before winning the Cup in a later year, like Chicago and Pittsburgh, for example (and a lot of people feel this will apply to Tampa Bay after their run to the finals this year).
Also, DEFENSE is what usually wins championships, so it’s not a good idea to just brush aside Columbus’ current defense issues.
What does winning "only" 2 playoff games in franchise history have to do with the 2015/16 Columbus Blue Jackets? A good amount of people ("professionals", hf fans, myself) had pretty high hopes or expectations for the 14/15 CBJ. This was just after those 2 playoff wins and just before an absurd amount of injuries to key key players. Saad isn't the "answer". He isn't being asked or expected to be.
Whats the difference between saying the CBJ could win the cup next year or that they will win in the future? The team built right now has just as good of a chance to win it all then they do in the "future". People wanna get hyped up on our prospects and Johansen, but we'd be very lucky for a collective of our prospects to end up as effective as our "veterans"(Dubi, Foligno, Hartnell, JJ, Tyutin). This is without mentioning the often underappreciated Atkinson, Calvert, Savard(and now) Murray. And while its true that generally teams have a deep playoff run before they win it all, it is not a need. While our team might be somewhat lacking in playoff experience, the way the team is built and plays, playoff experience isn't gonna be what gets us over the hump. As has been mentioned, all it takes is to make the playoffs in the NHL. How many "deep runs" that led to future "stanley cup success" were looked at as "not likely"?
Our top 4 of Johnson, Murray, Savard and Tyutin is starting to get really underappreciated. While its true there's no "true 2 way #1" d man, Jack Johnson has offensive abilities that I think can be, and seems to be at this point, very overlooked. Preferably you'd want him paired up with a vastly superior defensive defenseman, but he is a top pairing defenseman. Despite what some may believe, the all around games of both Murray and Savard, are something that many teams would love to have added to their defense. Again, preferably you'd have these guys paired up with 2008 Zdeno Chara, but most teams in the league would be perfectly fine(depth chart/pairing wise) with these guys as a #2 playing in practically any situation. With Tyutin and primarily his above average defensive he fits on just about any teams top 4 and regular pk units. And frankly if/when Connauton struggles, I'd like to see Tyutin get some games on the pp. What we really need is a completely defensively responsible defenseman. He could put up 40 points or 4 and he could have the same impact on the team. We need a guy that can be matched up with 1 of the other 4 guys above on the pk or at the end of every period. It doesn't need to be a 20 min a night guy. It just needs to be better than Leopold/Schultz/Aucoin etc.
SuperGenius
For Duty & Humanity!
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I'm one of the latter, but I read your post anyway. While I'm sure we all appreciate you trying to step in and be The Voice of Reason (tm), I think you must not be reading the posts instead of the poll. So while your opinion is certainly welcome, I'm not entirely sure it's necessary.
Saad isn't the 'key' to anything, IMO. He's a big piece of the puzzle, but that's about it. CBJ fans were equally excited last year as I recall. The reasons being that the core is solid and the development of the younger players has progressed nicely. With or without Saad, the CBJ are eastern contenders, which by default make a cup run possible. I don't seriously believe they're going to hoist anything, but I do believe that if they can stay reasonably healthy they can win a round or two and then who knows what happens. I felt this way before the Saad trade, honestly.
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
Pretty much same here. Things would have to go well for us to hoist the Cup, but "things going well enough" is IMO actually somewhere within the bounds of probability now, as opposed to being too absurd to even consider.
This is a playoff team as is, but not a Cup contender. Until Jarmo gets a top pairing defenseman, we might be lucky to get out of the first round.
Double-Shift Lasse
Just post better
I guess you could say that. I really think they're close and have a good blend of young talent and veteran leadership.
Cyclones Rock
Registered User
- Jun 12, 2008
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The coolest thing is that this franchise can even by mentioned as a possible Cup contender without eliciting scoffs and laughter.
If the regular season unfolds as many of us think is possible, then the level of excitement generated by this team will be unparalleled in Columbus professional sports history.
The post season energy will be unreal given what it was last time when being there was just enough.
If the regular season unfolds as many of us think is possible, then the level of excitement generated by this team will be unparalleled in Columbus professional sports history.
The post season energy will be unreal given what it was last time when being there was just enough.
Just a post or two above your sober analysis, I stated that if the question were whether the CBJ are contenders, the answer is no.
That isn't the question. The OP question is whether they "can lift the cup". That answer can be yes without the answerer having expectations that a more reasoned person would temper.
The playoffs don't fit your book learnin. Just ask the Blues or the Rags or all the fellas that dont shave and don't get paid to throw their bodies around for 3 months.
Well anyway the actual poll question says nothing about being contenders. So an honest answer to the actual poll question, if you think this team can make the playoffs, can only be yes.
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Nanabijou
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