Stepping back and looking at the way forward...

[JacketsDavid]

Just my opinion but drafting has never been the issue - development of the draft picks was the issue. Now keep in mind I usually focus on the first round. But seems like every pick in first round except Zherdev and Pascal were pretty well by the book (took best player available or at least didn't reach). Zherdev we all know the stories that IDWT wanted to get his Gaborik and went after the guy with most upside. Pascal was a surprise just because we didn't really have a need at goalie.
But apart from those 2 every other pick was solid according to what most expected.
The problem was we had no idea how to develop players. Outside of Nash (who was so physically big and honestly such a natural offensive player) and Zherdev (and Zherdev was good his first 2 years) no one blossomed. IDWT liked to play the kids and maybe it was lack of leadership on the team, maybe lack of coaching (exception in my mind was Hitch that got more out of Nash that anyone else), maybe lack of talent around them, maybe just the overall country club atmosphere. But for whatever reason once the CBJ got a hold of a young 1st round prospect it rarely worked out well for a long time. Jake still kills me because he went to Philly, met up with Jagr and blossomed.
I'm still not sure if drafting and development are strengths of the CBJ - but we've always been solid at drafting (still waiting on a great player to come out of later rounds but that is not unusual) and development is getting better, I think.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

My problem is I did a half season this year, I'm die hard but it's even hard for me to get up for a Tuesday game against Phoenix...or going 41 times. I would do another half season if they let me pick exactly the 21 games I want, but they don't, they make me take 2 pre-season games that I wouldn't even go to, and then they slot the games and make you pick several from each pool. So I end up buying another 5 games or so just so I can get all the weekend and big games. If I'm willing to drop $8000 for a half season for 3 tickets, I think I should be able to pick any games I want. But this is a conversation I've had with my ticket rep and it's a waste of breath....

I'm still holding out hope for a run, I see all the games in hand still and can't give up yet...I'm a glutten for punishment

I'm left dumbfounded by this policy.

The team might be selling 12,000 tickets a game so there is plenty of excess capacity. Club sections are half empty (or more) on week nights most of the time. To not give someone willing to part with major bucks an option to choose all of their games is just shooting oneself in the foot.

 

[pete goegan]

Obviously the worst move in franchise history was acquiring the turd known as Sergei Fedorov for Francois Beauchemin.

Nice to see you again, pub, your consistency is inspiring!

How are the little ones?

 

[thebus2288*]

As the team continues to "build" towards the "way forward", I really question where you guys see the relationship between Wisniewski and the team going forward.

Most of you seem to believe that we're at least a few years away from being a "true contender" or at least a regular playoff team. Or whenever Wennberg turns into whatever he's supposed to turn into. Wouldn't it make sense to get some value out of him while he still HAS value? Or do you just see him walking after his current contract is up? Or god forbid actually attempt to resign him?

If all our other tweeners(aka valuable members to the hockey team) are plateaued at age 26 I don't see how he SHOULDN'T be looked at to be moved in our current organizational position.

Foligno at 5.5?!? Anisimov and 5 million dollars in the same sentence?!? Tweener king Letestu might want 3?? Oh the humanity!! These contracts could cripple the franchise for the rest of existence!! They don't help the PP at all!

 

[ca5150]

I'm left dumbfounded by this policy.

The team might be selling 12,000 tickets a game so there is plenty of excess capacity. Club sections are half empty (or more) on week nights most of the time. To not give someone willing to part with major bucks an option to choose all of their games is just shooting oneself in the foot.

I agree, that's what I told my rep too and I do have club seats so it's tough dropping $250 a game on tickets to watch a losing team...oh well, I bet they lose 2000 season ticket holders from the all-star game effect next year...

 

[EdwardG]

Same story every year... Team needs more top-end talent. There's Johansen, a legit stud, but then our next best player is probably the 6th best player on the better teams.

I really don't understand why the Jackets seem to always give out big contracts to non-elite talent when a guy's value is at its peak. Buy high and sell low seems to be the pattern. They gave out a big 6 year deal to 28yr old Dubinsky. He's 28. I like the guy, but good grief. Umby has a career year and they give out a big deal that they then have to unload by taking on an even worse contract. I hope I'm wrong, but I think Foligno is having a career year, and if that's the case the CBJ jumped aboard at the top of the coaster again. Meanwhile, the Kings sign Gaborik and... sigh... while we get 5 more years of Nathan Horton.

I'm waiting for Ryan Murray to have a great half year next year, sign a big 5 yr extension to be our stud D-man, and then be on the IR for 4 of the 5 years...

 

[WannabeFinn]

Same story every year... Team needs more top-end talent. There's Johansen, a legit stud, but then our next best player is probably the 6th best player on the better teams.

I really don't understand why the Jackets seem to always give out big contracts to non-elite talent when a guy's value is at its peak. Buy high and sell low seems to be the pattern. They gave out a big 6 year deal to 28yr old Dubinsky. He's 28. I like the guy, but good grief. Umby has a career year and they give out a big deal that they then have to unload by taking on an even worse contract. I hope I'm wrong, but I think Foligno is having a career year, and if that's the case the CBJ jumped aboard at the top of the coaster again. Meanwhile, the Kings sign Gaborik and... sigh... while we get 5 more years of Nathan Horton.

I'm waiting for Ryan Murray to have a great half year next year, sign a big 5 yr extension to be our stud D-man, and then be on the IR for 4 of the 5 years...

You're right, 6 years and 5.5/yr for a 27 year old Foligno is not great asset management but 7 years and 4.9/yr for 32 year old Gaborik is something to be envious of.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I agree, that's what I told my rep too and I do have club seats so it's tough dropping $250 a game on tickets to watch a losing team...oh well, I bet they lose 2000 season ticket holders from the all-star game effect next year...

I don't wish the team ill at the box office, but they bring some of it on themselves by not satisfying customers like you.

It's so silly not to just honor your request and ask you to not say anything about it. Even if you did, so what. They'd just have to offer the deal to other half seasoners or change the stupid policy. Selling out more games (which would happen if all packages were allowed to pick all their games), even at the expense of having lower crowds at others, can't be viewed as anything but a positive. More frequent sell outs create a need to purchase tix in advance for the most popular games and give added incentive to those who don't have plans to buy one. I could be wrong on this, but I don't think so.

 

[BluejacketNut]

When I finally couldnt get rid of tickets for my 2nd seat and was planning to go down to 1 seat, they tried to tell me I would have to move to another location because it would leave only 1 seat available in that row, harder for them to sell. My first thought was, "that's your problem, not mine, I have 2 individual seats". So i told them I would be willing to buy half the season of the other seat, they allowed me to do it, but not without a fight. They tried the same thing the following year as well. The continued losing and the fact I had lost complete interest in going to regular season games finally pushed me out after 12 years. But to try and tell me I had to move was BS, i bought 2 individual PSL's, not 1 for 2 seats

 

[blahblah]

You're right, 6 years and 5.5/yr for a 27 year old Foligno is not great asset management but 7 years and 4.9/yr for 32 year old Gaborik is something to be envious of.

Not a great example used by the poster; having said that you decided to emphasize age. Obviously there is far more to player analysis than simply age.

 

[Dr. Fire]

I continue to think that this team is in a position more like the Islanders of the past several years than other teams. Injuries killed the Islanders last season, and with a healthy team, and a few savvy pick-ups, they are a beast this season.

I feel that with a healthy team, and a few key pick-ups (not to mention a good draft) this team could be a force next season.

The Horton saga needs to be concluded as well. I would think that by now, doctors should be able to tell if he will ever be able to play again.

I too, don't get the Cam hate. On the right line with the right players, kid can score. This season makes it tough to judge any of our players.

 

[db2011]

As the team continues to "build" towards the "way forward", I really question where you guys see the relationship between Wisniewski and the team going forward.

Most of you seem to believe that we're at least a few years away from being a "true contender" or at least a regular playoff team. Or whenever Wennberg turns into whatever he's supposed to turn into. Wouldn't it make sense to get some value out of him while he still HAS value? Or do you just see him walking after his current contract is up? Or god forbid actually attempt to resign him?

If all our other tweeners(aka valuable members to the hockey team) are plateaued at age 26 I don't see how he SHOULDN'T be looked at to be moved in our current organizational position.

Foligno at 5.5?!? Anisimov and 5 million dollars in the same sentence?!? Tweener king Letestu might want 3?? Oh the humanity!! These contracts could cripple the franchise for the rest of existence!! They don't help the PP at all!

Jackets will be a playoff team next year, and Wiz will be a part of it.

I don't think it's insane to think about moving him, but he remains more valuable to the team than you think he is.

 

[EspenK]

Jackets will be a playoff team next year, and Wiz will be a part of it.

I know this is a popular belief and one I have held as gospel for most of the season. Now though I think we are a playoff contender but not a sure shot.

Mainly because of the apparent strength of this year's playoff teams in the East. With the possible exception of Boston I don't see any team being weaker next year and even with them I think their core and goaltending will have them contending. Plus Florida should be better. Hopefully we make it but I don't feel confident saying next year we are in.

 

[pete goegan]

I know this is a popular belief and one I have held as gospel for most of the season. Now though I think we are a playoff contender but not a sure shot.

Mainly because of the apparent strength of this year's playoff teams in the East. With the possible exception of Boston I don't see any team being weaker next year and even with them I think their core and goaltending will have them contending. Plus Florida should be better. Hopefully we make it but I don't feel confident saying next year we are in.

I honestly don't know how anyone could feel confident about anything regarding this team.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I honestly don't know how anyone could feel confident about anything regarding this team.

I look at the CBJ like a decent, not great, race horse who has had a really bad race (this entire season).

I'd view this season as a "throw out". There are enough mitigating factors to have made having a good season impossible. A bad start, a decent mid run, but the task of making up all the ground from the bad start wasn't realistic.

Assuming at least decent FA forward is signed/traded for and the bottom 6 is improved, I'll go into next season with the same expectations I had for this season....a playoff spot and maybe a 2nd round appearance.

 

[BluejacketNut]

Here's the thing though, yes this season has been bad because of injuries, but lets not think that injuries wont happen next year because they certainly will. Probably not to the extent of this year, but they will happen. Without improved depth, we could be in the same boat. It also depends if there's any reasoning for the amount of injuries. Many are looking at the S/C coach because off all the abdominal issues we've had. I also think the style of play TR is trying to employ takes a toll on the body, and if you have smaller type players, its going to continue to happen in this bigger player NHL.

I dont see it as Cam hate, but Cam is not right for TR's system. Calvert seems to have a little more of the tenacity then Cam does, Cam is great in the open with space, much why he's done well with Joey and Foligno, but get him in traffic or infront of the net, he's not very effective. Now if we're going to get rid of TR and bring in a higher flying style (which I highly doubt will happen, even if he's gone we're going to get the same style of coach), then he might be better suited

 

[thebus2288*]

I dont see it as Cam hate, but Cam is not right for TR's system. Calvert seems to have a little more of the tenacity then Cam does, Cam is great in the open with space, much why he's done well with Joey and Foligno, but get him in traffic or infront of the net, he's not very effective.

But Wennberg is the next Johansen or Voracek?

If anybody doesn't "fit" the teams system its Wennberg.

 

[TheOllieC]

But Wennberg is the next Johansen or Voracek?

If anybody doesn't "fit" the teams system its Wennberg.

This is just so laughably wrong.

 

[candyman82]

But Wennberg is the next Johansen or Voracek?

If anybody doesn't "fit" the teams system its Wennberg.

Care to elaborate?

 

[pete goegan]

Care to elaborate?

Oh, please, no!!!

 

[cbjfaninmo]

Oh, please, no!!!

 

[BluejacketNut]

Even though people want to keep Wennberg around now that we're out of it, to get the experience, I say send him down. We dont want our top prospect wallowing in filth for the rest of the season, play against comparable players to start developing some offense in him

 

[Nanabijou]

Even though people want to keep Wennberg around now that we're out of it, to get the experience, I say send him down. We dont want our top prospect wallowing in filth for the rest of the season, play against comparable players to start developing some offense in him

I'd like Forsberg to go down. The Falcons have lost their last 5 and a good season there could also head to the toilet if they can't get Dansk out of there. Bring Dansk up here to sit the bench for the next couple of weeks and maybe work on things with Clark in practices. Ride McE as much as possible until Bob is back. If you have to bring Forsberg for the occasional game on a back-to-back, so be it, but let Forsberg experience a playoff run with the Falcons.

 

[db2011]

I know this is a popular belief and one I have held as gospel for most of the season. Now though I think we are a playoff contender but not a sure shot.

Mainly because of the apparent strength of this year's playoff teams in the East. With the possible exception of Boston I don't see any team being weaker next year and even with them I think their core and goaltending will have them contending. Plus Florida should be better. Hopefully we make it but I don't feel confident saying next year we are in.

yeah well hey, I am the guy who said after the Dallas game that these guys had made a believer out of me and that we're going to the playoffs this year so being wrong is something I ain't too shabby at.

But at full strength we're as good as most teams in the East. We even took several down while missing key guys. I know this season has been rough and that can affect perceptions, but this is a strong squad when healthy.

 

[EspenK]

I'd like Forsberg to go down. The Falcons have lost their last 5 and a good season there could also head to the toilet if they can't get Dansk out of there. Bring Dansk up here to sit the bench for the next couple of weeks and maybe work on things with Clark in practices. Ride McE as much as possible until Bob is back. If you have to bring Forsberg for the occasional game on a back-to-back, so be it, but let Forsberg experience a playoff run with the Falcons.

Let him play here and its hello no worse than Hanifin.