The Blue Jackets Pysche

[EspenK]

After last night's debacle, rumors of shopping Wiz, Arty and Cam no attempt being made to re-sign Letestu, Forsberg not ready for prime time, the injury toll and whatever else I have forgotten I wonder how much longer can the Jackets hold it together?

Sooner or later the team has to realize the season is lost and that point is getting perilously close,if not here already. Another loss or two in the next 4 or 5 games and it will be essentially over.

Given that the Jackets success comes from hard nosed physical play emphasizing the forecheck can they summon the inner strength to put forth the effort needed to win some games and finish the season on a positive note?

Come next Tuesday, if the Jackets are actual sellers I think the message from the front office will be clear. Sorry guys, we understand that there were a lot of injuries this season but we don't think the guys we shipped out are SC team material nor do we think this team as constructed can contend any time soon. Final nail in the coffin for the 2014-15 season.

I expect a lot of you will come forth and say that these guys are professionals and players like Dubi and JJ and Foligno won't allow the team to quit. But the players are also human and sooner or later all the stuff that has, and might still happen will take a toll. I'd like to think that the team hangs in there but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if that's not what happens.

What do you think?

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[MAHJ71]

After last night's debacle, rumors of shopping Wiz, Arty and Cam no attempt being made to re-sign Letestu, Forsberg not ready for prime time, the injury toll and whatever else I have forgotten I wonder how much longer can the Jackets hold it together?

Sooner or later the team has to realize the season is lost and that point is getting perilously close,if not here already. Another loss or two in the next 4 or 5 games and it will be essentially over.

Given that the Jackets success comes from hard nosed physical play emphasizing the forecheck can they summon the inner strength to put forth the effort needed to win some games and finish the season on a positive note?

Come next Tuesday, if the Jackets are actual sellers I think the message from the front office will be clear. Sorry guys, we understand that there were a lot of injuries this season but we don't think the guys we shipped out are SC team material nor do we think this team as constructed can contend any time soon. Final nail in the coffin for the 2014-15 season.

I expect a lot of you will come forth and say that these guys are professionals and players like Dubi and JJ and Foligno won't allow the team to quit. But the players are also human and sooner or later all the stuff that has, and might still happen will take a toll. I'd like to think that the team hangs in there but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if that's not what happens.

What do you think?

I'd like to see us beat Pitt and Buffalo at the end of the season.. probably because I'm contemplating going.

Other than that my expectations are extremely low and at this point I'm just hoping we can make it to the end without any serious injuries.

 

[BluejacketNut]

The more things change the more they stay the same

 

[niflheim]

Parla con me, mia anima ( sorry, italian) Speak with me, my soul ( a little bit melancholic ). My expectations are high ( as always), Jacket's fan can't be depressed or burned And I have dreams, my first dream - 1 year's Atlantic cruise for HCTR

 

[major major]

I expect a lot of you will come forth and say that these guys are professionals and players like Dubi and JJ and Foligno won't allow the team to quit. But the players are also human and sooner or later all the stuff that has, and might still happen will take a toll. I'd like to think that the team hangs in there but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if that's not what happens.

What do you think?

Pretty much, that is what I'd say. Though I don't see why accepting losing is "human" while winning is "professional". Their human nature is to be competitive and try to win every game.

BINGO!

Again everyone seems happy if we have a team that is average (and again an average NHL team makes the playoffs - 16 of 30 teams get in). I don't think that should be the goal and I hope the frant office is looking ahead and saying ok in 2017 what do we have (things like Ry Jo is 1st line C, some combo of Dubi/Jenner are 2nd/3rd line C so maybe Arty is avail in right deal), not simply saying oh he's a good hockey player we need to hold onto him.

This seems like a false characterization to me. It's hard to gauge the merits of trading Arty when we all have different ideas in mind of what the return might be, but certainly of those who oppose trading him now, there are a diversity of views, many of which are not complacent with mediocrity at all. Some people think Arty will make us better in 2017 than a draft pick will. Some people think the club just needs to age into its prime, and stop constantly getting younger. Some people think Arty maybe should be traded in a year but he still has unmet upside and shouldn't be traded now.

 

[EspenK]

Pretty much, that is what I'd say. Though I don't see why accepting losing is "human" while winning is "professional". Their human nature is to be competitive and try to win every game.

Not sure I agree with this. Not to get political here but look at how society treats people born into poverty. Some have the will, the ability and the breaks to escape; the vast majority are beaten down by the system time and time again until they finally accept their fate. On a much smaller and less important scale I think that is what happens to a team that doesn't get rewarded for its efforts.

 

[blahblah]

There are flashes of the magic we had last year. The players already know that the season is gone; even if they aren't ready to give up quite yet.

The players have to know changes are coming, even if they realize they aren't going to be sweeping. I'm sure they fully expect a bigger name to disappear at the deadline. They know what UFA status means on a non-playoff year. A guy like Letestu realizes that he's in trouble if the front office hasn't been working with his agent.

We'll probably keep AA and move Letestu. Not sure why since Richards loves him. Things are a bit confusing right now, but I expect more clarity between now and the draft.

By confusing I mean, if Richards and Wiz don't get along and they are thinking of moving Wiz - why wouldn't they keep Letestu? The players, at least the smarter ones, are probably looking at the next week to figure things out from a political perspective. As an example, how much power does Richards really have?

 

[JacketsDavid]

This seems like a false characterization to me. It's hard to gauge the merits of trading Arty when we all have different ideas in mind of what the return might be, but certainly of those who oppose trading him now, there are a diversity of views, many of which are not complacent with mediocrity at all. Some people think Arty will make us better in 2017 than a draft pick will. Some people think the club just needs to age into its prime, and stop constantly getting younger. Some people think Arty maybe should be traded in a year but he still has unmet upside and shouldn't be traded now.

When have we every truly committed to the future? Every year we have too many guys on the wrong side of 30. Yes we trade veterans but we end up signed retreads in free agency (or via trade) to replace them.
This franchise has never said "let's play the kids" even in the expansion years. Yes it means we'll get hammered over the next season (maybe two o three). We continually sign enough vets to always make us a 75-85 point team which is exactly the place you don't want to be. Be great (championship winning) or be bad (meaning playing he kids and adding top level draft picks). This team is committed to mediocrity. That is their goal.

The current formula has never worked for this franchise, and no I don't want to be a last place team, but in the end we need that. if not we'll continue to toil in mediocrity until we get lucky and win a draft lottery.

 

[blahblah]

When have we every truly committed to the future? Every year we have too many guys on the wrong side of 30. Yes we trade veterans but we end up signed retreads in free agency (or via trade) to replace them.
This franchise has never said "let's play the kids" even in the expansion years. Yes it means we'll get hammered over the next season (maybe two o three). We continually sign enough vets to always make us a 75-85 point team which is exactly the place you don't want to be. Be great (championship winning) or be bad (meaning playing he kids and adding top level draft picks). This team is committed to mediocrity. That is their goal.

The current formula has never worked for this franchise, and no I don't want to be a last place team, but in the end we need that. if not we'll continue to toil in mediocrity until we get lucky and win a draft lottery.

I think your overall thesis is fairly flawed. Most of our core is under 30 and we have quite a few kids with key roles (Johansen, Murray, Savard, Atkinson, Calvert, Jenner, Wennberg). We also have more youth as role players. If anything I would argue there hasn't been enough veterans on this team the last two seasons.

What in the word are you talking about? Letestu just turned 30 and all you have after that is Hartnell. Tyutin and Wiz are both 31 and Leopold hardly plays. Curtis is 31. I think that's it for the over 30 crowd. The only play acquired over 30 was Hartnell in a trade for an over 30 RJ. We didn't sign a retread. Our last big FA signing was Horton (under 30), before that was Wiz.

 

[major major]

Not sure I agree with this. Not to get political here but look at how society treats people born into poverty. Some have the will, the ability and the breaks to escape; the vast majority are beaten down by the system time and time again until they finally accept their fate. On a much smaller and less important scale I think that is what happens to a team that doesn't get rewarded for its efforts.

Yeah it happens, but I suspect our team generally has a positive view about their abilities and the future. They blame injuries, bad luck, etc.. But we really haven't lost so much that their beaten down. I think they go into each game expecting to win.

 

[thebus2288*]

Step 1: Turn half the team into "elite" players

Step 2: Turn the other half into rookie 1st round picks

Step 3: Stanley Cup

 

[blahblah]

Step 1: Turn half the team into "elite" players

Step 2: Turn the other half into rookie 1st round picks

Step 3: Stanley Cup

Well... It's a plan?

 

[JacketsDavid]

I think your overall thesis is fairly flawed. Most of our core is under 30 and we have quite a few kids with key roles (Johansen, Murray, Savard, Atkinson, Calvert, Jenner, Wennberg). We also have more youth as role players. If anything I would argue there hasn't been enough veterans on this team the last two seasons.

What in the word are you talking about? Letestu just turned 30 and all you have after that is Hartnell. Tyutin and Wiz are both 31 and Leopold hardly plays. Curtis is 31. I think that's it for the over 30 crowd. The only play acquired over 30 was Hartnell in a trade for an over 30 RJ. We didn't sign a retread. Our last big FA signing was Horton (under 30), before that was Wiz.

2011 - Jeff Carter (for some Jake guy), signed Wiz, Prospal. Yeah that was building around youth.
2012 - Gabby

THe commitment to youth and mediocrity lost us two All Stars over a couple years (Jake and Nash) because of toiling around trying to make the playoffs at times.

So I believe in getting elite talent through the draft and then adding high priced vets.

 

[blahblah]

2011 - Jeff Carter (for some Jake guy), signed Wiz, Prospal. Yeah that was building around youth.
2012 - Gabby

THe commitment to youth and mediocrity lost us two All Stars over a couple years (Jake and Nash) because of toiling around trying to make the playoffs at times.

So I believe in getting elite talent through the draft and then adding high priced vets.

You do realize you are babbling on about a past regime and the number of players you are bringing up don't even support your position? Wiz was under 30 when he was signed. The only thing you can bring up is a deadline deal in which we got rid of dead weight? Brassard was expendable because of our center depth and the emergence of Johansen. Both centers acquired in the Nash deal were well under 30 at the time and are a part of our core right now, although AA might be on the move.

The Carter deal hurt, to be sure, but that is the only time we gave up any real assets that I can remember. The back end of that deal netted us JJ; who is currently a big part of our core. Without Wiz and JJ this defense would be garbage; assuming Murray was injured. Your best d-man would be Tyutin with Savard following him up (shudder).

I suppose you could argue Moore, but he's not exactly a loss.

You aren't making much sense here. Your narrative is pretty poor. Hell even the tank and draft high method has had questionable results. I had a great exchange with MB on that topic.

 

[NotWendell]

This is a results-based business. The players know it. If they don't get results, whatever the reasons, changes will be made.

Candidly, I think this is a healthier message than saying "oh well, we had a bunch of injuries. We'll get em next year."

 

[Nanabijou]

Step 1: Turn half the team into "elite" players

Step 2: Turn the other half into rookie 1st round picks

Step 3: Stanley Cup

Sounds legit.

 

[thebus2288*]

Phase. Dammit.

Seriously though that seems to be the "plan" that a lot of people on here think is going to get the CBJ to a Cup.

 

[Robert]

For the most part the OP is emotional.... that said, the CBJ of today are not going far...

Based on HF prospects the Jackets are ranked 10th in the league which is good but my fear is this, with a Euro GM and suspect President are the CBJ building an NHL team or a weak Euro team???

Are the Blue Jackets an NHL team or a European team????? Answers welcomed..

 

[NotWendell]

For the most part the OP is emotional.... that said, the CBJ of today are not going far...

Based on HF prospects the Jackets are ranked 10th in the league which is good but my fear is this, with a Euro GM and suspect President are the CBJ building an NHL team or a weak Euro team???

Are the Blue Jackets an NHL team or a European team????? Answers welcomed..

Right now, we are neither a good NHL team nor a good European team.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

For the most part the OP is emotional.... that said, the CBJ of today are not going far...

Based on HF prospects the Jackets are ranked 10th in the league which is good but my fear is this, with a Euro GM and suspect President are the CBJ building an NHL team or a weak Euro team???

Are the Blue Jackets an NHL team or a European team????? Answers welcomed..

What exactly are those things? Hard to provide answers to a question with a nebulous premise.

 

[NotWendell]

What exactly are those things? Hard to provide answers to a question with a nebulous premise.

Maybe Don Cherry will drop in and shed some light on this?

 

[blahblah]

Maybe Don Cherry will drop in and shed some light on this?

Please.. I don't need an all-caps book..

 

[NotWendell]

Please.. I don't need an all-caps book..

Oh yes you do!

 

[SuperGenius]

Maybe Don Cherry will drop in and shed some light on this?

Please.. I don't need an all-caps book..

Oh yes you do!

I'm ready.

 

[Mayor Bee]

for the most part the op is emotional.... That said, the cbj of today are not going far...

Based on hf prospects the jackets are ranked 10th in the league which is good but my fear is this, with a euro gm and suspect president are the cbj building an nhl team or a weak euro team???

Are the blue jackets an nhl team or a european team????? Answers welcomed..

NHL OR A EUROPEAN TEAM? HOW ABOUT JUST A HOCKEY TEAM? LEMME TELL YA SOMETHING RIGHT HERE. I USED TA GET ON MY KNEES EVERY DAY WHEN I WAS A KID AND PRAY FOR GOD TO MAKE ME A HOCKEY PLAYER. I DIDN'T SAY NHL PLAYER, SO I SPENT 17 YEARS IN THE MINORS.

ANYWAY, I WAS IN SPRINGFIELD WITH EDDIE SHORE, THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS, AND WE HAD PUNCH IMLACH AS OUR COACH. SO WE GOTTA GUY NAMED PUNCH BEHIND THE BENCH, AND A GUY WHO ONCE HAD HIS EAR CUT OFF AND SEWED IT BACK ON HIMSELF BEHIND HIM. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, PUNCH WENT TO TORONTO SO SATAN SHORE MADE GLEN SONMOR THE COACH. SO WE REPLACED A GUY NAMED PUNCH WITH A GUY WHO LOST HIS EYE PLAYING HOCKEY.

SO WE WERE PLAYING IN CLEVELAND AND WE WERE DOWN AFTER THE FIRST PERIOD. GLEN CAME IN AND HE LOOKED AROUND AND SAID THAT WE WERE HORSEBLEEP AND NONE OF US WERE TOUGH ENOUGH TO FIGHT HIM. SO HE TOOK HIS GLASS EYE AND THREW IT DOWN AND SAID THAT YOU HAD TO SACRIFICE TO PLAY HOCKEY AND WE WEREN'T PLAYING LIKE WE WANTED TO BE THERE. WELL, WE WENT OUT THERE AND BEAT THE HELL OUT OF CLEVELAND. WE WON EVERY SINGLE FIGHT, BUT THEY STILL BEAT US 15-4.

YOU KNOW WHY WE BEAT THEM AND THEY BEAT US? NO EUROS ON EITHER TEAM. NO HELMETS, NO VISORS, NO FRENCHIES. JUST A LOTTA GOOD OL' CANADIAN BOYS WHO DIDN'T SPEAK THAT YABBA DABBA DOO LANGUAGE, JUST THE LANGUAGE OF HOCKEY THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYED. REAL HOCKEY IS LIKE GOOD COUNTRY MUSIC: IT ISN'T GOOD UNLESS IT INVOLVES YOUR FISTS.[/CherryMode]