Earlier in the season, I provided a first quarter assessment of the Columbus Blue Jackets. That was a quite easy task as the Blue Jackets stormed out of the gate to a franchise best 14-6-0 record. But ever since the Jackets’ historic start, they have gone 6-11-3 through the next 20 games and have fallen to 13th in the Western Conference I tried to be optimistic that a … [Read more...] about Columbus Blue Jackets 2nd QTR Report Card
cbj
Patience in Columbus Wearing Thin as Blue Jackets Swoon Continues
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in full-blown “December Swoon” mode, having gone 3-9-3 since their historic 14-6-0 start. While this is taking place once again, Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson is continually preaching the same themes: “Patience” “The fix is from within” “I believe in this team” “We have an entire new coaching staff” (in response to criticism … [Read more...] about Patience in Columbus Wearing Thin as Blue Jackets Swoon Continues
Columbus Blue Jackets Fans get Finger from NHL Referee?
Did a NHL referee give a one-finger salute to fans of the Columbus Blue Jackets the other night? Possibly. Possibly not. Well, I've certainly learned in recent weeks about how to take criticism; never stoop down to your detractors' level. I hope the official knows this as well. From The Last Angry Sports Fan: … [Read more...] about Columbus Blue Jackets Fans get Finger from NHL Referee?
Columbus Blue Jackets: How to Guide to Stopping the Swoon
During the 2009-2010 regular season, the Columbus Blue Jackets opened the season with a franchise-best record of 12-6-2. However, what followed was a horrible 3-14-7 tailspin which not only took the Blue Jackets out of any chance of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs, but it also cost their head coach, Ken Hitchcock, his job. After last season’s terrific start, the next … [Read more...] about Columbus Blue Jackets: How to Guide to Stopping the Swoon
From Russia with Loathe: What will Blue Jackets do with Filatov?
Towards the beginning of the 2009-10 season, I wrote an article which assessed Nikita Filatov's departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets only 19 games into the season: While Filatov hasn't defected back to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and while Filatov's issues don't stem from a coach who isn't known for being open-minded and patient with younger players, once again … [Read more...] about From Russia with Loathe: What will Blue Jackets do with Filatov?
Is it time for the Blue Jackets to Bench Steve Mason?
At the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, I wrote an article which asked whether Steve Mason's contract extension, particularly coming off of a horrid season—known also as the sophomore jinx—was good or bad Well, after another dreadful Mason performance, one in which he was blistered early and often by the upstart Edmonton Oilers, it now begs another question: Is it … [Read more...] about Is it time for the Blue Jackets to Bench Steve Mason?
Columbus Blue Jackets Unfortunately Reverting Back to Familiar Form
Grading Blue Jackets Coach Scott Arniel
During the offseason, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson, after being informed that his leading head coaching candidate, Guy Boucher, turned down his offer to coach the Blue Jackets (Boucher took the Tampa Bay Lightning head coaching position, instead) offered the position to Scott Arniel, previously an assistant to Lindy Ruff with the Buffalo Sabres and the … [Read more...] about Grading Blue Jackets Coach Scott Arniel
Columbus Blue Jackets 1st Qtr. Report Card
At this time last season, the Blue Jackets were beginning to show chinks in their competitive armor, even while bolting out to a 12-6-2 record. What followed after that was a free fall of epic proportions: A dizzying 3-14-7 debacle, one which lead to the firing of their head coach, Ken Hitchcock, and the team finishing 14th out of 15 teams in the NHL's Western … [Read more...] about Columbus Blue Jackets 1st Qtr. Report Card