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columbus blue jackets

Grading Blue Jackets Coach Scott Arniel

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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

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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

Detroit and Columbus Give Blackhawks two Divisional Mountains to Climb

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When I covered the 2009 NHL Western Conference Finals, I saw firsthand when the Detroit Red Wings soundly defeated the Chicago Blackhawks. Actually, I saw Detroit own Chicago the way Goldman Sachs owns the United States government, and it made me realize the only way the Blackhawks were ever going to win the Cup was if they did during a Detroit down year. Sure enough last … [Read more...] about Detroit and Columbus Give Blackhawks two Divisional Mountains to Climb

Red Wings Take Hockey Portion of Michigan-Ohio Rivalry Weekend

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Assuming that it was planned and not just coincidence, "Michigan-Ohio Sports Rivalry Weekend" is a very clever and exceedingly marketable idea. I'm referring of course to the Detroit Red Wings visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets on the eve of THE GAME (Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes) at "The Horsehoe" of college football. The only similar set up coming to mind is … [Read more...] about Red Wings Take Hockey Portion of Michigan-Ohio Rivalry Weekend

Potential Blackhawks Playoff Opponents

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By Paul M. Banks With just one more point, the Chicago Blackhawks will clinch their first playoff appearance since 2002. With postseason action on Chicago’s West side all but assured, it’s time to look ahead. Of course, the most boring and mind-numbing cliche in all of sports is "we don’t look ahead, we’re taking them one game at a time," but we’re not athletes here. … [Read more...] about Potential Blackhawks Playoff Opponents

Chicago Blackhawks Exchange

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Paul M. Banks and Peter Christian talk about the topics most important to Hawks fans everywhere (PMB) What a difference your man-crush Patrick Sharp makes, the Chi was just 6-7-3 without him and (overlooking Sunday's dominating shutout performance by Vancouver's net-minder Roberto Luongo) the Blackhawks offense really gets a major boost from his presence. A lot of people … [Read more...] about Chicago Blackhawks Exchange

Hawks Looking Sharp for Playoff Home Ice

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By Paul M. Banks Last week the Chicago Blackhawks lost and later regained the Western Conference’s fourth seed and with it the final home ice advantage for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They’re currently two points ahead of the fifth place Vancouver Canucks - who come to town Sunday for a slightly important regular season game- and five points ahead of the … [Read more...] about Hawks Looking Sharp for Playoff Home Ice