During the past two seasons, I assessed how the Columbus Blue Jackets performed as a team at the first quarter of the season. Sadly, as the Blue Jackets’ performance plummeted during the remaining three quarters of last season, and as the Blue Jackets nearly repeated that ignominious feat during the second quarter of this season, I honestly didn’t think I’d have the … [Read more...] about Columbus Blue Jackets 3rd Qtr Report Card
rick nash blue jackets
Explaining why Rick Nash Never Draws Any Penalties
After Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash was once again mauled, held, received several opponent’s high-sticks towards the end of a game against the Los Angeles Kings, his head coach, Scott Arniel, could no longer sit idly by and witness this continue to go on. By Ed Cmar Here are some of Arniel’s post-game comments: … [Read more...] about Explaining why Rick Nash Never Draws Any Penalties
Columbus Blue Jackets 2nd QTR Report Card
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
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