For better or worse, I am dusting off the old blog and firing up the engine once again.
Lots of reasons for resuming, but with various developments and opportunities arising, here is the bottom line:
1. I will continue covering the Blue Jackets for Inside Hockey, where you will see my game analysis and such.
2. I have started as a regular contributor to The Hockey Writers, where you will see more feature-type material, some on the Blue Jackets, some on collegiate hockey, some on hockey in general. You can check out my most recent piece on the Arena issue, where I attempt to bring some focus and rationality to the discussion. Upcoming pieces include analysis of what other cities around the league do with their arenas and hockey clubs, and a three part series on the Doug MacLean era with the Blue Jackets, looking at the reality of performance as a President, a General Manager and a Coach. Also some up-close looks at the Miami Redhawks hockey team.
3. I will regularly post items of interest to the blog here -- at least daily, with the usual blend of humor, insight and craziness.
4. I will pop my head in over at Light The Lamp from time to time, just to keep John on the straight and narrow.
Pass the word!!!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Moving Day -- Coming Soon!
I am continuing my feature writing and game coverage for Inside Hockey, and will likely be periodically contributing pieces to The Hockey Writers, among others.
I think this will be a good move for all concerned, and I will continue to provide my own unique perspective on the Jackets, Hockey and the unique fan experience in Columbus!
Cheers!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sharks Nab Heatley In Three Team Deal??? Reports abound, but denials rage
According to a report on NHL Fanhouse (here), and later by ESPN, Ottawa has finally consummated a deal for troubled winger Dany Heatley, shipping him to the San Jose Sharks in a three team deal that has the Sharks sending former captain Patrick Marleau to the Los Angeles Kings, and the Kings packaging forward Alexander Frolov and Jarrett Stoll, another winger, to the Senators. However, since word broke approximately two hours ago, denials have been issued by all three camps, with the Kings calling it "utter bull." So, we may not be anwhere different than we were at the beginning of the day.
Assuming, however, for the sake of argument, that this is what the deal ends up like, Ottawa and San Jose each seem to be getting what they want in this deal. Ottawa finally ends the ongoing headache that Heatley represents, and avoids an awkward camp with him present. They also get some young scoring help. Similarly, San Jose gets a talented forward, and avoids the discomfort of having Marleau, the defrocked captain, in their camp.
Los Angeles may be the loser in this one. They are giving up a lot of scoring in favor of adding some age and leadership. Not sure that is an even deal, considering that Frolov and Stoll combined for 100 points last season. Sure, Marleau ended up with 71 points, but he is notoriously streaky, and LA has removed 2 of the key offensive tools that would help Marleau's numbers.
Interesting stuff. Now let's see if some other deals start happening.
Assuming, however, for the sake of argument, that this is what the deal ends up like, Ottawa and San Jose each seem to be getting what they want in this deal. Ottawa finally ends the ongoing headache that Heatley represents, and avoids an awkward camp with him present. They also get some young scoring help. Similarly, San Jose gets a talented forward, and avoids the discomfort of having Marleau, the defrocked captain, in their camp.
Los Angeles may be the loser in this one. They are giving up a lot of scoring in favor of adding some age and leadership. Not sure that is an even deal, considering that Frolov and Stoll combined for 100 points last season. Sure, Marleau ended up with 71 points, but he is notoriously streaky, and LA has removed 2 of the key offensive tools that would help Marleau's numbers.
Interesting stuff. Now let's see if some other deals start happening.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Join The Jackets Podcast On Fire The Cannon -- Umberger and Agnew Appearing
Eric Smith of Fire The Cannon and Hockey Buzz will be hosting a CBJ Preview Podcast tomorrow night, Wednesday 9/8 @ 7:00 PM. I will be participating, along with other folks dedicated to covering the CBJ. R.J. Umberger and Gary Agnew will be appearing and responding to questions from the panel.
To join the call, simly follow this link. Hope to see you there -- should be fun!
To join the call, simly follow this link. Hope to see you there -- should be fun!
Anton Babchuk In The Mix???? -- Jiri Novotny to KHL??
Interesting tidbit appeared in The Sporting News, and is quickly making its way around the hockey online community:
During a conversation with Carolina GM Jim Rutherford about the Canes, the conversation shifted to the future of defenseman Anton Babchuk. Babchuk is coming off a 16-goal season but the restricted free agent rejected Carolina's one-year offer. He changed agents, from Jay Grossman to Don Meehan and wants to play in the NHL next season. It won't be with Carolina, but Rutherford said he sees a solution to Babchuk's situation before training camp.
"Teams are feeling their way as to where the cap was and how much they had to give him. And now we're getting right down to the end," Rutherford told SportingNews.com. "There's more teams poking around."
Right now there are three teams showing serious interest in the Russian defenseman, although one team has the inside track. With Carolina's roster basically set for this season, look for Carolina to ask for a prospect, most likely a defenseman, in return for Babchuk.
"I would expect that something is going to happen with him prior to camp this week," Rutherford said.
No specific indication that the CBJ are one of the clubs in the mix, but I would be shocked if it were not at least on Howson's radar. Big (6'5") kid with a strong right handed shot. Carolina was obviously not the right situation for him, but most think he has the whole KHL thing out of his system. Online speculation seems to put CBJ, Rangers and San Jose in the running.
I have been a vocal advocate for giving this a shot, and hope we are one of the teams in play here. 25 years old, big shot, power play experience, and could be signed long term for under $1.5 million, in all likelihood. We have prospects that could fit the bill for Carolina, so this is worth following.
In other news, former Jacket Jiri Novotny has apparently signed with HK Atlant of the KHL, according to a post on the HF Boards, citing a Czech web posting. My Czech is a little weak, so I can neither confirm nor deny.
During a conversation with Carolina GM Jim Rutherford about the Canes, the conversation shifted to the future of defenseman Anton Babchuk. Babchuk is coming off a 16-goal season but the restricted free agent rejected Carolina's one-year offer. He changed agents, from Jay Grossman to Don Meehan and wants to play in the NHL next season. It won't be with Carolina, but Rutherford said he sees a solution to Babchuk's situation before training camp.
"Teams are feeling their way as to where the cap was and how much they had to give him. And now we're getting right down to the end," Rutherford told SportingNews.com. "There's more teams poking around."
Right now there are three teams showing serious interest in the Russian defenseman, although one team has the inside track. With Carolina's roster basically set for this season, look for Carolina to ask for a prospect, most likely a defenseman, in return for Babchuk.
"I would expect that something is going to happen with him prior to camp this week," Rutherford said.
No specific indication that the CBJ are one of the clubs in the mix, but I would be shocked if it were not at least on Howson's radar. Big (6'5") kid with a strong right handed shot. Carolina was obviously not the right situation for him, but most think he has the whole KHL thing out of his system. Online speculation seems to put CBJ, Rangers and San Jose in the running.
I have been a vocal advocate for giving this a shot, and hope we are one of the teams in play here. 25 years old, big shot, power play experience, and could be signed long term for under $1.5 million, in all likelihood. We have prospects that could fit the bill for Carolina, so this is worth following.
In other news, former Jacket Jiri Novotny has apparently signed with HK Atlant of the KHL, according to a post on the HF Boards, citing a Czech web posting. My Czech is a little weak, so I can neither confirm nor deny.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Jacket Youngsters Edge Blues
The CBJ prospects rebounded from a 2 - 1 loss to Minnesota yesterday, posting a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Traverse City.
Matt Calvert netted a hat trick for the young Jackets, with two of the goals unassisted. A 5th Round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft, Calvert now has 4 points in two games in the Prospects Tournament. John Moore garnered an assist, with Thomas Kubalik and Cass Mappin providing the other goals.
This was obviously a chippy affair, as 24 penalties were handed out, including 9 roughing, 6 fighting majors, an unsportsmanlike conduct call and assorted slashing infractions. The Jackets had two shorthanded goals, but converted only 1 of 10 power play opportunities. Hopefully this will not be an omen for the big club . . .
The prospects have tomorrow off, and return to action Wednesday against Dallas.
Matt Calvert netted a hat trick for the young Jackets, with two of the goals unassisted. A 5th Round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft, Calvert now has 4 points in two games in the Prospects Tournament. John Moore garnered an assist, with Thomas Kubalik and Cass Mappin providing the other goals.
This was obviously a chippy affair, as 24 penalties were handed out, including 9 roughing, 6 fighting majors, an unsportsmanlike conduct call and assorted slashing infractions. The Jackets had two shorthanded goals, but converted only 1 of 10 power play opportunities. Hopefully this will not be an omen for the big club . . .
The prospects have tomorrow off, and return to action Wednesday against Dallas.
Moore Blogging From Michigan
NHL.com is carrying a blog authored by Jacket's first round pick, John Moore. His first installment can be found here.
Great that the CBJ and Moore are getting some national exposure. Now, John, next blog can we hear a bit more about the game? ;-)
Go Jackets!!
Great that the CBJ and Moore are getting some national exposure. Now, John, next blog can we hear a bit more about the game? ;-)
Go Jackets!!
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