Full Mental Jackets

Full Mental Face-Off: Should the Blue Jackets Trade Rick Nash?

2012-02-18T16:56:00.003-05:00

Contributor: Rick Gethin

Greg and Rick go head-to-head on the pressing issues facing the Union Blue

Welcome to a new feature here on FMJ, the Full Mental Face-off. As with other "new features" we've tried from time to time, we'll see how it goes. Here's how it will work, Rick and I will email each other back and forth about a trending topic. We'll each take a side and give the issue a mostly proper debate. We'll take the emails and post the exchange here. Then we'll put a reader poll at the end to see where people are coming down on the topic. And we could think of no bigger issue to kick things off than this . . . .

Should the Blue Jackets trade Rick Nash?

Greg: Unfortunately, yes. Ask yourself this: can things really get much worse in terms of wins and losses than they are right now? The Blue Jackets are the worst team in the NHL by a healthy margin. Do we need a $7.5 million player on this team? Won't it hinder efforts to rebuild (or should I say build) this team into a winner? I realize it sounds heartless and cruel to say this about a guy who has given his heart and soul to the organization, not to mention arguably the most productive years of his career, but let's cut our losses on his monstrous contract. If the Blue Jackets can't find a productive way to use $7.5 million a year to improve the roster, they can use it to fund a rebate program on $9 beers at Nationwide.

Rick: Absolutely not! Rick Nash has given everything for this team. He's been the consumate "Company Man" throughout his time in Columbus. He is the kind of player that you build a team around. To this point, the CBJ Front Office hasn't been able to really do that. This was the guy who would go the "Yzerman Route". Everyone, including him I suspect, thought that he would play his entire career here and have his number retired to the rafters of Nationwide Arena. Everything's been tried to make this a winning franchise. Players and coaches have come and gone in rapid succession. At some point, you have to realize that it's not the players, it's the management. Nash is a keeper.

Greg: Rick Nash is a Lexus with about 80,000 miles on him. He's built to go another 80,000 or more, but once he gets to 100,000 his value is going to take a significant hit. Let's be realistic. Nash's value is never going to be higher than it is right now. And if he is forced to play yet again next year with a mixture of under-performing veterans and youngsters learning on the job, and continues to post very average numbers as a result, his value is likely to take a dive. Especially when you factor in his contract. It's a difficult thing to swallow, but trading Nash now, while he is still a very marketable Lexus in excellent condition, is the prudent thing to do. We can't afford to drive a Lexus. Two Camrys would serve us better right now.

Rick: Just remember, Lexus is a luxury Toyota. They're like the Energizer Bunny. They keep going and going and going... But, you need a luxury car to build your franchise around. Something for all of the mid-size sedans to emulate and look up to. As for value? Why trade-in a perfectly good model? He's solid and dependable. He gives you that "warm and fuzzy" feeling whenever he takes to the ice. As for his value taking a hit? Every model depreciates every year. Realistically, what will you gett for him? A couple of Fords or maybe a Chevy. He's the Roll Royce to Jeff Carter's Shaguar... er, I mean Jaguar. Royalty and loyalty in Columbus, baby!!

Greg: Well I guess the automobile analogy didn't win you over. Let's try a different one. You are an army. You are in the middle of a battlefield and you are surrounded by multiple enemies. Do you want a big cannon that can only fire one cannonball in one direction at a time, or do you want a bunch of smaller, more affordable cannons that you can aim in various directions, keeping them trained on their targets? The smaller cannons might not pack as much "boom" per blast, but collectively they can do more damage. And God forbid if your big cannon ever breaks down and needs repairs. This team has multiple issues that need to be addressed. Doesn't it make sense to take the resources we are dedicating to Rick Nash and spread them out to address those multiple issues, as opposed to putting so many cannonballs in one basket?

Rick: Rick: Ok, we'll use your analogy. Every army needs a Main Battle tank, with a supporting cast surrounding it to increase the lethality as a whole. Rick Nash is that MBT. He's that part of the army you surround with smaller, affordable cannons that can be aimed in any direction. He's a consistent goal-scorer that, at this point, would be hard to replace. That consistency is better than having who knows what come in. This team doesn't need to be "blown up". It needs surgical additions that come from specialized pieces. At the end of the day, that Main Battle Tank is your star. And Rick Nash is that star in Columbus.

Should the Blue Jackets trade Rick Nash? » create a poll
Tags : cbj nhl hockey

Full Mental Soundtrack: I've Got The Walkin' Blues...

2012-02-18T16:30:00.003-05:00

Embarrassing. That's the first word to come to mind after your Boys in Union Blue lost to the Blackhawks 6-1. The first 10 minutes were good. The next 50 minutes were painful to watch. The standout was the D-pairing of James "The Wiz" Wisniewski and Johnny Moore. That's a strong pair and something to look forward to as the club moves forward.

Rather than recap the badness, I'll let Taj Mahal do the talking for me. So sit back, grab a cold one and let him wash away the despair with The Celebrated Walkin' Blues...

Full Mental Soundtrack: Dorse Said "Knock You Out"...

2012-02-14T21:51:00.004-05:00

The bi-polar nature of your Boys in Union Blue continues the merry-go-round that is this season. "OK" game on Saturday, bad game on Sunday and a physical, good win tonight. From an awesome save by James "I don't need no stinkin' pads" Wisniewski in the first, to Derek "I'll hit anything that moves, including the puck" Dorsett scoring the game winning goal, this was a good win for the club.

Tonight's Soundtrack is totally inspired by Derek Dorsett and his incresingly good play this year. He scored the second game winning goal of his career and first of the season. DJ Lobsterdust did this one right. So, here's Knock Out Eileen for the win...

Full Mental Soundtrack: At Least I'm Enjoying The Ride...

2012-02-13T09:27:00.004-05:00

First off, let me apologize for not getting this posted after the game. I was having way too much fun LOL'ing at the "self-lovefest" that is the Grammys. It really is nothing more than a prime-time concert. Anyway, on to the soundtrack of your season.

It's important to keep your sense of humour about watching a game that is played for our entertainment. It's okay to feel anger and disappointment, for sure. But you also need to remember why we love the game, in and of itself. The bi-polar nature of this club is hard to take, I know. They win a few games, then regress to playing just bad hockey. At this point, it is what it is.

With my sense of humour still soundly intact, I present a most appropriate tune to help brighten your Monday and remind all of us that we still very much love the game of hockey. Today, the Grateful Dead are telling us that we may be going to Hell In A Bucket, but at least we're enjoying the ride...

Full Mental Soundtrack: Umby Does The Dougie...

2012-02-11T22:40:00.003-05:00

Your Boys in Union Blue beat the Wild tonight 3-1, and in the process have won 3 of their last 4. But, the real story tonight wasn't Steve Mason getting back to a semblance of his former self. No, it was RJ "My name is Umby, dammit!!" Umberger. Two goals on the night gives him the nod from FMJ.

He was overheard during the 2nd intermission telling Vinny Prospal that he would "teach him how to Dougie", if they won the game. Well, as you know, they won. So...

CSD vs. LZ vs. KP - Whole Lotta Extra Dougie from El Dee on Vimeo.

Full Mental Soundtrack: The Puck Can't Find It's Way Home...

2012-02-09T21:33:00.003-05:00

Your Boys in Union Blue started weak, but managed to turn it around and make a game of it. Although they put another game in the Loss column, they did their best to overcome adversity. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the puck to find the back of the net at the end of the game.

Blind Faith brings us the soundtrack for this loss, with their electric version of the seminal Can't Find My Way Home. The puck didn't know...

A Savior Is Born in Columbus

2012-02-09T09:06:00.000-05:00

Follow me. I will show you the way. Thumbs up if you like chili!

It's been a couple of weeks since both non-hockey ops president Mike Priest and GM Scott Howson promised Blue Jackets fans some big changes to the roster. Nothing big has happened yet, outside of wild speculation over what part of the locker room the wrecking ball will hit first. Yesterday, the Blue Jackets announced that fan favorite Vinny Prospal has been given a one year contract extension. The move caused a lot of big smiles in Columbus, and more than a little head-scratching as well.

A lot of people, Blue Jackets fans among them, figured that Prospal was as good as gone come the NHL trade deadline. The soon-to-be 37 year old is in the sunset of a well-traveled career and the assumption was that he would relish the chance to jump yet again to a team that could give him another shot at playoff glory. By announcing the one year extension today, not only did the Blue Jackets and Prospal zig when everyone thought they would zag, they zugged (newly invented word that means to go in a different direction than a zig or a zag) by agreeing to a no trade clause in the deal, essentially assuring Vinny that he won't get Cartered (another new word that means hosed).

There's no denying that this move feels good. Prospal has won over the fans and now the front office with his passion and enthusiasm for the game, his tireless work ethic and, perhaps mostly, his honesty. Having him around another year just increases the chances that science might figure out a way for the Blue Jackets to clone him while he is here.

What's causing people's scalps to itch is the thought that this might just be the proverbial first shoe to drop. All those things that Vinny brings to the table are good things. Really good things. That many assumed Prospal would be dealt at the deadline speaks to the fact that, despite Prospal's age, he was sure to be highly sought after by more than a few contending teams. So if the Blue Jackets aren't selling a quickly depreciating asset when his value might not ever be greater, the question becomes: why not?

The timing of the move might be suggestive. The Blue Jackets appear to be on the verge of launching Operation Clean Howson. We have been told it will be "big." Is it big as in big R, big N with a big C on the front of the sweater? Forget the rumors du jour, common sense dictates that trading Nash has to be given consideration. Such a move would result in a gaping hole in the leadership of the team. The size of that hole is open to debate, but we can all agree that losing your captain is messy business. The Blue Jackets would need a player with special leadership qualities to step in and fill the void. Ask any diehard Blue Jackets fan who is still carrying the flag and you will be hard pressed to find one that doesn't think Vinny Prospal is that type of special player.

And if Scott Howson were about to drop that kind of bomb on the fan base, it makes sense that he would announce Prospal's extension now, with a contract that says "he might be here longer than me" -- BEFORE he pushes the button. In fact, given what we have come to learn of the calculated world that Scott Howson lives in, it makes a hell of a lot of sense.

But if you are Vinny Prospal, no matter how much you want to avoid uprooting your family, why would you want to subject yourself to more of this? Because you are a doer. Because you are a leader. Because you are a fixer, and this is a chance to prove it before you likely enter a career as a coach or scout. Because with a wink and a nod you have been promised a role with the team after your playing days are over. Because the team needs you, the fans love you and you have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on a franchise that so desperately needs and wants a lasting impact.

Whether Prospal's extension is the first shoe to drop in a massive roster makeover, or simply a wise GM realizing that he can't get equivalent value in a trade for a player that possesses so many badly needed intangibles, Blue Jackets fans are rejoicing today. They can now place their faith in Vinny. They know that with Vinny, all things are possible.

Full Mental Soundtrack: Take Off, Eh?

2012-02-07T22:25:00.003-05:00

No need for explanations of why tonight's song was chosen. I think you know why. Minne-soter is pretty much a province of Canada, as we all know. And, the Boys in Union Blue dispatched the Wild in sound fashion, 3-1.

So, in the immortal words of Bob and Doug McKenzie (with some help from Geddy Lee), FMJ is very proud to present to you, Take Off...

Full Mental Soundtrack: It's A Brass Bonanza...

2012-02-04T05:54:00.006-05:00

Your Blue Jackets ended the west coast swing with an OT winner, giving the club and fans something to cheer about. Derick Brassard had the game winning goal, giving him the first multi-goal game of his career. It was also his first OT goal. So, it's only fitting that FMJ serenade you with the Brass Bonanza!!!

Full Mental Soundtrack: Everyone's Going Crazy...

2012-02-02T21:20:00.006-05:00

In light of a season to forget, along with all of the turmoil off the ice and even among the fans, the answer is obvious. Everyone is going crazy from the heat. You all can feel it.

So, take a chill. Remember, it's only a game. A game we all love. But, still just a game...

Listen to Dave, he knows...

Hold on a Second

2012-02-02T13:01:00.001-05:00

Just when Blue Jackets fans thought it was safe to watch the last minute of a game, they were subjected to yet another late game loss. This one was the most horrifying yet, and that's saying something. In a season filled with some of the most unbelievable "last second" collapses, this was one literally was in the last second ,as Drew Doughty punched a rebound past Curtis Sanford with the clock showing 0.4 seconds left in regulation to give the L.A. Kings a 3-2 win in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

But that's just where the story begins. Before the Kings could scurry off to their dressing room, Fox Sports Ohio detected that the game clock had stopped for a full second when it reached 1.8 seconds left in the period. Had the clock continued to run as it is supposed to, Doughty's shot would have entered the net after expiration of play and the game would have gone into overtime.

Supposedly, the play was reviewed at both the scorer's bench and in the Toronto war room. And supposedly, despite the fact that Fox Sports Ohio detected the error within a minute or so of the play, neither the referees or the officials in Toronto saw it until they had already called the game a regulation win for the Kings.

The episode prompted an understandably pointed blog post from Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson, who stated:

"It is an amazing coincidence that with the Kings on a power play at STAPLES Center and with a mad scramble around our net in the dying seconds of the third period of a 2-2 hockey game that the clock stopped for at least one full second. I can only think of two ways in which this would have happened. Either there was a deliberate stopping of the clock or the clock malfunctioned. . . . We anxiously await the results of the NHL’s investigation."

Howson has since removed the blog post from the team's website after deciding that a few points in the post were made a little too strongly.

Indeed, the NHL says it is investigating the error. In a story released today, the Associated Press reports that "it is not clear if the outcome of the game will stand." Yeah right. Does anybody really believe that the NHL will change the result? No way.

Add getting jobbed by home team, off-ice NHL officials to things that can happen in less than a second. Here's another.

UPDATE No 1: Did the NHL try to hide the error? Travis Hughes, NHL editor at SBNation, raises some very compelling questions (with video and photographic support) about how the NHL has handled the fiasco up to this point.

UPDATE No 2: King's GM Dean Lombardi appears to want people to believe that there was no malfunction at all and the clock was supposed to stop for one second. Check this out:

“Those clocks are sophisticated instruments that calculate time by measuring electrical charges called coulombs,” he said. “Given the rapidity and volume of electrons that move through the measuring device the calibrator must adjust at certain points which was the delay you see. The delay is just recalibrating for the clock moving too quickly during the 10 – 10ths of a second before the delay.

“This insures that the actual playing time during a period is exactly 20 minutes. That is not an opinion. That is science. Amazing device quite frankly."

Did you get all that? Remember, he lives in L.A. You can get a contact buzz just walking down the street.

UPDATE No 3: Colin Campbell, the NHL's senior vice president for hockey operations, has pretty much come out and said the Blue Jackets got hosed. When told of Lombardi's take, Campbell called it "interesting."

Update No. 4: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman weighs in and offers that "maybe L.A. would have won anyway, maybe not. That's not the point." Just in case you thought that maybe that was the point.

Stop It Right Here!

2012-01-27T15:17:00.001-05:00

The #CBJFanProtest planned for tomorrow afternoon at Nationwide has caused a lot of debate. What will it accomplish? Will it embarrass the franchise and its fans? Is it disrespectful to the players? Lots of people have tried to answer these questions in the past few days. All the answers are good ones to me. The only bad answer is "I don't care."

A wise man once said, "Hatred is not the opposite of love; apathy is." No matter how things go down tomorrow afternoon, let's all keep that thought in mind. The only thing worse than how things are going right now for the Blue Jackets is if nobody cared.

Whether you are for or against the protest, you have to admit it has at least been entertaining. Today, fans went to Twitter to suggest protest signs for the event under the hashtag #CBJFanProtestSigns. There are some real gems in there. I couldn't resist myself, so I offered a few of my own creations.

From Drop Box

What's the Difference?

2012-01-19T10:58:00.000-05:00

[The following was originally posted on The Dark Blue Jacket.]

A few months ago I found myself sitting at a Blue Jackets game next to a guy who said he was the brother-in-law of one of the players. For any of you who saw me on TV during the Bruins game when I was sitting in front of Derek Dorsett's mom and grandma, I am speaking of a different game. So, for the record, the guy sitting next to me, who I will hereafter refer to as Guy, was not related to Derek Dorsett. Other than that, I'm not going to reveal Guy's identity and it isn't important to the story.

Guy was a friendly . . . umm . . . guy, especially during the second period after he had "loosened up a bit," shall we say. From the outset the game wasn't going so well for the Jackets and I engaged Guy in a brief conversation about the state of the team.

We discussed goaltending. We discussed the offseason acquisitions. We discussed specific players. But whenever Guy's comments would turn to the negative, he would pause and then add, "I really shouldn't say anything more." I didn't push him. I thought it would be uncool.

But to this day the one thing that sticks out in my mind about the exchange was when I mentioned Scott Arniel. It was at the very end of the conversation. I said something like, "I think Arniel will rally these guys. It's a long season." At first Guy didn't say a word, but the look he gave me read like a book. I did push him on this one. And this time he didn't hesitate.

"The players hate him," he said. "He treats them like minor leaguers. There's no respect."

Guy said some other things that would raise a few eyebrows, but I've never been able to shake this one comment. I thought it about it now and again as the season progressed and the team imploded. I thought about it as Arniel's fate became sealed and he was relived of his duties. And I thought about it as I watched the game on Tuesday night against Edmonton, and especially as I watched Todd Richards in his post-game presser.

After getting embarrassed by a depleted Oilers squad in the first eight minutes of the game, Richards called a timeout. The Jackets came out of the timeout a more determined and focused bunch, and would go on to tie the game with one second left in the first period. An early second period goal gave them a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. It was the first time all season that the Jackets have come back from two goal deficit to win.

Afterwards, everyone wanted to know what Richards said or did during the timeout. As Richards explained in his post-game comments, he didn't say much. He told them that they were better than how they were playing. That's it. As for what he did, he preferred to highlight what he didn't do. He didn't yell at them.

At 4 minutes and 40 seconds into the presser, Lori Schmidt noted that a couple of the players told her how, in between the first and second periods, Richards had "left it on them" to challenge themselves to play better than they had in the first period. She asked Richards what it was that he saw in the leadership group that trusted him to do that. Richards responded:

"Well I just want the players to take more ownership in the team," he said. "I want the leaders to take more ownership in the group, in running the group, so that when things aren't going well they take it upon themselves to try to turn it, and not waiting on a coach, not waiting on a referee, not waiting on the fans, not waiting on someone else or something else to do it."

What is Todd Richards doing differently? Read between the lines and it sounds like he is saying the players don't need to be yelled at and berated into playing well (like they are minor leaguers). Read between the lines and it sounds like he is treating the players like professionals, with respect and trust, asking them to lead from within and to start playing like they have some control over their destiny. Read between the lines and one begins to sense this is a new approach for this team, one that is at least fresh in the context of this season.

I'm not saying that the players were being treated unprofessionally by Arniel, or that they felt disrespected by him and didn't trust him. Guy said it. And who knows if Guy was accurate. But I'll say this, he certainly believed it. And it was the one thing he had no issue sharing with me. Maybe the divide between Arniel and this team got so wide that the players quit responding to Arniel. Or maybe they never did in the first place.

The approach Richards is taking right now sounds simple in theory, but clearly it is anything but simple in practice. Great coaches, let alone lesser ones, have failed at it from time to time. And, as I'm sure is the case with Arniel, it wasn't for a lack of trying. But it takes more than trying to get it right.

It takes a sense of balance between being a hard-ass and being a pushover. It takes at least the perception of fairness. It takes an incredible sense of timing, knowing when to push and prod, and when to back off. And it takes the right group of players as well, players with character, heart and drive. It's a two way street. Yet when it works it's described as the players "buying in," as if they should get the credit. And when it fails it's described as the coach "losing the the room," as if he should shoulder all of the blame.

Such is life as a head coach. Sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't. Todd Richards knows what happens when it doesn't click. This is his second trip to the rodeo. Did he learn some things during his first trip that he has been able to put into his bag of tricks? Lots and lots of CBJ fans are hoping so, and that what happened on Tuesday night is the sign of things to come, not an aberration.

If we are to believe Scott Howson, changes are coming to the Blue Jackets roster. We'll have to see how that plays out. As we wait, we can take some comfort in knowing that other changes are already occurring in the locker room, changes that are just as important as any future roster moves, changes that are long overdue, changes that need to happen before any meaningful success can occur, no matter who the coach is next season and beyond.

It Depends On What the Definition of "It" Is

2012-01-13T13:04:00.000-05:00

Over the years the Blue Jackets marketing team has certainly had their "ups and downs", shall we say. It's easy to take pot shots at them, as you are about to see. But we must try to remember that these people are marketing professionals, not magicians. They are trying to take dog poop and sell it as chocolate bars on a regular basis. So they are bound to get it wrong every now and then.

Every other year or so. the brave marketing folks for the Blue Jackets have come up with a slogan. The slogan is prominent in every TV, radio and print ad the Jackets use to promote ticket sales. This season, like last year, the slogan is "Gotta See It Live". This is one of those years where things didn't work out so well for the marketing folks.

Things looked so promising when they picked this slogan (again). The additions of The Wiz, Jeff Carter, Vinnie Prospal and exciting youngsters like Ryan Johansen, Cam Atkinson and John Moore had lots of people geeked for the start of this season. It certainly did look like you should want to go see it live.

What a difference 10 games can make. I'll bet the marketing folks wish they could have a mulligan right about now. Does anyone else think it sounds like Jeff Rimer is saying "Gotta run and hide!" or "Gotta see 'em dive"?

Speaking of Rims, he's getting so bad lately that I actually do gotta see it live. It's either that or sit at home listening to him and wanting to jam screwdrivers into my ears.

A few months back, Light the Lamp had a great post called History of the Schedule Magnet. The title says it all.

As noted in that post, here are the slogans the Blue Jackets have used in the past:

All Out All Season (2001-02) Given the fact the Blue Jackets started out the campaign at 0-7-1, this slogan might have been a better fit for this year.

Ignite the Night (2002-04) This one sounds like the name of a Lady Gaga song. I always hated this slogan, but could never put my finger on why. As it turns out, it's because I didn't know who Lady Gaga was back then.

Jackets Time (2007-09) There was no slogan in 2004 due to the lockout. When hockey finally came back, it was Jackets Time! From a marketing standpoint, it was simple and effective. It's my personal favorite. It will always be Jackets Time to me.

Carry the Flag (2008-09) Another winner. We carried that freaking flag all the way to the only playoff appearance in franchise history. Good times.

Gotta See It Live (2010-12) This one has never won me over. If I might paraphrase William Jefferson Clinton, it depends on what the definition of "it" is. Moreover, this slogan doesn't inspire. It doesn't evoke. It doesn't excite. It begs. It might as well have the word "Please" on the end and a photo of John P. McConnell on his knees. The problem is, what comes after begging? I mean next year. What do you say to fans now to get them down to Nationwide after this debacle of a season? Besides "Free Bacon!"

Let's give the CBJ marketing folks a little help and come up with some suggestions for next year's slogan. Leave them in the comments below.

Happy New Year?

2012-01-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year? Based on what? Many Blue Jacekts fans are probably asking that question this morning. Well, you never know. That isn't exactly a compelling answer, but that's all I got right now. And there is some comfort in knowing that if we haven't hit bottom yet, there isn't that far left to fall.

Thanks for the Dark Blue Jacket for coming up with a fun way for all of us to vent a little bit. Enjoy.

All kidding aside, I truly hope that your New Year is a happy, healthy and peaceful one.

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Sucking It Up

2011-12-08T09:40:00.001-05:00

I am a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Pirates. I have been a Blue Jackets fan since day one. I have endured 18 straight losing seasons by the Pirates. I have endured The Drive, The Fumble and having my heart ripped out when the Browns moved to Baltimore. When that happened, I did not become a free agent and sell my NFL allegiance to the highest bidder. I simply sat and waited. And for my patience I was rewarded with an expansion team three years later. And then there's the Blue Jackets.

Some people tell me that I am cursed. I prefer not to look at it that way. Rather, I am an expert on suck.

I live with a perpetual frown on my face. My favorite color is black. If I had a theme song it would be Born Under a Bad Sign because, when it comes to pro sports, hard luck and trouble is my only friend. I've been on my own ever since I was ten.

And tonight I find myself at the crossroads of a dilemma. The Browns play their fiercest rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. At roughly the same time, the Blue Jackets play perhaps their fiercest rival, the Nashville Predators. Which one do I watch? Some would say, who gives a rat's ass? And the answer is: me. And maybe a few other people. It's lonely here at the South Pole of Suck.

Picking which of these games to watch is like trying to decide if I should have a root canal or a colonoscopy. The Browns are now mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoff picture. The Blue Jackets have a 0.3% probability of making the NHL playoffs. But they still have a chance. Plus, watching the Jackets lately hasn't really sucked all that much (as long as you go to the bathroom and get a fresh coldie during the last two minutes of any period). On top of that, I already paid for tickets to the CBJ game. And Dancing Kevin is going to be there. I love that dude.

So, I'm going to the Blue Jackets game. I'm sorry Brownies. You know I love you. Even if your stadium is a "factory of sadness."

Mental Monday (11/28/11)

2011-11-28T09:13:00.001-05:00

The loss on Sunday was like bitter beer face. A long, refreshing swig of winning hockey, followed by a horribly sour aftertaste of a loss. Hitch wins. Russell scores. I'm sure at least a few Jackets fans vomited in their mouths a little.

But we move on. Thankfully, there have been positive signs in the past couple of weeks. Curtis Sanford has delivered solid play and inspiration. Jeff Carter and Rick Nash have started to yin and yang. Derek Dorsett continues to elevate his game and fire us up with his grit, energy and attitude. And Ryan Johansen is proving that he belongs. It felt like it was raining cannonballs on Friday night as the Blue Jackets bombarded Buffalo 5-1. Wins and losses aside, it was a tremendous feeling and one that Blue Jackets fans so desperately want to experience more often.

So while there may be little or no hope of making the playoffs, there are still some compelling story lines for Jackets fans to follow. It's safe to watch games again and you don't have to worry that you'll be induced to vomit, at least when we're not playing the Blues.

Which brings us to the docket for this week, a swing through western Canada that kicks off tonight in Vancouver, with a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday nights in Calgary and Edmonton. Who knows what will happen when the NHL announces its realignment plan in two weeks or so. The Blue Jackets could use some good news, and good news would come in the form of less games in the west. But as it stands, this is the first of four trips out west this season for the Jackets. So strap it on.

Despite the disappointing loss to the Blues on Sunday, the Blue Jackets are a team that seems to be building confidence. If they can manage to keep it going on this four game roadie (they visit Montreal on December 6 after getting back from the west coast), the schedule becomes somewhat favorable. The Jackets will be home for five straight and seven out of eleven to close out the month of December and 2011.

If the Blue Jackets want the atmosphere in Nationwide to be festive this holiday season, two wins this week out west would really spike the punch bowl. It's a tall order as always given the long travel and the change in time zones. It's even taller when you consider that the Canucks are 7-3 in their last ten and have won four straight. And Calgary/Edmonton on back to back nights is no box of chocolates.

Oh well. Never say never! Here's to late night hockey and the snooze button. (This one's for you, Rick!)

Vinnie, Vidit, Vicit

2011-11-25T12:18:00.001-05:00

Vinnie Prospal will play in his 1000th game tonight at Nationwide. Will you be there to acknowledge and celebrate this monumental achievement? Here's a link to my latest post, Live Long and Prospal, for The Dark Blue Jacket.

Note: For all of you out there that didn't take five years of Latin like me, the title translated (loosely) means: Vinnie came, he saw, he conquered.

Mental Monday (11/21/11)

2011-11-20T16:51:00.001-05:00

As of today, I'm a contributor at The Dark Blue Jacket. I'm honored, thrilled and excited to join the staff of what I believe to be one of the best fan blogs in the NHL. I'm also a little torn. This blog has become an extension of me and my love/hate fanship of the Blue Jackets. I can't see folding it up completely. So I'll try to keep it going for as long as I am able. My first commitment will be to DBJ, so the content here might be sporadic. But there are still plenty of reasons to keep visiting Full Mental Jackets, like the sidebar, which has fresh links to great CBJ content 24/7, and FMJvision, your one-stop Blue Jackets Youtube page. And if you are a fledgling smart alec/CBJ fan/blogger wannabe who wants to start contributing here on this blog, hit me up.

Curtis saves.

There's been an ongoing debate among what I like to call dying hard Blue Jackets fans that is essentially the old chicken/egg conundrum. What comes first, good goaltending or good defense? There are still a surprising number of people standing and fighting behind Steve Mason. They claim that he is the victim of extremely poor defense and that he faces far too many "quality shots." On the other side is a growing legion of fans who believe that, while the defense has been far from pretty, the real problem is Mason and that the defense would be better if the team had any confidence in the goaltending. After this past week, during which the Blue Jackets earned five points out of a possible eight, including a huge win at Nashville on Saturday night, expect the latter group to start in with a heavy dose of "I told you so".

On the year Steve Mason has a .875 save percentage (49th out of 49 qualifying goalies) and a 3.63 goals-against average. In the last two games, Curtis Sanford is at .930 and 2.00. Before being "rested" for Sanford, Mason was actually coming off of a decent two game stretch where he went a combined .932 and 2.00. So in the Jackets last four games, Jackets' goalies posted a save percentage of .931 and a goals-against average of 2.00. Compare that to the median numbers among the top 30 qualified NHL goalies, .923 and 2.39 respectively, and it is not to difficult to see how the Jackets went 2-1-1 in those four games.

To be fair, the Blue Jackets defense has also played much better during this stretch. But that just begs the question. Are they playing better because of the lift they have gotten in net, or have they started to figure out how to make life for their netminders a little less stressful. In the end, who cares? All Jackets fans will all be a lot happier if both sides to this debate can claim victory by the end of the season.

UPDATE: Now comes word that Steve Mason was injured today during the morning skate when he took one in the noggin off the stick of Rick Nash. Sanford had already been declared the starter for tonight's game vs. Calgary. No word yet on how long Mason might be incapacitated, but when asked Arniel said, "He's not good." And so I'm assuming the follow up question was something like, "We know, but how's his head?"

Mad As Hell

2011-11-16T23:08:00.001-05:00

Right about the time the Wild scored their second goal in a 20 second span on Tuesday night, my blood pressure skyrocketed and I started to hyperventilate. Later I was in the kitchen when Billy Davidge said that Cal Clutterbuck had beaten Mason "high glove side" for the go-ahead goal. My left eye started to twitch. I started to look for something to break, or kick. The dog took note and quietly hid behind the couch.

Why? How? What the . . . .? We as Blue Jackets fans do not deserve this crap! As one of my high school football coaches used to say when we were screwing up bad, "Ain't it about time somebody done sumpin?"

Why isn't anyone doing anything? Why does Howson keep stubbornly running Mason out there, or Arniel for that matter? The harm that it is doing to the fan base is monumental. The failure to act is inexplicable.

The fans seem numb at this point. Where's the disgust? Where's the outrage? Where's the call to action? Then again, what can we as fans do? We could organize a sit-in and call it Occupy Suck Street. We can demand to be heard. We can announce to the hockey world that we are mad as hell and we aren't going to take this anymore! But first we have to get mad!

Which reminds me of a famous scene from a movie called Network. Even if you are too young to remember that movie, the scene might be familiar to you. Either way, I've adapted it to what is going on here in Columbus. It was either going to be this or a Youtube clip of Roberta Flack singing Killing Me Softly. The animated clip won out.

Mad As Hell
by: gregin120

Mental Monday (11/7/11)

2011-11-07T09:36:00.002-05:00

A lot of people in Columbus were shocked to wake up and learn that Ken Hitchcock was hired on Sunday night. By the St. Louis Blues! And so the curtain has closed on Act I of this tragedy of a season. There will be no more speculation about Hitch returning to coach the Blue Jackets. And, perhaps more importantly, there will be no more awkward situations like those witnessed recently at Nationwide, with Hitch in the stands watching practices run by his eventual successor, Scott Arniel, while sitting next to Arniel's boss, CBJ President Mike Priest.

CBJ fans to ownership: Can you do us a kindness please?

On the other hand, it now creates a very awkward situation for GM Scott Howson and maybe even Priest as well. Hitchcock replaces Davis Payne, who has guided the Blues to a 6-7-0 record so far this season. I wonder how many body organs would be donated by Jackets fans for a 6-7-0 record right now? If that's not good enough in the Central Division, then clearly 2-11-1 isn't either. So that can only lead us to one conclusion: Arniel's replacement isn't going to be selected until Howson's replacement is selected. And it's quite possible that Howson's replacement might not be selected until Priest's replacement is selected. Anybody up for a game of dominoes?

If Howson is as good as gone, that would also explain why the Blue Jackets keep running Steve Mason out there. Like Arniel, his fate might be sealed but his replacement is probably not going to materialize until Howson is replaced first. In fact, it seems clear at this point that no major moves are going to be made until ownership hires a new architect to rebuild this mess. In the meantime, they appear to have taken away Howson's car keys and his cell phone, and locked him in a broom closet down the hall so that he doesn't muck this thing up even more than it already is.

If I'm reading the tea leaves accurately, it could be some time before Arniel is let go. In the meantime, the CBJ marketing folks are going to have to get real creative to get people to come down to Nationwide to watch this circus. On second thought, maybe that's exactly what they should do. Embrace the fact that it's a circus and bill it as such:

Step right up people! See midget defenders and the Disappearing Goalie! See the Largest Inflatable Cannon in the World! Watch a team outshoot its opponent 40-20 AND LOSE! You won't believe your eyes, but you gotta see it live!

For those that still care, the Jackets are at home for two games this week:

On Thursday night the Jackets welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to town. The Hawks start this week in first place in the Central division with an 8-3-3 record. The Blackhawks defeated the Jackets 5-2 in Chicago on October 29.
The Winnipeg Jets, coached by former CBJ Interim head coach Claude Noel, come to Nationwide on Saturday evening. The Jets presently sit at 5-7-2, last place in the Southeast division.

If you are still a Blue Jackets fan at this point, God bless you. As I've said before, laughter is always the best medicine. Accordingly, I'm sharing with you a video clip on this sober Monday morning, a video clip that always makes me laugh in those challenging situations, like this one, where it is difficult to be humored. I am not embedding the Youtube Player for this clip because you probably don't want to play it in an office environment or within earshot of children (or persons that are easily, and maybe even not so easily, offended by foul language). There's a good chance you've already seen it. Either way, I highly recommend the movie that was inspired by it.

Have a great week everybody!

Mental Monday (10/31/11)

2011-10-31T12:36:00.002-04:00

Last Monday we were looking at a four game week and the hope of being 4-7-1 as we stand (and fight) here today. The Blue Jackets ended up going 2-2, winning both of their home games and dropping two on the road. It's not good enough to extricate themselves from the grave they have dug for themselves, but it represents a major breakthrough and hopefully signals that this team is beginning to come together the way GM Scott Howson and coach Scott Arniel envisioned it would entering the season.

Boo! The CBJ are 2-9-1, which is scary bad.

Speaking of The Scotts, the heat was turned up on their respective electric seat cushions this weekend when Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch reported on his blog that both could be relieved of their duties as early as today. Portzline went on to suggest that former CBJ coach Ken Hitchcock might be tagged to replace Arniel and that former Calgary Flames GM Craig Button might be replacing Howson. Needless to say, Porty's blog post caused quite a stir in Columbus and throughout the NHL. By the end of yesterday, there were the obligatory denials by all parties involved. No big surprise there. And so the plot thickens.

Perhaps the rumors predicting the fall of The Scotts Empire made an impact. The team called a "players only" meeting three hours before Sunday's game against Anaheim, after which the players voiced their unification behind each other and the organization, which is to say Arniel and Howson. They proceeded to go out and play one of their most complete games of the season, winning 3-1 and effectively adding mud to the water. Did the win buy The Scotts some extra time or will the next few days turn out to be the calm before the storm?

With all that bubbling below the surface, Blue Jackets fans can look forward to the following this week:

It's D-Day for Ryan Johansen. After playing in the allotted nine games, Howson must now decide whether he stays in Columbus for the season or is sent back to Portland for another year of juniors. Last Sunday, after the Ottawa Debacle, and based on the limited amount of ice time that Arniel was giving the young phenom-in-waiting, I opined that it was looking more likely that a return to Portland was in the offing. Since that time, Johansen was given significant time on the second forward line. He also netted the game-winner last night against Anaheim on a slick backhand move that hinted at his immense upside as a playmaker. In fact, he has scored both game winners in the team's two wins. During the four games last week, RyJo averaged just over 13 minutes of ice time per game, an increase of more than 2 minutes per game over his first five games. So is Arniel easing him into the lineup for the long haul or was it RyJo's last chance to prove he belongs? And if the latter, did he make his case? Howson finds himself in a precarious position with respect to how this decision plays with the fan base. Sending Johansen down will be interpreted that the Blue Jackets are more concerned about the future than the present and are essentially cashing out this season. If that happens, the rumors of Arniel's (and possibly Howson's) impending demise will certainly reach a boiling point. For what it's worth, at least one blogger in Portland (where they have been following this matter closely) believes that RyJo can start looking for an apartment in Columbus.

How does 4-9-1 sound? That's as good as it can be a week from now with only two games on the schedule between now and then. On Thursday, the Jackets welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to Nationwide. The Leafs are one of the surprise success stories (so far) in the league and start the week with a 7-3-1 record while going 2-3-0 on the road. On Saturday the Jackets travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers (6-4-1 overall; 3-3-1 at home). Given that 1) the Jackets are riding a two game win streak at home (yeah, it feels strange to type that) and 2) Philly is encountering some goaltending issues that would make even Jackets fans cringe, a two game sweep for the week is certainly achievable.

There isn't going to be any kind of announcement for another month, but the Blue Jackets and their fans continue to monitor the ongoing discussion regarding NHL realignment. A proposal is gaining steam that would result in four conferences, inter-divisional playoffs in the first round and a lot less travel to the west coast for the CBJ.

Have a safe Halloween and a great (and winning) week!

Apocalypse Now

2011-10-30T09:22:00.000-04:00

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The end is near. Blue Jackets fans have been feeling that way for a couple of weeks when it comes to the team's chances of making the playoffs. But for coach Scott Arniel and his staff (and maybe even GM Scott Howson) the end might come as early as Monday.

The Dispatch's Aaron Portzline is reporting on his Puck-Rakers blog this morning that Blue Jackets President Mike Priest is on the verge of making big changes, possibly on Monday. Porty's report was quickly picked up by the Puck Daddy blog. It's really not a shock. A record of 1-9-1 is going to get you fired in rec league hockey, let alone the NHL.

Will Priest replace Howson with former Calgary GM Craig Button? Will he turn the reins back over to former Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock? Do either of these guys know how to walk on water? Stay tuned. It should be an interesting 48 hours or so.

Score the Assist to Number 3, Ryan Salmons

2011-10-25T23:36:00.001-04:00

Eric and Ryan, Wizmas 10/25/11

Like many Blue Jackets fans, I left Nationwiz on Tuesday night with an ear to ear grin. As I shuffled out of the nearest men's room and jostled for position toward the exit, I happened to bump into a friend of mine. He was wearing a Ryan Salmons jersey and for good reason. Eric was one of Ryan Salmons best friends. And then it occurred to me. Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Ryan Salmons. Duh . . . . . winning!

Much will be written about #Wizmas, the first NHL goals scored by Ryan Johansen and Johnnie Moore, and the gutsy performance turned in by the beleaguered Steve Mason. All of those contributed to one of the biggest and most desperately needed wins in CBJ history.

But I attended the game with my wife, who is a Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator at Ohio Health. The night belonged to her, all of her awesome colleagues and the cancer survivors to whom the game was dedicated. And to Ryan Salmons, one of the greatest Columbus Blue Jackets fans to ever carry the flag, who died of pediatric cancer at the age of nineteen.

The Blue Jackets needed a win on Hockey Fights Cancer Night. And they got one, with the help of an angel. Score the assist to number 3, Ryan Salmons.

Mental Monday (10/24/11)

2011-10-24T11:28:00.001-04:00

Words do not seem capable of conveying the shock, the disappointment and the resignation of Blue Jackets fans on this wet blanket of a Monday, a mere eight games into the season. Only in the weeks prior to the 2009-10 season, fresh from the franchise's first playoff appearance, had the buzz around this team ever peaked higher than it did just a month ago. And never has it wallowed as deep as where it is now. The sudden drop in altitude has left Blue Jackets fans reaching for their oxygen masks. (Remember, if you are travelling with children, put your mask on first!)

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/center&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

So, "wha happened?" The Dark Blue Jacket references the fact that although the Blue Jackets have the third largest payroll in the NHL, the players that they have been able to put on the ice would have the lowest payroll of any team at the moment. Injuries and Wiz's suspension are undoubtedly a big part of "wha happened." But there also seems to be a confidence void on this team that emanates from the back end and, although I haven't actually measured it, I would bet that it is roughly 48 inches high and 72 inches wide.

Here's a fair and objective breakdown of the State of the Union Blue from a Canadian perspective. I also like it because the author compares the Blue Jackets to a song by The Tragically Hip. I love The Hip.

Here's a very unfair and biased breakdown written by an Ottawa writer after Epic Meltdown 2. No mention of injuries, no mention of the pending deal to fix the Blue Jackets lease problems. The sharks smell blood in the water and they don't care about facts.

And for all you math nerds out there, here's a rather sobering breakdown of the Jackets dwindling playoff chances. If you are not into charts and graphs and such, here's all you need to know: the Blue Jackets now have only a 6.1% chance of making the playoffs. Or, as Mike LaFontaine (the character in the video clip above) would say, "I don't think soooooooooo!"

Having said all that, a week could make a big difference. At this time next Monday the Blue Jackets could be on a four game winning streak! That's right, the Jackets have four games in the next six days so there's plenty of opportunity to apply a tourniquet and stop the bleeding. To get to 4-7-1 the Jackets need to safely navigate through the following minefield:

Detroit (5-1-0) at home on Tuesday;
At Buffalo (5-2-0) on Thursday;
At Chicago (4-1-2) on Saturday;
Anaheim (4-3-0) at home on Sunday.

No worries, right?

Blue Jackets fans (or at least the ones still willing to admit to being one) have a strong sense of humor. We will march on. We will still Carry the Flag. And we will laugh. We would prefer laughing with the CBJ as opposed to at them, but either way we will laugh. So with that in mind, here are a few light-hearted links to help get you through a gloomy Mental Monday:

The CBJ Blog had one of the more sarcastic "Game Recaps" I've seen in a while after Epic Meltdown 2.
Mary over at Fire That Cannon is not going to let an eight game winless streak ruin Wizmas.
Welcome John Kemp to the CBJ bloggernet. To him, what is happening to the Jackets is Almost Laughable (With Tears).

Happy Monday everybody!