Get the Puck Outta Here!!!!

Listening to the Post Game Presser with Torts...He was honest. And he said something that made me think, that I need to start a list of some of his comments. I'm going to call them #Tortisms . He's a straight shooter, and ya gotta love him for that at the very least. The first #Tortism is "Gotta have some Skin". The question posed to him was about the booing that was raining down on the players during the game. He said that you have to get some skin to play in this league. You can't let them get to you (the players and coaches). They like it when they are winning, and the fans are cheering, so you have to be able to take the boos. And he repeated himself saying "You Gotta have some Skin". The whole presser, he was honest, didn't hold back, but did it in a respectful way. This is a breathe of fresh air, and even though the record is 2-3 with the new coach, I feel pretty positive about this team. They won't win every game from here on out. But...

Well, we are now 0-6-0. We haven't come close to a win. We seem to be feeding the notion that we are a joke of a team. We can't even get out of our own way. And now, the fanbase of the CBJ is turning on each other. Losing has a way of doing that to a fanbase. Yes, I agree that changes need to be made. What are those changes? Who is to say. Four days ago, as stated in this blog, I felt that firing Todd Richards would be a bad idea. I've soften that stance a bit, but I'm concerned that there won't be a good candidate to replace him. Also, how would the players respond? There are so many variables in this that it's hard for me to say what, if any changes, should be made. There have been confidence issues, that the CBJ Cannon spoke to at length here , and I happen to agree with his points. Sergei made mention he doesn't have any confidence in himself. The team itself doesn't have any confidence in itself, as evidence in last nights game in Chicago. Again...

The season has started for most teams. For the CBJ, it doesn't seem to have started as of yet. I'm concerned, like most fans, that this is indicative of another bad season. Our talent base is one of the best, if not the best, we've ever assembled. We, as fans, were hopeful, excited, and dreaming of a playoff run. Now, we just want to win a game. I know there are other teams that haven't one, including three other teams in our division. But, I'm not worried about those teams right now. I'm worried about my CBJ. One of my main issues I'm having right now, are all the people already calling for major changes. Some are asking for HCTR to be fired. Some are asking for trades and call-ups. I've even seen someone calling for Jarmo to be fired. I don't get it. Why is everyone wanting these drastic changes? Has it ever worked for other teams in the past? I'm dumbfounded by all of the comments. I've been a fan of the CBJ for a few years. I can...

So, we have five pre-season games in the books so far. I'm liking what I'm seeing so far. Campbell, who I'm more excited about, acquistion wise, is looking good. I haven't seen Saad yet (his first game was today), but I have high hopes that he is going to do well. That kid has some potential. Switching gears one of the prospects that stood out to me was Oleg Yevenko. He had a fight during the game on Tuesday evening, and he reminds me so much of Chara from the Bruins. Big, bruising, and ready to protect his teammates. I'm hoping that he finds his way back to the Blue Jackets. He is one player that I feel is ready for the big leagues. And, he moves well for a guy his size. Something to be said for that. Sonny Milano has impressed as well. He's had more game time, due to Saad's injury (puck to the face). This has given him some valuable ice time, and I think it's raised his stock. He seems to fit well with the team and has developed some chemistry with...

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!! PRE-SEASON HOCKEY STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!! No, I'm not excited at all. This is the best time of year. The leafs are starting to turn (and will still not make the playoffs), everyone is starting to wear sweaters (my fave is #71, but I'll wear any Union Blue past or present), and the gloves will be dropping again, along with the pucks. Our first pre-season game is against the dirtiest of the dirty birds, the team-that-shall-never-be-named, and the team of the Crysby. Kessel, Crybaby, and Malkin are not going to be there, according to the local press, as Kessel and Malkin are playing in their Tuesday game. Apparently, Crysby has a tear duct infection to deal with, and is day to day. I've been counting the days down to this event. This is our first step to a special season for us. With the addition of Saad and Campbell, and being healthy, we are looking at a season where teams are not looking forward to seeing the Union Blue on the other side. ...

It's been a week since Cannonfest 2015. People are getting excited about the upcoming season. The players are starting to come into town to start getting ready for camp. There is a chill in the air (right now anyway..it's going to get hot again). Did my first Fantasy draft today. Hockey season is coming. Cannonfest this year was head at Dick's Last Resort in the Arena District. It was a very warm day, definitely not hockey weather. It was well attended, and there were some familiar faces there, such as the Boone's Goons, CBJ Avengers, the Union Blue Soldiers, the CBJ Artillery, and the Monster's Jacket fan club, which represented the Lake Erie Monsters. I had the honor to help out at the Union Blue Soldiers table and help promote the March of the Union Army (Cheap Plug time) that will be held Opening Night, Friday, October 9th beginning at 5:30 in front of R Bar. You must be there if you are a CBJ fan, or a very confused Rangers fan (as if there is any other typ...

Seems like there is a lull. It's been a quiet hockey week. NHL.com posted some stories about our beloved CBJ last Saturday (that I've been kicking myself that I didn't repost them here last week), so for your re-viewing pleasure (if you haven't watched, your viewing pleasure), here is one of the stories , with a video overview from two guys at NHL.com about the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since it's a slow week, CBJ wise, I will use this time to talk about a March. No, not the month of March, but the March of the Union Army. The 2nd annual March of the Union Army  will happen the evening of October 9th, which just happens to be the opening night game of your.... COLUMBUS BLUUUUUE JACKETS!  It's as if the CBJ planned that for us...... Anyway, we will start off at the Patio of the R-Bar  around 5:30, and march to the Nationwide Arena. Last year's march was amazing, and this years is looking even better. This is a great way to show your CBJ Pride, march down th...

So...here we are. A new season is almost upon us. Does anyone know if the Blue Jackets did anything of note during the offseason? I can't seem to find anything on Facebook or Twitter about it....hmmm...strange. Makes me Saad.....but nothing that a Campbell soup can't fix..... Anyway, This upcoming season has playoffs written all about it. How do I know? Just read everything from what was published on NHL.com today about the Blue Jackets  to just about any blog or hockey site outside of Chicago has been posting about the CBJ. When they finished the season from Hell strong last year, it got noticed by the rest of the league. And not just the non-playoff teams. Even the "mighty" *enguins made a comment that our CBJ team is now "scary good". I'm betting Crysby is going to have pink eye in both eyes when they play us. Or, is did she buy a Dubi blowup doll to practice on? The world may never know... Brandon Saad is one of the reasons that many pundits beli...