The news broke yesterday that the Jackets will be televised on Versus 3 times next season. Not great but certainly better than the 1 time they were on last season.
After seeing their schedule I had to scratch my head wondering why the October 9th game against San Jose in Sweden is not televised on Versus? My next question was will Fox Sports pick it up?
I'm not sure about the "why" for Versus but according to Fox Sports press release they will not be picking up the second Sweden game.
As Portzline said via his twitter, looks like the Center Ice San Jose feed will be our only option -- that is if the San Jose's broadcast partner chooses to televise it.
That's good for puck geeks like me who subscribe to CI but a fail for the average fan out there who won't have a local option to watch the game.
The hunt may be on for a Swedish stream of this one. Either that or hit up your friendly R Bar!
Speaking of broadcasting games... it certainly appears the Jackets will not be streaming the preseason games. I don't get it. If you aren't going to televise them then at least stream em! I know they video tape these games for the coaches to review and such - just pipe into that.
Perhaps I'm making this too simple but how complicated can it be?
You know who got screwed on any national broadcast games? The Nashville Predators. They have just 1 game on Versus.
They are a big rival of ours and I like to talk shit about em -- but it's a shame a guy like Shea Weber isn't promoted more in this league. He's a flat out stud.
Someone/someway this team always finds a way to ice a competive product which I envy - you'd think they'd get more pub.
I'll tell ya one thing about Nashville -- no NHL road trip I've taken can rival those I've made down to music city. Such a good time before/during/after the game.
HIGHLY recommended.
Raffi Torres signed a 1 year 1 million dollar deal with the Canucks yesterday. Some may be wondering why the Jackets didn't sign him to that deal?
For one the last thing this team needs is another bottom 6 winger. Another is Howson already made his play for Ethan Moreau. Finally from everything I've read Torres wanted to sign with a Canadian team -- Toronto was his first choice but that obviously didn't work out.
That said if I could have a 28 year old Raffi Torres for a year at 1 million over a 34 year old Ethan Moreau for 1.8 give me Raffi Raffi sweeter than taffi.
The biggest factor in the Vancouver Torres signing is that they will no longer be looking for a bottom 6 forward in return for dman Kevin Bieksa. They are 3 plus million over the cap and certainly will look for cap relief in the form picks and prospects in return.
The Jackets have that return available but the question remains - would ownership be willing to shell out another 3+ mil that comes with taking on a Kevin Bieksa?
Quite frankly I wouldn't blame them if they didn't. As much as I'd love them to spend to the cap they have already spent 50+ million which should be plenty to ice a competitive team. The spotlight now shouldn't be on ownership financial commitment but on how Howson is spending that money.
Remember he's got 6.9 million tied up in Pahlsson/Moreau/Clark. Mike Commodore makes the most of any dman with 3.8 million yet as you will see below I have him on our 3rd pairing.
Called to get my group seats for opening night the other day. If you want a sign of how much of a struggle it's going to be to put butts in the seats this year here is an example -- I can get group of 10 or more seats just 6 rows up in the upper bowl.
To top it off instead of selling me on the Jackets they are trying to sell me that this game is "against the Blackhawks".
Will we ever get to the point where we can just sell people on the fact that they are seeing a quality winning squad in the home team?
This team needs to win in the worst way.
Remember with a new coaching staff will certainly bring with it different views on O lines and D pairings. Here is my guess at the Jackets lineup should the season start tomorrow:
Nash Vermette Voracek
Filatov Brassard Huselius
Umberger Pahlsson Moreau
Clark Murray Dorsett
Extra: Boll
Tyutin Hejda
Klesla Russell
Commodore Stralman
Extra: Methot
Mason
Garon
May be hard to shake the thought but Brassard, Voracek and Russell are no longer "young" players in this league. They may be young in age but both Brassard and Russell will be 4 year pros and Voracek will be on his 3rd year. No more "protecting" these players in the lineup.
Can't see playing Filatov any place but the top 6 to be effective. He's a skill player that needs skill. I like the idea of both Brassard and more importantly Huseilus creating space for Filatov and getting him the puck in shooting position. The problem is that line is softer than a roll of Charmin.
The fact that Umberger is so versatile hurts and helps him. There will always be a place in the lineup for him but because he's so versatile he is the logical choice to bump down to the 3rd line. Regardless of where he may start the season he'll see plenty of time in the top 6 and PP duty as the season plays out.
I think the top four D as it stands today will be Tyutin/Klesla/Hejda/Russell -- how those pairs shake out may differ from what I have listed.
I can also easily see Methot taking the place of Commodore if he doesn't get his act together this offseason and come to camp in shape.
I don't like to see Boll a scratch but I can't see Clark or Dorsett sitting and neither are centers.
As always - injuries can and will shake things up in a hurry. The good news is that I do believe there is some NHL quality depth in this organization that can fill those spots - at least in the bottom of the lineup - when the inevitable injury does occur.
-LTL
