Just saw McKeen's top 30 for December posted over on HF and wanted to share here:

Unlike ISS, McKeeen's has Yakupov at the top of their charts.  

If you go by both ISS and McKeens there seems to be a clear cut top 4 of Yakupov, Grigorenko, Forsberg and Murray.  

Of note is defensemen Matt Dumba, whom ISS had at #5 on their list, is all the way down to 12 on this one.

It will be interesting to see where all of these players stack up come the January rankings post World Junior Championships.

Just a reminder that the WJCs start the day after Christmas.  Blue Jackets fans will want to pay extra close attention to this tourney this year for two reasons:

1. We are all but guaranteed a shot at one of these top 5 prospects so keep a close eye on Yakupov (Russia), Grigorenko (Russia), Forsberg (Sweden) and Murray (Canada).

2. Jackets' prospects Bonne Jenner (Canada), TJ Tynan (USA) and Anton Forsberg (Sweden) will all be playing in this tourney.  Lukas Sedliak and Petr Straka are on the Czech Republic's preliminary roster but haven't been officially confirmed.

Something else of note -- Jenner, Tynan, Sedliak and Forsberg were all CBJ picks from this past draft in 2011.  This tournament will be a great development opporunity for them.  Heck, it's a great sign that all these guys even made their respective country's teams!

Full rosters found here.

Full WJC sched found here.

Full NHL Network WJC sched found here.

If you don't have the NHL Network and/or are just lookin for an excuse to get away, the R Bar will be televising all WJC games they get access to.

-LTL

With 10 goals in 33 games, Rick Nash ranks 81st in the league in NHL goal scoring.

With 7 goals in 22 games, Jeff Carter ranks 154th in the league in NHL goal scoring.

A lot of folks talk about the defense being the issue with this team (and it has it's share of blame)...  To me, when your two highest paid offensive players, players that TSN ranked in the top 50 OVERALL in this leauge, contribute a lousy 17 goals nearing the halfway point you've got a major problem.

Both players have been MASSIVE choke jobs and quite frankly my patience with Rick Nash leading this team to any place other than golf courses in April has run out.  Enough of this bullshit about Nash being "hockey in Columbus".  At this pace, there won't be any Blue Jackets fans left in Columbus to care.

Speaking of Carter, the trade demand just won't go away.  Check out these comments from Pierre LeBrun in his chat yesterday:

Pierre LeBrun (2:35 PM)

He didn't want to go there and he's not overly pleased he's still there but he's doing his job like the pro he is right now

Tim (England)

What do you believe is the real story with Jeff Carter and the Bluejackets? Also if Carter did want a trade away what do you think the Jackets would want/get in return?

Pierre LeBrun (2:35 PM)

sorry the last answer was for this question

There is no question in my mind that Carter wants out (hell, he never wanted in) despite what is said publicly by he or Howson.

Here's the thing, no way Howson will trade him which would be the ultimate admittance of failure.  Howson will have to go before Carter would get his wish.

Rick Nash's -18 is 778th worst in the league in +/-.  Only Eric Stall's -21 is worse.

Not to worry as Nash has company.  James Wisniewski is -17 which ranks 777th.

In fact, the Jackets have 5 of the worst +/- in the bottom 23 of the league in Nash, Wiz, Letestu, Brassard and Clitsome.

Some say +/- doesn't matter and on some levels I can see that argument -- but when you are THIS bad and are out there for THIS many goals against it is a direct reflection on your defensive play. 

Some good news in terms of our lovable losers staying in town for the foreseeable future.

The Franklin County Commissioners unanimously approved the deal that allows the city to purchase Nationwide Arena.

So now that the arena problem is well on it's way to being fixed, time to fix the team that occupies said arena.

As this season drags on I keep coming back to this plan once the season ends.  Because I fully believe there will be major consequences for this E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event) disaster.  

If this can't change the culture then I don't know what can.

1. Priest, Howson and Arniel are out.

2. Craig Patrick named President.  If he isn't interested, Craig Patrick given the responsibility to hire new President and GM. This is by far the most important step in this plan.  This team needs a rebuild plan and an identity and that starts right here.

3. Team is gutted with Rick Nash and Jeff Carter traded to the highest bidder for mix of players/picks/prospects prior to draft.  Yes I know Nash has a NTC but I have no doubt he'd waive it.  I also clear out any other veteran who is not on board with the rebuild.

4. Use this draft as the first step in the rebuild process.  The team is all but guaranteed a top 5 pick, hopefully it's a top two.  Don't stop there - get your hands on at least one more, if not two more, 1st round picks and trade up into that top 10 for another shot at a blue chipper.  This year's #1 picks, Johansen, Moore, Atkinson, Kubalik, Jenner, plus whatever we can get for Nash/Carter are the future.

5. New President/GM decide what to do with the remaining players.  Who fits the plan?  Who doesn't?  Who can they move?  Who can't they move?  

6. Cut the cord with Mason.  Waive him.  Trade him.  Send him to the minors.  Whatever it takes as long as he's not the #1 starter on this team next season.  Bring in a couple of reliable, if unspectacular, vets to man the net next season.  It won't take much to improve what we've gotten in that position the past couple of years.  Sanford has already shown that.

7. With Nash and Carter's money off the books, look to see what is available in free agency.  The more "Prospal-types" this team can bring in to show these young players what it takes to be a pro the better.  In fact, I'd be more than open to resigning Vinny but I highly doubt the feeling is mutual.  At the tail end of his career the guy wants to win and I don't blame him.

This rebuild does not have to be a long and painful process (see Florida Panthers) but it has to be done right.  For instance we CANNOT miss on our #1 picks.  It just CANNOT happen.  That all starts with making sure we don't miss at hiring the right guys at the top.

Here are some rapid fire stats of how some former Jackets are doing around the league:

VORACEK 
33GP 5G 16A 21P +7

KLESLA
27GP 1G 5A 6P +7 

HEJDA
35GP 3G 7A 10P -15 

TORRES
34GP 4G 4A 8P +2

UPSHALL
15GP 1G 2A 3P -2

LEPISTO
10GP 0G 0A 0P +4

RUSSELL
18GP 3G 1A 4P +2

STRALMAN
8GP 0G 1A 1P +3

MURRAY
28GP 1G 2A 3P +4

MOREAU
28GP 1G 3A 4P -3 (WAIVED) 

Couple of comments:

* Voracek is producing about what I expected and is on pace for 51p this season.  His 21 points would put him 3rd on scoring on this team.  Then again, would he have 21p if he played here? Highly doubtful.

* Russell's point production has cooled off tremendously since right after the trade.  It now looks like typical Russell production.  Contrast that to Nikitin who has 1G 11A for 12P in 25G.  All points have come post trade for the CBJ.

* Jan Hejda a -15 -- ouch.

* Looks like typical Klesla production for Phoenix.  Good to see he's stayed relatively healthy this year.

* I look at this list and don't wish we had any of these players back.

Boys at Nashville tonight.  The Preds are a team right on that playoff bubble sitting one point behind 8th place.  Certainly they are lookin at this as a 'must win'.

Last game for the CBJ until after the Christmas break.

-LTL

I'm about to fire up the DVR to watch the Jackets/Blues game from Sunday as I was out of town.  Before I do that I wanted to share an email from Shane that I found interesting and hope you do as well:

LTL, 

Shane again. I came across two quotes I thought you would find interesting. They have the following in common: attitude. One quote disgusts me. The other I find empowering. Should the Jackets choose to abandon the attitude surrounding "quote number one", and subsequently adopt the attitude surrounding "quote number two", imagine where this team (and this organization) could be today. I feel attitude is something the Jackets could work on; hell even a lot of fans need to change their attitude. 

The first quote comes from, Mike, an employee at Nationwide Arena. He overheard the Jackets' equipment staff talking about the team and the upcoming game (tonight) against St. Louis. The conversation was decidedly negative as Mike heard one of the staffers say this trip to St. Louis is "a waste of time". I understand people need jobs, but attitudes such as this have no place on this team. Stop working for the team if it's all a "waste of time". I get that same feeling from our boys on the ice this season: a feeling of, "we're probably going to lose, so this game is 'a waste of time'". Granted, they have picked things up recently (even though they're not winning a lot), but overall I get a feeling of "what's the point?". The attitude and culture in the locker room and elsewhere simply have to change.

The second quote comes from Peter Loviolette, the Flyers head coach. Its simplicity, and profoundness blew me away. This is from the "24/7: Flyers/Rangers" special about the road to the Winter Classic airing on HBO. Maybe you saw this, maybe not, but it's a hell of a good special. I digress. Peter had this to say about attitude and expectations, "I think that when you enter a season, if your expectation isn't to win a Stanley Cup you've already sold your team short; you've already sold your expectations short." Pretty heavy, right? I would argue that every single person in the Flyers organization from the top to the fans in the nosebleeds expect greatness of their team year in, and year out. I believe this attitude, this outright belief that their team can and should win, drives them to be a perennial contender.

Imagine if this attitude could be adopted by the Jackets. We're too used to losing; we're too used to no accountability for screw-ups. It seems most fans' expectations are to make the playoffs, and maybe that is okay (or at least realistic for the next few years), but imagine if the whole culture could change. Look at the Florida Panthers for Pete's sake! Imagine if we (the fan base as a whole) loved our team so much that we packed the Arena every night and made it truly terrifying for opposing teams (and opposing fans) to show their soon-to-be-pummeled faces and egos in our building. Imagine if we just changed the culture. *Steps off soap box*

Hope you're well, LTL. Go Jackets.

-Shane-

I think the fans have tried to do their part.  Heck, with crowds of 16108, 16090, 15808, 18175 and 13852 over the past 5 game home stand, the fans somehow continue to come out.  As one of my buddies put it, not even Canadian markets would contiue to show up with this much losing.  Heck, look at Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Chicago and now Dallas this year -- all were or are currently ghost towns after a couple years in the basement.

It truly is astonishing the attitude and expectations from one franchise to another though.  There is NO WAY a franchise like Philly would put up with any of this garbage that CBJ fans have put up with for a decade.

That is why all this talk about firing Arniel doesn't do a thing for me.  IMO we are way past the point of a coaching change having any kind of significant or lasting impact.

It all starts when ownership raises their expectations, changes their attitude and holds everyone accountable.  We will know when that happens when Priest, Howson and then Arniel will have to pack their bags. Look, I don't want folks to lose jobs but what else can be done?  This thing has got to be blown up.

...and if any significant changes do occur, I don't expect them until the offseason.

Regardless, it all starts at the very top and perhaps I'm being naive here, but there absolutely has to be wheels churning in the background.  As I've stated numbers times before, nobody likes pissing away 62 million dollars.

How's this for a wake up call -- thus far the Jackets have only grabbed 33% of the total points available through 33 games played.

At that clip, the Jackets are on pace to grab a total of 54 points this season.  That would make this season the WORST of their 11 year on ice history.

Yes, even worse than the 2001-2002 season when they went 22-47-8-5 for a total of 57 points.  

That is what 62 million is buying this ownership group.  Most, including myself, never saw this coming but here we are and there has got to be consequences.  

Thanks for the email Shane!

-LTL

The yo-yo has enjoyed many periods of popularity throughout world history and may be the second oldest toy in the world (after dolls). There are ancient Greek yo-yos made of terra cotta in museums in Athens and yo-yos are pictured on the walls of Egyptian temples. The Yo-Yo is known to have been popular with such important warriors as Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington. First patented in 1866 by James L. Haven and Charles Hettrich, the Yo-Yo has enjoyed periods of popularity for generations with kids from 1 - 100.

After yet another 1 goal loss, I'm sure where to go with this one.  Are we just getting strung along? Is this just the ups/downs (mostly downs) of an NHL regular season? Is our dog getting walked?

All I know is we just lost another game at home -- putting us at 1-3-1 on this 5 game home stand.  They play their next 8 of 10 on the road. Yeah, ugly has a real good chance at getting uglier.

1. A great crowd tonight but none were better than the "Santas" who made Nationwide Arena a stop on their Columbus crawl list:

2. Not enough scoring  Suspect goaltending. Special teams not much of a factor although RJ did get a PPG.  Winse, wash, repeat.

3. Very well done ceremony for Vinny Prospal celebrating his 1000th game in the NHL.  Nice touch with Tampa's Lecavalier presenting him with a Lightning jersey.  As for Prospal himself -- another solid game and a two point night.  How bad would this team's offense be without Vinny?  He's always setting the table for these guys.  He's so good digging pucks out of the corners and does he ever make a bad decision?  I cannot tell you how impressed I've been across the board with this guy.

4. I like the way John Moore is being brought along this season.  He isn't lighting it up offensively yet, but he's been very steady in his own end and that is how he will gain confidence in this league.  We saw some glimpses last night of what he will be able to bring once his game is turned loose.  His skating truly is world class and he unleashed it a bit in this game.  I think the points will start coming if/when he gets some PP time.  

5. Kyle Turris traded to Ottawa for David Runbland and a 2nd rd pick.  A little disappointed we couldn't move Brassard for him but not the end of the world.  What this trade does do is set the market for Brassard as I think both of the players are VERY similar.  Just check out this description of Turris from Forecaster:

ASSETS: Has excellent scoring instincts, both as a triggerman and playmaker. Displays solid two-way upside, as well. Is also a talented, effortless skater.

FLAWS: Needs to continue adding more bulk in order to fulfill his potential; he must prove he can overcome the physical rigors of the NHL. Can be overpowered in heavy traffic areas.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Skilled center with good upside. 

Now check this one out on Brassard:

ASSETS: Skates well and possesses plenty of scoring instincts. Can excel at both ends of the ice, and is a determined athlete. Owns leadership qualities.

FLAWS: Must learn to shoot more. Needs to continue adding more strength to fully maximize his vast potential. Has had his bouts with injuries.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Talented, but inconsistent forward with upside.

Now Brass is a couple years older and makes 1.8 mil more so that will have to be accounted for in any deal and makes him less attractive.

A bigger concern is that a little birdie told me Craig Patrick was not aware of who David Runbland was.  And this guy is supposed to do what exactly for us again? <sigh>

6. Wiz with the unsportmanlike.  @En4cer45 informed me via twitter it was because he called the ref a stupid MFer.  I see refs getting chirped by players/coaches every single game yet Wiz get's a minor for that?  The ironic part is the Jackets seemed to have more scoring chances short handed than they did on the PP.

EXTRA SHOTS:
Apparently the only way this team can score is on the wrap around.  Not sure how Umberger tucked his in but it was a great play.  Ryan Johansen is pointless in his last 10 games.  Cam Atkinson with his 14th goal as Springfield won in a shootout.  More lightning fans in the house than I thought there would be.  Danic Kevin with "Nashing Through The Snow" on his belly -- well done.  Mason has got to stop that shot from Brewer.  It's those kinds of goals that are back breakers and cause the team to lose confidence in you. He got stronger as the game went on but if I recall correctly he let in 2 goals off the first 6 shots.  Anaheim continues to give the Jackets some major competition for worst team in the league as they lost again last night as well.  Both teams have played 32 games and are separated by just 1 point.  I've been to 11 home games this year and have yet to see a win.  I think this team is telling me somethin.

Tonight the Jackets roll into St. Louis to pay their old buddy Hitch a visit.  The Blues are coming off an SO loss to Nashville last night.

-LTL

Just a quick post here to point out that the International Scouting Service has released their top top 30 for December.

Here is their top 10:

1. Grigorenko, Mikhail, RW 5/16/94 L 6.03.25 200 Québec QMJHL
2. Yakupov, Nail, LW 10/6/93 L 5.10.5 189 Sarnia OHL
3. Forsberg, Filip, RW 8/13/94 R 6.01 176 Leksands SweAl
4. Murray, Ryan, LD 9/27/93 L 6.00.5 201 Everett WHL
5. Dumba, Matt, RD 7/25/94 R 5.11.75 183 Red Deer WHL
6. Trouba, Jacob, RD 2/26/94 R 6.02 196 USA Under-18 NTDP
7. Gaunce, Brendan, C 3/25/94 L 6.02 215 Belleville OHL
8. Aberg, Pontus, LW 9/23/93 R 5.11 187 Djurgarden SweE
9. Rielly, Morgan, LD 3/9/94 L 5.11.5 190 Moose Jaw WHL
10. Ceci, Cody, RD 12/21/93 R 6.02.5 207 Ottawa OHL

The top 4 will be participating in this year's WJCs which kick off December 26th.  We'll all want to keep our eyes on Team Russia to see how Grigorenko (pictured above) and Yakupov perform.

The rankings post-WJC will tell us a lot about the front runners as there is a ton of stock put into that tournament.

-LTL

For those still looking for a few CBJ presents to tuck under your tree, I got the following email from Shane: 

LTL, since you like to post CBJ sales, here's a picture from Target in the "Fan Central" section. TONS of cool kid/some adult gear. Reasonably priced, too.

This pic is from the Target "Lennox" location.

If anyone else out there finds any other good deals on CBJ swag, be sure to pass along and I'll post!

Another NHL coach has bitten the dust.  The Montreal Canadiens have fired Jacques Martin.  That makes 6 of the league's 30 coaches, or 20%, that have been canned before the halfway point.

For CBJ fans, the obvious question that comes to mind after yet another firing is how does a team that is 13-12-7 fire it's head coach but a team that is 9-18-4 does nothing?

It's all about expectations.

I said this in an earlier post and I'll say it again. What good does firing just Scott Arniel do at this point?  

Nothing.  

It's like trying to break down a steel door with a paint brush when nothing less than a bulldozer will do the trick.

If they just fire Arniel, it's the same folks hiring a new coach and the circle of suck continues to go round.  I can't be the only one who sees that our problems are a lot broader than just handing Scott Arniel his walking papers.

If they wanted a short term fix to try to save the season Arniel should have been the first coach fired this year, not the seventh.  Now, according to Sports Club Stats, we have a .09% of making the playoffs.

At this stage, it's ride out the season time.  That, or the axe trick which I don't see happening mid-season.

For the current hockey operations staff...  It's evaluate.  Scout.  Prepare for the trade deadline.

For ownership, they need to evaluate if they want to continue to hitch their wagon to this group.  I still think Craig Patrick was a step in this evaluation.  I highly doubt any organization will let them interview assistant GMs at this stage so for now, it's either continue to have faith in this group or make your offseason wishlist of qualified candidates and check it twice.

I know what my answer would be if I burned 62 million to get just 22 out of 62 possible points (or 35%) 31 games into the season.  A season that has for all intents and purposes, seen the CBJ eliminated from playoff competition by Thanksgiving.

But that's just me.

Tonight is game 5 of the 5 game home stand versus a 13-16-2 Tampa squad.  A squad that made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last year but has struggled this year under 2nd year coach Guy Boucher.  The same Guy Boucher who spurned Howson's offer to coach the Jackets in favor of Tampa last year.

The Jackets are 1-3 in this home stand but should put up a pretty good fight against this Tampa team who is just 5-11-2 on the road.

C-ya there as I'm hoping I'll finally get to see my first home win live.  It's always a treat to watch a guy like Steven Stamkos go to work.

So let's go Jackets.  Let's send Guy Boucher on his way with another loss.

-LTL

The earliest versions of the Sorry game were played in England in the early 1930s. It was seen as a variation of Parchessi, a very popular game from India. Americans started to enjoy Sorry and it was adopted by Parker Brothers in 1934. It has remained a popular board game and has been played by generations of Americans, as well as board gamers worldwide.

After yet another 1 goal loss, I'm sorry this post is going to sound like a broken record.

1. The one thing I'm NOT sorry about is what a KICK ASS job game ops has done this season.  The days of being an AHL operation - at least in terms of the game presentation - appear to be over.  The replays last night were absolutely fantastic and I was told via twitter from the new game ops coordinator Derek Dawley that we have Jeff Coltoniak (follow him @JeffColtoniak) to thank for that.  LOVED the replay of the controversial non call on the interference on that first Kings' goal.  Really got the crowd into it and that is the key.  Focus on the game and show those controversial calls/non-calls.  @CBJ_DJ is doing a terrific job cranking out the tunes as well.  Keep it up guys!  We definitely notice!

2. I'm sorry this team can't score.  Same ole story.  If my math is correct (which is always a crap shoot), that was the 20th game the Jackets have scored two regulation goals or less.

3. I'm sorry the guys that get paid to score the big goals can't score the big goals.  I know Carter got that fluke goal but he (or Nash, Wiz, Umberger, etc) get paid the big bucks to score a late goal to tie that thing up and it just isn't happening with any regularity.

4. I'm sorry our PP sucks.  The Jackets had three chances on the PP to get a goal and zip.  In fact they only generated 4 total shots on those chances.  The Jackets PP is ranked 26th for a reason.  But hey, at least the PK didn't give up a goal. It is now up from to the 28th worst PK in the league. Woot!

5. I'm sorry Curtis Sanford's great performance was wasted.  Guy stopped 39 of 41 shots and gave this team every chance to win.  Glad Arniel gave him the start however.  

6. I'm sorry this game lived up to expectations.  It looked like the Jackets were playing a mirror of themselves out there.  Kings' deserved to win and dominated (like the Jackets have done often this season) but, like the Jackets, can't seem to manufacture goals.  Their two goals were good enough on this night however. 

EXTRA SHOTS:
Jackets did get a bit of a screw job on that interference call but when you can't score does it really matter?  Prospal and Nikitin with more points.  Prospal continues to lead the team in points with 24 in 31 games.  Speaking of Prospal -- we need him to keep playing well and to stay healthy so he drives up his value at the deadline.  There will be a lot teams lining up (and rightfully so) to add this guy to their roster for the playoffs.  Will hate to see him go.  Brass on the 1st PP unit?  Yeah, I think it's very safe to say he's being showcased.  Craig Patrick in the house last night (thanks for the info Hitch Rules) - would love to be fly on the wall to hear his unfiltered thoughts on this squad. Marc Methot is playing some OUTSTANDING defensive hockey.  Had a team high 7 hits.  Great play to break up that 2 on 1 as well.  For whatever reason, he really seemed to elevate his game once paired with Wiz.  Would rather have Bass in this lineup than Byers.  57% in the dot but didn't translate into anything.  Reading that a lot of folks calling for Arniel's head -- what's the point?  That's like cutting the tail off a snake.  If/when changes are to be made they must be much broader than a coach getting fired.  Jackets remain in their cozy spot in the NHL standings' basement.   

I leave you with the following question that won Matt the Mask-less this prize (complete with magnet, sharpie, chapstick and coozie) from FS Ohio last night:

What CBJ player holds the record for most PIMS in a game?

A. Mike Sillinger
B. Duvie Westcott
C. Jody Shelley
D. Ron Hainsey

The answer will eventually air on a CBJ post game show but first one to answer right here (with opponent and date of game) gets a good game from yours truly!

Now that is a prize worth winning!

-LTL

The Red Ryder BB gun was available beginning in 1938 and for many years afterward (and indeed, still is), but never in the exact configuration mentioned in the film. The Daisy "Buck Jones" model did have a compass and a sundial in the stock, but these features were not included in the Red Ryder model.^[11]The compass and sundial were placed on Ralphie's BB gun but on the opposite side of the stock due to Peter Billingsley being left-handed.

I considered a lot of other classic Christmas toys for this game but kept comin back to the ole Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.  I mean, after the Jackets used Luongo for target practice in the shootout was there any other option?  Hell, the only thing they didn't shoot out was his eye!

Ralphie would be proud.

1. My first beer goes to the bottom six - specifically the Boll-Letestu-Johnson line.  The Jackets owned the 1st period but were getting absolutely dominated by the Canucks for the first half of the 2nd.  Then these guys came out and single handily changed the momentum of this game.  They hit the ice like they were shot out of the cannon and then hit every thing with a C shaped whale thingy on it.  Not much ice time for Johnson or Boll but they made a huge impact with that one shift and that is what a 4th line is supposed to do.

2. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't think these guy had a chance in this game but overall just a solid effort all the way around.  They weren't going to outscore/outskill the Canucks so they had to shut them down.  Everybody did their jobs.  I thought the team defense really limited quality chances against - especially 2nd and 3rd opportunities.  Goaltending was there when the team needed it to be.  Special teams were great.

3. Could this game be the confidence boost that is needed for Steve Mason?  Time will tell.  For this game anyways, he was solid stopping 30 of 31 shots including all 7 on the Canucks #1 ranked PP.  I was especially impressed with his rebound control and his glove was pretty good (nice snag on Sedin on the PP).  One thing I didn't like, is that he is still over-committing on plays.  He got away with it in this game but needs to clean that up.  All in all very good showing and I was impressed to see him get back in there after his injury.

4. Special teams did their job in this game.  The league's worst PK kept the league's best PP off the board despite the Jackets giving them 5 chances.  The ability to kill those off was the biggest factor in this win IMO.  The PP did a decent job getting a goal as well.  It's a good thing as well b/c other than that play, it was a wreck most of the night.

5. Shootout.  I'm used to see the Jackets getting 3 for 3 scored on them so when we do it to someone else -- I have to watch it a couple of times before I finally believe it.  Letestu, Nash and Wiz were all money.  The scored in 3 different ways.  Letestu right and high.  Nash left and low.  Wiz right and low.  Just damn fine shootin' by all 3 of these guys.  The Jackets are now 3-3 in the shootout this season which is 4th best in the NHL.  They won just 5 last year and lost 8. 

6. While the guys plucked eyes out of eagles at night in the shootout, overall the offense continues to fire blanks.  Just one stinkin goal -- one.  It's been clear for a while that this team is going to have to win games the hard way (ie low scoring, hard checking mistake free Hitch hockey) but with guys like Nash and Carter in this lineup it just baffles my mind how they can't manufacture more goals.

EXTRA SHOTS:
Carter starting to heat up...finally.  That is 3 goals in the past 3 games.  Of all the celebs you would have guessed to travel to watch Carter play -- who would have guessed Kevin Harvick?  Tyutin and Wiz combined for 13 of the 30 shots.  Never would have thought I'd be worried about Nikita Nikitin going down with an injury but that dude has been our best dman. Glad to see him get back in there. How did that trip on Nash go undetected? Team fought through another bad call.  Wiz now with 16 points in 22gp good for 3rd best on the team. Grant Clistome is pointless in his past TWELVE games -- need to git sum points GC!  Decent crowd of 15,808 in the house for this one --- hey, all you can eat night packs em in!  Glad to see this team not only deliver the fried goods, but also two points!

Finally, with the win, the Jackets are no longer the worst team in the NHL.  That honor now falls to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Jackes are now 1-2 on this home stand.  Next up is the Kings on Thursday.

-LTL

Don't look now but 22 year old Cam Atkinson is now 6th in rookie scoring in the AHL with 19 points in 23 games.  Even better are his 12 goals rank 3rd in overall rookie goal scoring and 11th overall in overall AHL goal scoring.

Some folks may want to call him up but I say leave him down, let him dominate the AHL so he hits the big club with maximum confidence next year.

With Prospal and Huseilus likely gone there will be no shortage of open wing vacancies in this lineup.  We need this kid to fill one of them.  But more importantly, we need him ready to fill one of them.

Got sent the following link from Hitch Rules.  It's Garrioch but still interesting:

The self-imposed holiday roster freeze for Brian Burke kicked in Friday, but the Maple Leafs GM might be willing to make moves once it’s lifted. The Leafs could be looking for help in the middle, especially with Tim Connolly struggling with injuries. Columbus C Derick Brassard could be an option. League sources say Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson was spotted at the Marlies game last Saturday in Toronto. Apparently, he was in the corner and didn’t want to be noticed. Brassard has a cap hit of $3.2 million for the next two seasons, so Howson can’t afford to let coach Scott Arniel bury Brassard on the fourth line or in the press box much longer. The situation is going to come to a head and Brassard could certainly make sense for the Leafs ...

The very first thing I thought of when Arniel inserted Brassard into the top 6 was he is being showcased.  This leads some credence to that.

I have no idea what went wrong with Brassard this year.  I thought he came off a decent season last year and quite frankly I thought this could be his break out season.

Man, was I wrong.

Brassard has always been one of my favorite Jackets but man crush aside, Garrioch is right -- we cannot have a 3.2 million dollar player sitting in the press box.

There is no question in my mind he's on the block and in this case, I think Howson is smart to bide his time.  I mean, the season was toast 15 games ago so making a panic now move to try to save it would be absolutely pointless.

Instead, the smart play is to dangle him to a team that is in panic mode now to see if we can get an overpayment.  This could be teams that are on the bubble and need a shakeup.  Could be teams that have already made a coaching change but still need a shakeup (Washington?).

Brassard has value out there although I'm glad Howson didn't pull the trigger on Kaberle and the 2nd.  I was a Kaberle fan but his game has really hit the skids.  The last thing we need right now is another card carrying member of club CBJ with a bad contract.

Howson being spotted in Toronto makes some sense as they are starting to slide and may want to shake things up themselves.  Some have mentioned Kadri but I think the target has to be 22 year old dman Luke Schenn.  We would have to add more -- perhaps Brassard + Goloubef?  Brassard + 2nd?

Remember we should be able to recoup some of those draft picks at the deadline by selling off Prospal (cringes me to say that), Juice and Pahlsson among others. 

Garrioch also comments about the long suffering fans in Columbus (what's left of em) and how there have been no changes (outside of hiring Patrick) to the worst team in the Western Conference.

Speaking as one of the "what's left of em" -- you're preaching to the choir my man.. Preachin to the choir.

This hasn't gotten nearly enough play in my mind but FSN Ohio has renewed their contract with the Blue Jackets.

No terms were released which is a bummer.

I had heard numerous times that this current deal was negotiated by Doug MacLean.  I also heard that he pretty much gave the broadcast rights away.

Hopefully the CBJ brass were able to negotiate a better deal this time around -- although they certainly don't have a lot of leverage given their lack of on-ice success.

One thing that seems to be clear is FSN Ohio has increased their overall coverage of CBJ which has included broadcasting all 79 of their telecasts in HD.  Got to think that was all part of this package that was just announced.  At the very least, an incentive to get this package completed.

Mason gets the start tonight.  No question it's time to give Sanford a rest but that rest my be short lived.  Mason draws the second highest scoring team in the league in Vancouver.  They are avergaing 3.31 goals per game. 

The Jackets?  Well they are the 4th lowest scoring team in the NHL with just 2.38 goals per game.

Doubt this team can outscore the 'nucks.  Problem is I doubt they can out defend em either.

But, that is why they play the game.

So Nikita Filatov is leaving on a jet plane back to the KHL.  No real shock there but you can't really blame Ottawa for taking a flyer on him with a 3rd rd pick.

To say we won this trade with Ottawa is short sighted.  We essentially got a 3rd round pick (TJ Tynan) for a 6th overall pick.  No matter which way you want to spin it - that is a complete fail.

To lesson the blow, hopefully we can get some kind of NHL production from Tynan down the road.  He's having a great year at Notre Damn (20gp 27pts) and will play for the US in the WJC which is a postive.

Speaking of the World Junior Championships, that tournament is right around the corner.  It is scheduled to start December 26th and end January 6th in Calgary/Edmonton Alberta.  Jackets fans will want to pay close attention given the likelihood we'll be picking in the top 5 as this is THE tournament for the top prospects to make a statement.

Teams haven't been annoucned (that I'm aware of) but these names are likley.  Nail Yakupov and Mikhail Grigorenko for Russia.  Ryan Murray (if he's healthy enough to play) and Mathew Dumba for Canada.  Filip Forseberg for Sweden.

Believe it or not, the Jackets still have yet to be shut out this season and tonight will be game #30. They were shut out in game #24 last year on December 3rd at Buffalo as the Sabers smoked em 5-0.

I would say I hope I didn't jinx em but does it really matter? 

This mock draft has us taking Mikhail Grigorenko (50pts in 32gp) 1st overall.  This one still has us taking Nail Yakupov.

Terry Murray has been fired by the Kings.  That makes 5 coaches canned and we aren't even at the halfway point.  The Jackets will get a sniff of that new coach smell on Thursday.

Good read here about Ohio approving the 10 million dollar loan for Nationwide Arena.  We may stink but it's lookin very good that we'll get to keep our stinker for a long time!  

Your Columbus Blue Jackets presented by... Right Guard Sport?

I'll leave you with this hilarous pic sent in by BHG.  The focus here shouldn't be the guy in the black with his arms out -- no, it should be on the lady behind the guy with his arms out.  That is Derek Dorsett's grandma "displaying" her displeasure after that horse shit goalie interference penalty on her grandson.

Like grandmother, like grandson?

Let's see what the Jackets have in store for us tonight!

-LTL

Here is a great pic of Dorsett suffering his injury courtesy of leesmith over on HfBoards.com:

Now here is the Bruins' announcer Jack Edwards on the abomination that was giving Dorsett a 2 min minor for trying to score in a game of ice hockey:

The good news?  Believe it or not, there actually is some for this squad.  According to Howson's twitter, this injury is not as bad as it first appeared.  Dorsett is day to day.

-LTL