Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

What Have We Learned From 2 Preseason Games?

September 20, 2019, 9:31 AM ET [5 Comments]
Thomas Townsend
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
How much value to preseason games have? The NFL may do away with the preseason altogether. Spring training baseball is played in retirement communities for the generation past. But for die-hard hockey fans the preseason is an appetizer before the main course. Fans wait all summer, watch their teams sign (or in the case of the CBJ lose) free agents and opine about the kids that may make the jump this season. The same is true here in Columbus where the city makes is glacially slow movement toward becoming a hockey town. But what does 2 games, where few NHL regulars were featured, mean to this club. Almost NOTHING. And that is great. When the preseason has few surprises and very little to do with your team's roster for the upcoming season you may finally have a 'real hockey team.'

Don't look now but hockey experts may be underestimating this team in Columbus. This is a story we have all heard before. Torts and Jarmo are sick of hearing about those who left or don't want to come to Columbus. They want to focus on this team that is here now. Truth is they can bang that drum until they are blue in the face, but until they prove it on-ice, no one will believe.

Is there anything to have gained from the first two preseason games? Yes, of course there is. But not much that will have an immediate impact on this year's team. Between the pipes has shaped up pretty much how most thought it would. Elvis and Korpi have looked like the two who will emerge as the goaltending tandem this season. Young skaters likely to make the team are a short list and exactly who was projected: Bemstrom, Texier, Gavrikov.

There has been one 'unexpected' development. Sonny Milano is playing like an NHLer. He has 70 games of NHL experience so it shouldn't be that unexpected. After playing 55 games in 2017-2018 (and scoring 14 goals) his step backward in 2018-2019 was odd. He only skated 8 games with the CBJ and it was unclear as to the source of his regression. Was it attitude, a clash with Torts, other players edging him out for playing time? Who knows? But he seems to leave no question this season with his on-ice performance in the preseason. His recent play will give him value in Columbus or elsewhere this season. Maybe his publicized off-season, off-ice altercation (or whatever it was) helped him learn life-lessons and allowed him to understand his window for hockey is short. Whatever it is I am rooting for him, good luck Sonny.

Thanks for reading.
Join the Discussion: » 5 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Thomas Townsend
» Eichel to Columbus? I've heard crazier things...I guess
» Everything Must GO!
» Laine Debate
» Does Tarasov make Elvis expendable?
» Up and Back Down