*Note: This was written December 23, 2022. Some holiday writing is being done at this time to rest up and have a mental break to come into 2023 with fresher and sharper articles for the calendar year.
If you’re reading this on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, have a wonderful, peaceful, safe, and healthy holiday season. *
The hockey holiday cheer is here, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are included to be participants. Despite the season and it being the Tim Burtin special, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, there are some gifts that will be given from Jolly Ole Me to the organization.
Ownership — Peace & Prayers
After seeing almost of the first half of the 2022-2023 NHL Regular Season completed, this group at the top of the helm may need this assurance note and word of affirmation that it will be alright.
There are the pieces here for there to be a contender now - Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine, and Zach Werenski. There is also pieces to build to the future — Kent Johnson, David Jiricek, Denton Mateychuk.
As long as there is trust in the process, there will be peace.
Management — Discipline
The structure is healthy with the management group of the Blue Jackets, including John Davidson and Jarmo Kekalainen. Sure, both should be on the hot seat given the performance of the on ice product they have built, but they must not have expected to use 10 rookies only 30 games into the season.
Getting risky may be the route they go, and having to obtain higher draft picks for rentals in Vladislav Gavrikov, Gustav Nyquist, and Joonas Korpisalo with retaining their salaries.
Figuring out the salary and future of Jakub Voracek and Elvis Merzlikins will be major questions and concerns come the offseason. Bringing back Alexandre Texier should be a high priority to help replace him and Nyquist.
Coaching Staff — Wisdom
This is in hopes to accelerate the staff and help the players.
I get it, the coaching staff works with what the management provides in regards to player personnel. They’re all qualified and experienced workers throughout the industry (trying to keep away from all pronouns and promote equality with generalized worker statement). Many have traveled the long roads and cold bus trips.
This team’s bench workers need the wisdom to help overcome the adversity faced from this season. The turnarounds, confidence, medical support, and player development are needed to help this team perform into 2023.
Roster Players — Medicine and Wellness
As easy as it would be to dream and gift a top three draft pick for the roster to have (2016 says hello), this team has too many injuries woes thus far into the season to gift anything else but.
Whether it be potions (Rip Ash Ketchum, yes I’m with the times), bubble wrap, stronger medication, or physical thearpy and wellness treatments, this young Columbus club needs every single physical resource to help then the misfortunes around.
As of today, they are without the services of forwards Yegor Chinakov, Cole Sillinger, Boone Jenner; and defenseman Nick Blankenburg for the next several days to weeks.
They are also without forwards Jakub Voracek and Justin Danforth; and defensemen Zach Werenski and Jake Bean for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season. Voracek, maybe forever.
This season, they have also seen injuries to forwards Patrik Laine, Kent Johnson, Jack Roslovic, Sean Kuraly; defensemen Erik Gudbranson and Adam Boqvist; and goaltenders Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins.
Any help for this team health wise is my gift for them.
What say you?
More to come…
Follow me on Twitter @ZakMacBuzz
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»