Thomas Townsend: Everything Must GO!

Thomas Townsend: Everything Must GO!
- Thomas Townsend

I think Toews would rather stay on LTIR than play at this stage, his numbers for salary aren't on par and Hawks fans seemed delighted he was off the books.

The whole number one center thing will have to come through Laine, who I see as the only RFA dealt, they will give the bank to Jone's and maybe Werenski, I do expect either Merz or Korpi to be moved.

Eichel is the target in the off season!

Eichel is the target in the off season!
- HenryHockey

Or right now:
Elvis, Domi, your 2 new 1st rounders, and a B prospect

None of those guys are coming. Top line centers are drafted for the most part.

Why would the jets trade Sheifele? Not gonna happen for that what was proposed. LMAO

What about Torts? Does he stay or does he go? Do the fans still want him behind the bench?

I can see both sides of a pro-con argument for Torts, but if this recent trade flurry is a sign of a major retool/rebuild, then wouldn't it make sense to have a new bench boss?

What about Torts? Does he stay or does he go? Do the fans still want him behind the bench?

I can see both sides of a pro-con argument for Torts, but if this recent trade flurry is a sign of a major retool/rebuild, then wouldn't it make sense to have a new bench boss?
- GalacticStone

He's gone, thanks for 4 years of playoff hockey but he's eroded that dressing room.

Why would the jets trade Sheifele? Not gonna happen for that what was proposed. LMAO
- blodge4

This is a good point. Laine and him had limited chemistry in Winnipeg. How is it going to be better in Columbus?

Dear Patrik,
Nice goal last night ! See what happens when you move your feet !

Could Columbus get the #1 draft pick?

It might be possible:

Team---Points---Games left

7th from last CBJ---39---12
6th from last LAK---38---15
5th from last DET---36---12
4th from last VAN---35---19
3rd from last NJD---34---15
2nd from last ANA---33---13
Next to last-- OTT---32---13
Last by a mile BUF---27--14

That's right, everyone but Detroit has games in hand against Columbus. It is easy to imagine that everyone from ANA up has a very easy shot to surpass the CBJ point total, and with OTT playing well for its record they too have a chance to improve.

I do not know how the draft lottery works now but it might only take a small miracle for the CBJ to get the #1 pick. It is a shame, but with a depleted lineup the cellar might be the only position out of reach and then its a coin flip with the Sabres.

Or right now:
Elvis, Domi, your 2 new 1st rounders, and a B prospect
- HenryHockey

That might be all it takes. Haha So Elvis, Domi, Savard, Foligno for Eichs...... That wreaks of the Thorton trade.

Tort's is gone. Absent shortened season, I think he would have been gone after PLD blow up. It will be interesting to see who Jarmo hires. The job should be somewhat desirable as it is not really a rebuild, lots of pieces are in place, esp if you can solve the center problem. This year is just a textbook example of a team giving up on their coach. They remind me a bit of NYI before Trotz.

As for true elite 1C's...they almost never are moved or even hit free agency. I do not see how we get one. The best CBJ could really hope for are a low end 1C/high end 2C like PLD was. The two names that pop out to me are RNH and Monahan.

I could see a lot of ways to get to Monahan, we do have assets, and I am sure he would love to play with Laine. He also would become the best C on the team by far.

RNH is going to get paid no matter where he goes, regardless of how good he actually is. Not sure CBJ would pay that without resolving Jones, Zach and Laine though. By then, RNH maybe already gone and signed elsewhere.

Tort's is gone. Absent shortened season, I think he would have been gone after PLD blow up. It will be interesting to see who Jarmo hires. The job should be somewhat desirable as it is not really a rebuild, lots of pieces are in place, esp if you can solve the center problem. This year is just a textbook example of a team giving up on their coach. They remind me a bit of NYI before Trotz.

As for true elite 1C's...they almost never are moved or even hit free agency. I do not see how we get one. The best CBJ could really hope for are a low end 1C/high end 2C like PLD was. The two names that pop out to me are RNH and Monahan.

I could see a lot of ways to get to Monahan, we do have assets, and I am sure he would love to play with Laine. He also would become the best C on the team by far.

RNH is going to get paid no matter where he goes, regardless of how good he actually is. Not sure CBJ would pay that without resolving Jones, Zach and Laine though. By then, RNH maybe already gone and signed elsewhere.
- Eric440

Neither are elite 1Cs that can drive play. But either would be a good 1C for the Jackets . . . and Laine. RNH will want 6-7 years, and probably take +$7.5MM AAV. Monahan wouldn't take as much to trade for as, say Eichel. But Monahan has only 2 more years on this contract - then UFA. So we'd be back in the Panarin situation, giving up a lot in trade, and potentially losing him in 2 yrs.
We have to see what Jarmo will do with the 1st rnd picks.

Too busy to watch CBJ, celebrating Easter!

But I read in the Columbus Dispatch today that Torts said after the 5-1 debacle last night in Dallas the problem wasn't the young kids 'who are pushing hard'. It was written: "...but this time coach John Tortorella assigned it squarely to a lack of “energy” apparent in some of his most experienced players."

This is nothing but ugly if true. I guess at this point I don't need to watch the CBJ anymore, in 5 or 6 years they might have a playoff team again.

Too busy to watch CBJ, celebrating Easter!

But I read in the Columbus Dispatch today that Torts said after the 5-1 debacle last night in Dallas the problem wasn't the young kids 'who are pushing hard'. It was written: "...but this time coach John Tortorella assigned it squarely to a lack of “energy” apparent in some of his most experienced players."

This is nothing but ugly if true. I guess at this point I don't need to watch the CBJ anymore, in 5 or 6 years they might have a playoff team again.
- jkumpire

Kekaleinen said a retool not a rebuild, which makes sense, knowing his trade record I wouldn't count the cbj out next season.

When a team isn't making the post season it's kinda sorta normal for the veterans to tone down their game. On the other hand youngsters are playing for roster spots and contracts next year. This is a very common trend , nothing new here.

Kekaleinen said a retool not a rebuild, which makes sense, knowing his trade record I wouldn't count the cbj out next season.

When a team isn't making the post season it's kinda sorta normal for the veterans to tone down their game. On the other hand youngsters are playing for roster spots and contracts next year. This is a very common trend , nothing new here.
- Alexzanki

I hope you are right Alex, I'm not very optimistic at this point, except for our draft position.

To update, as of now the 1st pick in the draft is much more realistic:

LA, Vancouver and Detroit have passed the CBJ in the standings, even if LA is only a point ahead and the others are currently tied in points with the CBJ. The way the team is playing now 'ofer' the rest of the season is a distinct possibility. Here's the latest standings:

Team---Points---Games left

4th from last CBJ---39---08
3rd from last OTT---36---10
2nd from last ANA---35---08
Next to last-- NJD---34---11
Last by a little BUF---31--10

OTT has won 2 in a row and are playing well, so is BUF. NJ is almost playing as bad as the CBJ, and ANA is miserable. Everyone but ANA has games in hand on the CBJ, the big problem is the fact that BUF and NJD are in the East and do not play each other the rest of the season. It seems impossible for either team to catch the CBJ, and Seattle is in the draft lottery as an expansion team.

ANA finishes with four against LA, two against STL, and two against MIN. Split the four games with LA and both LA and ANA stay above the CBJ. OTT plays almost everyone in their division, 2 wins out of ten games is a quite reasonable hope.

So, it is likely the CBJ finish 3rd from the bottom and may have a shot at #1 if BUF or NJD can't tank as good as they do. Here's hoping it happens.

I hope you are right Alex, I'm not very optimistic at this point, except for our draft position.

To update, as of now the 1st pick in the draft is much more realistic:

LA, Vancouver and Detroit have passed the CBJ in the standings, even if LA is only a point ahead and the others are currently tied in points with the CBJ. The way the team is playing now 'ofer' the rest of the season is a distinct possibility. Here's the latest standings:

Team---Points---Games left

4th from last CBJ---39---08
3rd from last OTT---36---10
2nd from last ANA---35---08
Next to last-- NJD---34---11
Last by a little BUF---31--10

OTT has won 2 in a row and are playing well, so is BUF. NJ is almost playing as bad as the CBJ, and ANA is miserable. Everyone but ANA has games in hand on the CBJ, the big problem is the fact that BUF and NJD are in the East and do not play each other the rest of the season. It seems impossible for either team to catch the CBJ, and Seattle is in the draft lottery as an expansion team.

ANA finishes with four against LA, two against STL, and two against MIN. Split the four games with LA and both LA and ANA stay above the CBJ. OTT plays almost everyone in their division, 2 wins out of ten games is a quite reasonable hope.

So, it is likely the CBJ finish 3rd from the bottom and may have a shot at #1 if BUF or NJD can't tank as good as they do. Here's hoping it happens.

- jkumpire

If we land Owen Power does this make Jones or Werenski expendable ? If not draft Mathew Benier and trade Laine for assets.