Thomas Townsend: Bjork in for the long haul, but is PLD?

If I'm CBJ, I don't even consider trading PLD. Tortorella is about to run his course in Columbus and besides, if he's a professional, he will do his job and if not, he can hold out or sit down, sure it will hurt his trade value but he also has no other choice. Teams need to stop caving into these entitled players. If he wants to play hockey in the NHL, he has to do it in Columbus until he's 27. Or not play.

Bjorkstrand should be a consistent 25/25 guy and that's a great value for him.

I still think goaltending is still a question mark for Columbus. Torts doesn't necessarily play a defensive style so much as he plays an opportunistic/aggressive style. I think with guys like Foligno, Dubinky on their way out, the team needs to shift it's direction after bringing in a guy like Domi and with smaller, more finesse players playing a larger role.

I think this is the make or break season for the Totorella-era and I can realistically see Columbus missing the playoffs unless everything goes their way.

Thomas Townsend: Bjork in for the long haul, but is PLD?
- Thomas Townsend

Fair deal for Bjorkstrand, right down the Cam Atkinson alleyway in terms of amount.

That being said, PLD is all but gone the only reason why this hasn't gone down is simply due the pandemic and logistical nightmare a trade might cause.

There was a survey among agents saying that one of the hardest Gm's to negotiate with is Kekaleine. My question is, was something said or implied at the negotiation table that genuinely turned off Dubois ? Or did Tort's whip truly break him. Either way, it must be hard to be Foligno, Jenner, Atkinson, Werensky , Jones and wanting to play with a guy who wants to play on a '' bigger stage''.

We can only hope PLD reaches his potential this year and leads the CBJ on a big run. With the division they play in this year it is very possible.

I'd also like to see a couple of that were waived by other teams get a look/see/taxi squad spot. There can be some hidden offense in those lists.

Finally, since the CBJ does have cap space is it possible that JK will spend some at the trade deadline? For example, on NHL radio several people speculated that Hall will not last the season in Buffalo, especially in the division they are playing in. If they have a chance for a big run I'd like to see if people are willing to deal as the season goes on.

We can only hope PLD reaches his potential this year and leads the CBJ on a big run. With the division they play in this year it is very possible.

I'd also like to see a couple of that were waived by other teams get a look/see/taxi squad spot. There can be some hidden offense in those lists.

Finally, since the CBJ does have cap space is it possible that JK will spend some at the trade deadline? For example, on NHL radio several people speculated that Hall will not last the season in Buffalo, especially in the division they are playing in. If they have a chance for a big run I'd like to see if people are willing to deal as the season goes on.
- jkumpire

Hall would have done half the league by the time he retires

Hall as a rental would make sense, although I have a hard time betting against Buffalo. I wouldn't mind having him for a run if we get to that point, I'm just hoping Jarmo doesn't overpay as say for Duschene. He's that Nathan Horton type player.

We can only hope PLD reaches his potential this year and leads the CBJ on a big run. With the division they play in this year it is very possible.

I'd also like to see a couple of that were waived by other teams get a look/see/taxi squad spot. There can be some hidden offense in those lists.

Finally, since the CBJ does have cap space is it possible that JK will spend some at the trade deadline? For example, on NHL radio several people speculated that Hall will not last the season in Buffalo, especially in the division they are playing in. If they have a chance for a big run I'd like to see if people are willing to deal as the season goes on.
- jkumpire

Y'all have pretty high expectations for the Jackets. Last year we scraped around just to put a couple pucks in the the net each game ! Nothing much has changed - yes, Domi is now 2C - but Nyquist is out. Unless one or two of Tex/Foudy/Bemstrom takes a big step up, scoring will be scarce after PLD & Bjork. Will Atkinson come back . . . maybe !!

As for dealing at the TDL - quarantine requirements may stifle the activity. You'd have to keep it intra-N.Amer or intra-Canada to be worth it. Trade for Hall . . . meh ! Go big - PLD for Eichel !

Y'all have pretty high expectations for the Jackets. Last year we scraped around just to put a couple pucks in the the net each game ! Nothing much has changed - yes, Domi is now 2C - but Nyquist is out. Unless one or two of Tex/Foudy/Bemstrom takes a big step up, scoring will be scarce after PLD & Bjork. Will Atkinson come back . . . maybe !!

As for dealing at the TDL - quarantine requirements may stifle the activity. You'd have to keep it intra-N.Amer or intra-Canada to be worth it. Trade for Hall . . . meh ! Go big - PLD for Eichel !
- birdie03

Yes, I do have high expectations for the CBJ, and from all I've heard from the team they do too. they are a young team with experience playing a system that should help them succeed. All the injuries gave the kids enough experience that they should be able to improve. The center position is stronger than it was last year, and they have a stable goaltending situation that most teams don't have.

Yes, they need more offense badly, but if the front office believes they have enough to win, let's see if it's the truth. BTW, they are also in a division that sets up very well for them, with a damaged Tampa team, a Dallas team that overachieved, and a Carolina team that may or may not be as good as the CBJ are.

They also beat Toronto on their home ice last year, and gave Tampa everything they wanted in a series that they could have won. So yeah, I do have expectations for them, and for the coach and front office, to get the job done this year.

Yes, I do have high expectations for the CBJ, and from all I've heard from the team they do too. they are a young team with experience playing a system that should help them succeed. All the injuries gave the kids enough experience that they should be able to improve. The center position is stronger than it was last year, and they have a stable goaltending situation that most teams don't have.

Yes, they need more offense badly, but if the front office believes they have enough to win, let's see if it's the truth. BTW, they are also in a division that sets up very well for them, with a damaged Tampa team, a Dallas team that overachieved, and a Carolina team that may or may not be as good as the CBJ are.

They also beat Toronto on their home ice last year, and gave Tampa everything they wanted in a series that they could have won. So yeah, I do have expectations for them, and for the coach and front office, to get the job done this year.

I did forget to mention the pall of the Dubois situation that follows the team. I believe the odds favor them to make the playoffs - however, as I've said before - we have a team built to get TO the playoffs, but not built to get THROUGH the playoffs. Our D is pretty much second to none - but it takes more than that for a deep run to the Cup. Unless the lack of O is resolved it's another one-and-done playoff.

Yes, I do have high expectations for the CBJ, and from all I've heard from the team they do too. they are a young team with experience playing a system that should help them succeed. All the injuries gave the kids enough experience that they should be able to improve. The center position is stronger than it was last year, and they have a stable goaltending situation that most teams don't have.

Yes, they need more offense badly, but if the front office believes they have enough to win, let's see if it's the truth. BTW, they are also in a division that sets up very well for them, with a damaged Tampa team, a Dallas team that overachieved, and a Carolina team that may or may not be as good as the CBJ are.

They also beat Toronto on their home ice last year, and gave Tampa everything they wanted in a series that they could have won. So yeah, I do have expectations for them, and for the coach and front office, to get the job done this year.

I did forget to mention the pall of the Dubois situation that follows the team. I believe the odds favor them to make the playoffs - however, as I've said before - we have a team built to get TO the playoffs, but not built to get THROUGH the playoffs. Our D is pretty much second to none - but it takes more than that for a deep run to the Cup. Unless the lack of O is resolved it's another one-and-done playoff.
- birdie03

You are a good poster and like reading your stuff Birdie03. I just want to point out that in the last two seasons it hasn't been one-and-done; they lost last year to the cup winners, the year before to the guys who lost the cup in seven games. Both series were tightly fought, and it is reasonable to suggest they were winnable. And in previous years when they were one-and-done it was at least three times to the team that won the cup.

Anyway, with the mess our country is in and the upcoming misery the new President and his leftists are bringing I would like to think positive thoughts about something, right now that includes the CBJ.

You are a good poster and like reading your stuff Birdie03. I just want to point out that in the last two seasons it hasn't been one-and-done; they lost last year to the cup winners, the year before to the guys who lost the cup in seven games. Both series were tightly fought, and it is reasonable to suggest they were winnable. And in previous years when they were one-and-done it was at least three times to the team that won the cup.

Anyway, with the mess our country is in and the upcoming misery the new President and his leftists are bringing I would like to think positive thoughts about something, right now that includes the CBJ.

Thanks for the "atta boy" - your comments likewise !! I also feel your pain with the new POTUS. Gotta figure out a way to keep him from getting my hard-earned $$ and give it away to those looking for handouts.

Anyway - agree last year's ('18/19) playoff sweep was amazing. My brother-in-law has season tickets to Lightning games, and he owes me cases of beer for those games. Playoffs this past summer, the win over Toronto technically was a "play-in" round, not playoff. I would love to see the kids take a huge step up, force Torts to keep them on the ice. Still don't have the top-6 "go-to" scoring machine. That's what it takes to go deep into the POs.

You are a good poster and like reading your stuff Birdie03. I just want to point out that in the last two seasons it hasn't been one-and-done; they lost last year to the cup winners, the year before to the guys who lost the cup in seven games. Both series were tightly fought, and it is reasonable to suggest they were winnable. And in previous years when they were one-and-done it was at least three times to the team that won the cup.

Anyway, with the mess our country is in and the upcoming misery the new President and his leftists are bringing I would like to think positive thoughts about something, right now that includes the CBJ.
- jkumpire

Oh boy, not even going to touch this.

You are a good poster and like reading your stuff Birdie03. I just want to point out that in the last two seasons it hasn't been one-and-done; they lost last year to the cup winners, the year before to the guys who lost the cup in seven games. Both series were tightly fought, and it is reasonable to suggest they were winnable. And in previous years when they were one-and-done it was at least three times to the team that won the cup.

Anyway, with the mess our country is in and the upcoming misery the new President and his leftists are bringing I would like to think positive thoughts about something, right now that includes the CBJ.

Thanks for the "atta boy" - your comments likewise !! I also feel your pain with the new POTUS. Gotta figure out a way to keep him from getting my hard-earned $$ and give it away to those looking for handouts.

Anyway - agree last year's ('18/19) playoff sweep was amazing. My brother-in-law has season tickets to Lightning games, and he owes me cases of beer for those games. Playoffs this past summer, the win over Toronto technically was a "play-in" round, not playoff. I would love to see the kids take a huge step up, force Torts to keep them on the ice. Still don't have the top-6 "go-to" scoring machine. That's what it takes to go deep into the POs.
- birdie03

What the hell is this?

You are a good poster and like reading your stuff Birdie03. I just want to point out that in the last two seasons it hasn't been one-and-done; they lost last year to the cup winners, the year before to the guys who lost the cup in seven games. Both series were tightly fought, and it is reasonable to suggest they were winnable. And in previous years when they were one-and-done it was at least three times to the team that won the cup.

Anyway, with the mess our country is in and the upcoming misery the new President and his leftists are bringing I would like to think positive thoughts about something, right now that includes the CBJ.
- jkumpire

PLEASE don’t do this.

PLEASE don’t do this.
- Shakers

Hi Shakers and 3rd.

'Please don't do what?'

I'm not interested in political arguments on a hockey board either, but I'm not going to self-sensor my opinion because someone I don't know and never met might get irritated.

My opinion is based on my professional and personal evaluation of the situation facing the country, a much more sound opinion than my personal and amateur opinion about the CBJ this season.

Lighten up guys, the CBJ are about to open their season, and we have hope that it will be a good one.

Yes, I do have high expectations for the CBJ, and from all I've heard from the team they do too. they are a young team with experience playing a system that should help them succeed. All the injuries gave the kids enough experience that they should be able to improve. The center position is stronger than it was last year, and they have a stable goaltending situation that most teams don't have.

Yes, they need more offense badly, but if the front office believes they have enough to win, let's see if it's the truth. BTW, they are also in a division that sets up very well for them, with a damaged Tampa team, a Dallas team that overachieved, and a Carolina team that may or may not be as good as the CBJ are.

They also beat Toronto on their home ice last year, and gave Tampa everything they wanted in a series that they could have won. So yeah, I do have expectations for them, and for the coach and front office, to get the job done this year.

I did forget to mention the pall of the Dubois situation that follows the team. I believe the odds favor them to make the playoffs - however, as I've said before - we have a team built to get TO the playoffs, but not built to get THROUGH the playoffs. Our D is pretty much second to none - but it takes more than that for a deep run to the Cup. Unless the lack of O is resolved it's another one-and-done playoff.
- birdie03

Agreed on this, it was 5 games, but every game was closely contested, if the Jackets won that crazy OT 3 game , game 1, that could of been a mental back breaker for Tampa.

Concerning the lack of offense, yes it's troubling but at the same time, the jackets were heavily injured before the suspension of the season, i'd wager we were scoring at a respectable rate before those injuries kicked in. Guys like Gerbe, Stenlund, MacInnis, Matteau came in and did what was asked, it kept us in the fight. That is probably a huge plus for the CBJ, their taxi squad is battle tested in important game situations.

Hi Shakers and 3rd.

'Please don't do what?'

I'm not interested in political arguments on a hockey board either, but I'm not going to self-sensor my opinion because someone I don't know and never met might get irritated.

My opinion is based on my professional and personal evaluation of the situation facing the country, a much more sound opinion than my personal and amateur opinion about the CBJ this season.

Lighten up guys, the CBJ are about to open their season, and we have hope that it will be a good one.
- jkumpire

Thanks jkumpire ! You said it better and more civil than I would have ! Just because someone doesn't agree with you, you're supposed to stop.

Agreed on this, it was 5 games, but every game was closely contested, if the Jackets won that crazy OT 3 game , game 1, that could of been a mental back breaker for Tampa.

Concerning the lack of offense, yes it's troubling but at the same time, the jackets were heavily injured before the suspension of the season, i'd wager we were scoring at a respectable rate before those injuries kicked in. Guys like Gerbe, Stenlund, MacInnis, Matteau came in and did what was asked, it kept us in the fight. That is probably a huge plus for the CBJ, their taxi squad is battle tested in important game situations.
- Alexzanki

We do have those games, sometimes even a streak, where we'll score 4 or 5 g/game.
But the consistency is not there. There's no question about our defense. But I believe the opposition knows if they score 3, there's a real good chance they'll win.
I'd really like to see Torts open it up a little more this season - and he's hinted that's exactly what he'll do.
Now if we could only get him to reduce the TOI of Foligno & Jenner.