For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) | Vinsane's Columbus Blue Jackets

[Vinsane]

[Vinsane]

Blue Jackets Season Preview

2009-10 Record: 32-35-15, 79 points
Last playoff: 2009 (lost in conference quarterfinal)
Coach: Scott Arniel
Additions: Nate Guenin, D (Pittsburgh); Ethan Moreau, LW (claimed off waivers from Edmonton); Kyle Wilson, C (Washington).

AP COLUMBUS, OH - Two years ago, Columbus garnered a franchise-high 92 points and qualified for the postseason for the first time in Ken Hitchcock’s second full year behind the bench. That season also yielded a Calder Trophy-winning goaltender in Steve Mason and a franchise star in Rick Nash, who celebrated by signing an eight-year contract extension in the offseason.

But the Blue Jackets couldn’t sustain that momentum last year. An early flop, in which the team won just three times in a 24-game stretch, dropped the Jackets into a season-long funk and the Central Division basement for the first time since 2003.

“Last year, we took a step back—obviously,” Columbus general manager Scott Howson said. “We’ll have to make some improvement internally and we think our new, young, exciting staff will give us a boost and the rest will be up to the players.”

The Blue Jackets fired Hitchcock in February and replaced him four months later with Scott Arniel, who will begin his first stint as an NHL head coach. Arniel, who was recognized as the AHL’s top coach in 2008-09 when he led Manitoba, was brought on after Guy Boucher rejected Columbus’ offer in favor of one from the Steve Yzerman-led Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I’m thrilled to be one of 30 guys in the world with this job,” Arniel, 47, said. “This is something I’ve wanted since I decided to get into this profession, and I think the thing that will help me the most is my people skills. I can relate to players in today’s game and I can get them to believe that we can compete with the best.”

Even if Arniel is the perfect fit, the Blue Jackets’ fate will come down to what the players do on the ice. The franchise is fortunate to have a star in Nash, whose production slipped some last season as the team crumbled around him. He finished with 67 points—12 points short of the career high he set the previous year—but shined for Canada’s gold medal-winning Olympic team.

“He’s strong mentally, but I think he’s frustrated and the losing is becoming tiresome,” Howson said. “I think the Olympic experience was beneficial because he learned how to win under pressure.”

Columbus now needs Mason to rediscover his winning edge—and prove his Calder Trophy season was no fluke. Mason was 33-20-7 as a rookie with a 2.29 goals-against average and NHL-high 10 shutouts. But he looked nothing like that player last season, surrendering playing time to backup Mathieu Garon.

“He went through a tough period,” Howson said. “His second-half numbers were quite similar to what they were the year before—other than his wins. We think he was headed in the right direction later in the year and we fully expect him to bounce back and help us do the same as a team.”

The Blue Jackets can’t expect Mason and Nash to do it alone, and the good news is there are several candidates poised to step up.

Antoine Vermette had a career-high 65 points last year, ranking second on the team to Nash. Kristian Huselius was just two points behind Vermette, while R.J. Umberger had a personal-best 55 points. Jakub Voracek gave the team a fifth 50-point scorer for the first time in franchise history.

The keys up front could be two young players. Derick Brassard, an impressive rookie two years ago, scored only nine goals in a tough sophomore season. Skilled 20-year-old winger Nikita Filatov returns to Columbus after playing most of last season in the KHL—eager to get a fresh start under new coach Arniel.

“Nash and Vermette had some chemistry, so I don’t see why I would change that,” Arniel said. “We need Umberger to keep rising after a breakout year and, after Brassard’s off year, we really need him to bounce back and be better.”

Most critical, however, will be getting the team’s goals-against average down. The Blue Jackets allowed 3.04 goals a game, ranking 24th in the league a year after being tied for ninth in that category.

Defenseman Mike Commodore played a key role for the 2006 Stanley Cup-winning Hurricanes, and knows how to win. He’ll lead a group of serviceable blue-line players that includes Fedor Tyutin and Jan Hejda. Kris Russell and Anton Stralman have the potential to generate offense and assist the guys up front.

[Vinsane]

Blue Jackets Look Crisp In Pre-Season Match Up


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NHL Scoreboard - St. Louis Blues (0-0-0) at Columbus Blue Jackets (0-0-0)

September 19, 2010 1 2 3 F St. Louis Blues 0 0 0 0 Columbus Blue Jackets 1 0 3 4 Three Stars Chris Clark 2 Goals Steve Mason 17 Saves Samuel Pahlsson 2 Assist	Team Stats Comparison STL CBJ Shots on Goal 17 25 Hits 18 17 Faceoffs Won-Lost 17/17 17/17 Penalty Minutes 2:00 0:00 Power Plays Converted 0 0 Total Power Plays 0 1 Time on Attack 5:03 7:08
Scoring Summary First Period Scoring CBJ Chris Clark Unassisted 7:35 Third Period Scoring CBJ Rick Nash R. Umberger, J. Hejda 0:54 CBJ Marc Methot S. Pahlsson 11:43 CBJ Chris Clark S. Pahlsson, A. Murray 12:14
St. Louis Blues - Goaltending Shots Saves SV % GAA T. Conklin 25 21 84% 4.00 Columbus Blue Jackets - Goaltending Shots Saves SV % GAA S. Mason 17 17 100% 0.00 Columbus Blue Jackets - Key Statistics C. Clark - 2 goals, 2 points M. Methot - 1 goal, 1 point R. Nash - 1 goal, 1 point J. Hejda - 1 assist, 1 point

AP - Columbus, OH

The Blue Jackets impressed in their 4-0 win on Sunday. Of course the game didn't count but, that didn't matter to the 10,000+ in attendance who came out to see the first pre-season game of the year. The Blue Jackets made sure that the fans in attendance went home feeling good about the upcoming season.

Chris Clark who found the back of the net twice tonight commented on the off-season events leading up until tonight. "The training camps, the team meetings, the workouts and getting in shape. All of it comes down to one thing; When the chips are down, how do you perform? Tonight may not have counted on paper, but it counted for us. We did real well out there, a lot of positive things to take away from tonight's game."

[Vinsane]

Pre-Season Woes Leave Little To Be Excited For


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AP - San Jose, California.

The Columbus Blue Jackets started off their pre-season campaign with fireworks in a stunning 4-0 defeat of the St. Louis Blues. They went on to face their next three opponents with plenty of fireworks as well but, nothing to show for it.

Defense is a concern for this team early in this campaign. As they wrapped up another OT loss in Chicago on a breakaway burner that reached the back of the net. The Columbus coaching staff is scratching their heads wondering where to start with their defensive units that gave up a pre-season high 19 goals.

"We're left with a lot of question marks heading into tomorrow," commented Rick Nash. "However, we're focused on the season at hand. What happened in the pre-season? We're past that."

The Blue Jackets will meet the San Jose Sharks in the season opener tomorrow. The two teams will then stay overnight and catch early morning flights back to Columbus, Ohio. There, they will play game two of their double header.

"It's interesting," Said Scott Arniel "We don't mind playing a back to back but, to head to California and then back to Ohio? That's insane. We're going to get off the plane tomorrow and head straight to the arena. Both teams will be dragging ass tomorrow."

[Vinsane]

Weekend Series Over


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AP - Columbus, Ohio

The Blue Jackets' opening weekend ended in a split on Saturday night with the San Jose Sharks stealing a victory from Value City Arena in overtime. The Sharks were just repaying the Blue Jackets for their home opening loss a night before in San Jose where the Blue Jackets trumped the Sharks 3-2.

The weekend series with the Sharks was a first look at Scott Arniel's opening salvo of Rick Nash and Antoine Vermette. Vermette assisted on Nash's first goal of the season in game two. Nash also assisted on a slap shot goal from defensivemen Rostislav Klesla.

With all the positives on offense the defensive side of the puck left a lot to be desired. In both match ups the Blue Jackets were up 3-0. In San Jose they were able to hold of a late charge from the Sharks and burnt down the clock. In Columbus they gave up the third goal in the final 32 seconds of the 3rd period. Joe Thornton wrapped one around defensemen Kris Russell before finding the back of the net and forcing overtime.

The Sharks smelling blood attacked early and put the game away in the first five minutes of the overtime period. An interception turned into a 2-0 breakaway and goalie Steve Mason didn't have a chance to save the rebound attempt. The air left Value City Arena and the Blue Jackets came up short in their home opener.

"We're disappointed in our performance at home but, we got one on the road." said Head Coach Scott Arniel. "Our focus is now on the Blackhawks next week at home. We may of let this one slip away but this early in the season you know you have more to play."

[Vinsane]

Jackets Blank Champs In Columbus


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Things Get Wild In Minnesota


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[Cody]

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