May 24, 2013

CBJ Off-season: Q&A With GM Scott Howson

April 15, 2011 by 3 Comments

Columbus Dispatch Photo

Editor’s Note: The following interview took place on March 29th, before the end of the season.

With another non-playoff season now in the books for the Blue Jackets, the writing is on the wall for General Manager Scott Howson: changes need to be made to the roster. As timing would have it, he has 12 free agents on his roster, including several defensemen which is an area of serious need. I had the chance to speak with Howson between periods at the 3/29 game vs. Florida, and I asked him a few questions about the upcoming off-season. I’ll have more next week about needs and prescriptions, but this should be a good kickoff for where the franchise sits now after two straight non-playoff seasons.

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Jackets Ride Calvert’s Hat Trick Past Coyotes, 5-3

February 26, 2011 by 1 Comment

AP Photo/Jay LaPreteBlue Jackets 5, Coyotes 3
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 31-23-6, 68 pts

We finally found a moment that looked too big for rookie winger Matt Calvert.

I wrote in my game preview that: “Calvert has been particularly impressive, as the rookie never looks overwhelmed. He skates hard, and wins battles for the puck despite his diminutive size. And, as Rick Nash pointed out Tuesday night after the game, his hands around the net have been as good as advertised.”

Three goals later, hats rained down from the Nationwide Arena rafters, and the look on Calvert’s face was priceless; he looked genuinely overwhelmed, alternating between a huge grin and an emotional expression. The only thing is: that’s one kind of overwhelmed you can live with. Calvert and the Jackets scored five unanswered goals after falling behind to keep their hot streak alive, and inched one step closer to the goal of the playoffs.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Coyotes (Game #60) – Once More Into the Breach…

February 25, 2011 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. coyotesPhoenix Coyotes (33-20-9, 75pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (30-23-6, 66pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Friday, February 25, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets

It was January 11th when these teams last met, also at Nationwide. The Jackets had just come off of a horrific four game road trip, and did end up losing to the Coyotes that night on a fluky third period goal. But, coach Scott Arniel points to that game as a turning point as to when the team really got back to playing their style of hockey. The results would bear that out. In the 16 games since, the Jackets are 10-3-3. Advantage: Jackets? Maybe not so fast. The Coyotes have been as hot as anyone, finally losing on Wednesday in Tampa after ripping off eight straight wins.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Kings (Game #57) – Every Point Matters

February 16, 2011 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. wildLos Angeles Kings (31-22-3, 65pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (28-23-5, 61pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets

The Jackets have had a few days off after their stretch of six games in 10 days (5-1!). What’s their reward, the other hottest team in the NHL (San Jose being the hottest). The Kings, after a dreadful slide that took them down to the depths of the conference standings, have points in nine straight games (7-0-2) and are one of the teams Columbus needs to catch in the standings. LA is in the midst of an insane 10-game road trip, as they pay a visit to all of the Eastern Conference teams they have to play on the road. Neither team has played since Sunday.

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Columbus Out-Shoot and Out-Play Ducks, But Early Power Play Goals Sink Jackets 3-2

January 25, 2011 by 3 Comments

Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty ImagesDucks 3, Blue Jackets 2
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 23-21-5, 51 pts
The Jackets had one last chance to grab some points before the All Star Break, and the red-hot Anaheim Ducks standing in their way. The Jackets would fall into the same trap they had in their previous two wins by letting the Ducks jump out to a 2-0 lead early in the first period, but they would not roll over.

But, it was an early call that would end up casting a long shadow over the entire game. The Jackets were forced to kill off a major penalty, and the Ducks’ third-ranked Power Play unit made them pay dearly. Columbus largely outplayed Anaheim, but the early deficit turned out to be just a bit too much this time around. [Read more...]

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Coyotes (Game #43)

January 11, 2011 by 2 Comments

jackets vs. coyotesPhoenix Coyotes (20-13-9, 49pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (20-19-3, 43pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets
Follow me from the press box (weather permitting) @WFNYDP tonight!

The Jackets get another shot at Phoenix tonight after playing them out in the desert last Tuesday. These teams aren’t that far apart: they’re both 20 win teams with 22 losses. It’s just that the ‘Yotes have gotten to OT six more times than the Jackets have in the loss column. The Jackets are staggering home after a rough 0-4 road trip through three time zones. They finally looked like a team with a pulse in the third period in LA on Saturday, but by then it was too late. If they want to get anything going before the All Star Break (seven more games), it needs to start tonight, as a home-and-home with the Red Wings is looming this weekend.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Maple Leafs (Game #37) – Raking Leafs Edition

December 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

jackets vs. leafsColumbus Blue Jackets (18-15-3, 39pts) vs.
Toronto Maple Leafs (13-18-4, 30pts)
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Thursday, December 30, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

The Jackets finish 2010 with back to back games against Eastern Conference Canadian teams: one in the hockey Mecca of Toronto, and then back at home against Ottawa. On paper, this is a game the Jackets MUST win if they hope to hang around the playoff hunt. Toronto has been spinning its wheels for a few years now, and are scuffling behind the Jackets in terms of points/results in a much easier conference. So, Columbus—if to be taken seriously—must come out and take this game early and not let it go, regardless of who’s starting in goal… or elsewhere, for that matter.

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Jackets Wear Down the Flames to Earn a Much-Needed 3-1 Win

December 21, 2010 by 3 Comments

John Grieshop/Getty Images

Blue Jackets 3, Flames 1
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 17-13-3, 37 pts

It’s crazy to me that these two teams have played three of their four matchups prior to Christmas, but what do I know about scheduling? The important thing for tonight was for the Jackets to come out early and establish a forecheck and, hopefully, get the first goal. When scoring first, Columbus had a .857 winning percentage coming in.

And score first they would. For just the second time in the last 11 games, the Jackets would get on the board first, as Jakub Voracek would put them up 1-0 just 5:14 into the first period. But would it hold up? The Flames had some things to say about that before this one was over. However, it was the Jackets who would do the most talking with their physical play and stout goal-tending from Mathieu Garon.

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The 5-Hole: Blue Jackets News and Notes – 12/21/2010

December 21, 2010 by 3 Comments

Every Tuesday, WFNY’s The 5-Hole brings you up to date with the goings-on of the CBJ…

5-hole

The Week That Was

This Week: 0-2-1, 1 point
Overall: 16-13-3, 35 points (4th division; 11th conference)

What a different a year doesn’t make. Last season, the Jackets roared out to a 26-point mark in their first 20 games, and then promptly lost 21 of 24 to fall completely out of the playoffs. Fast forward to this year: 28 points in the first 20 games, knocking on the door for first in the division and conference. Then, fast forward 12 more games, with only two wins and seven total points, leading to a plunge down to 11th in the standings. Dennis Green is in the wings clearing his throat, getting ready to yell: “THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!!”

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Oilers (Game #31) – Finish Strong

December 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (16-11-3, 35pts) vs.
Edmonton Oilers (11-14-5, 27pts)
Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta
Thursday, December 16, 2010
9:30 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

The Jackets get right back it again tonight after two straight games in which they’ve rallied to force overtime only to drop a heart-breaker. But, at the end of the day, if you’d said they’d have two points through the trip thus far, I’d have taken that. And they have certainly had to earn those two points. Their Western Canadian road trip ends tonight in Edmonton, who is struggling at the bottom of the conference, though of late they’ve been much better in winning six of ten. Can the Jackets come home with four points on the trip? Let’s hope so. They’ve rallied for overtime the last two, but haven’t finished strong. They need to finish strong tonight, both in terms of the game and the trip as a whole.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Canucks (Game #30) – Big Boy Pants Edition

December 15, 2010 by 3 Comments

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (16-11-2, 34pts) vs.
Vancouver Canucks (16-8-4, 36pts)
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
10:00 PM EST
TV: none / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

No rest for the weary. It’s time to find out TRULY what this team is made of. If they want us to take them seriously, they’re going to have to build off of their third period from Monday that earned them an OTL point after clawing back into a game it looked like was a sure-fire loss in the first period. Coach Scott Arniel is making the move to Mathieu Garon as his starting goalie… at least for tonight. The Jackets have three games in the next four days across three time zones, so we haven’t seen the last of Steve Mason, either. Despite being almost equal in the standings, the Canucks look to be a better team than the Jackets on paper. It’s time to put on the BIG BOY PANTS.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Blues (Game #27) – Let’s Build a New Streak

December 9, 2010 by 2 Comments

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (15-10-1, 31pts) vs.
St. Louis Blues (13-9-4, 30pts)
ScottTrade Center, St. Louis, MO 
Thursday, December 9, 2010
8:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH-HD / Radio: WWCD 101.1/102.5 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

You have to think the Blues have had this one circled for the last month. The Jackets finally got off of the losing streak after five games (0-4-1) and nipped Dallas on Monday with a late rally. Head coach Scott Arniel has juggled his lineup a bit, and those changes from the Dallas game should continue tonight… unless the team comes out flat again. St. Louis have been scuffling for a large part of the month (4-8-2) since Columbus eviscerated them 8-1 at Nationwide, and is battling a slew of injuries. Columbus will take every advantage they can get, I suspect.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Stars (Game #26) – It Stops Now… Please?

December 6, 2010 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. starsDallas Stars (16-8-1, 33pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (14-10-1, 29pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Monday, December 6, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / WBNS (97.1 fm)

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets

I got a great text on Saturday night, as the Jackets were in the midst of getting eviscerated in their own building by the Pittsburgh Penguins. It read, simply: “RIP Jackets. Same [crap], different year.” While it might be too soon to bury them for the entire season, the sentiment is right on. The Jackets got off to their best start in franchise history, and in the span of a week went from: playing two games against Detroit with first place in the division and conference on the line to losing five in a row, including back-to-back blowouts at the hands of the Sabres (5-0) on Friday and the Penguins (7-2) on Saturday. The skid is ugly, and reminds most Jackets fans of what happened last year around Thanksgiving: the 12-6-2 Jackets went on a 3-16-5 skid that ended their season. Oh, and if you’re looking for some last minute tickets (not sure why you would be, but…), click the WFNY Tickets link above to get ‘em!

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Sabres (Game #24) – Slump-busting

December 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment

jackets vs. sabresColumbus Blue Jackets (14-8-1, 29pts) vs.
Buffalo Sabres (9-13-3, 21pts)
HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
Friday, December 3, 2010
7:30 PM EST
TV: FSNOH-HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

The Jackets are back on the road for a quick one-game stop in Buffalo before returning to Columbus tomorrow for a bit matchup with the Penguins. The Sabres are struggling in the standings, but goalie Ryan Miller is capable of frustrating any offense at any time, though he hasn’t quite been himself since the Olympics. The Jackets look like the better team on paper, but after coming off a tough shoot-out loss to the Predators at home on Wednesday it remains to be seen where the psyche of this team is right now. The good news? The Jackets have played very well against teams from the east so far this year…even the good ones.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Predators (Game #23) – Frustration Ventilation

December 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment

jackets vs. avalancheNashville Predators (10-8-5, 25pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (14-8-0, 28pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH / WBNS (97.1 fm)

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
Follow me from the Press Box @WFNYDP
WFNY Tickets

The Jackets get back on the ice tonight after two straight losses to Detroit. As if they needed more motivation, their long-time nemesis and Central Division foe Nashville Predators come calling for the second time in nine days. It’s time for the Jackets to take out some frustration. Last Monday they were able to effectively shut down the Preds en route to a Steve Mason shutout, and the Predators have been scuffling a bit over their last five games (1-2-2). If the Jackets play like they did for the most part against Detroit, I think they’ll see that they’re still a good team; Detroit’s just better. Nashville—on paper, at least—is not. Oh, and if you’re looking for some last minute tickets, click the WFNY Tickets link above to get ‘em!

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings (Game #21) – Ragnarök, Part 1

November 26, 2010 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. wingsDetroit Red Wings (13-4-2, 28pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (14-6-0, 28pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Friday, November 26, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH-HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets
Follow me from the press box @WFNYDP

If you aren’t quite sure about the title of this preview, here’s a little background. This game is the first of six between these two clubs, and the first of two this weekend. The two teams are tied for the most points in the Western Conference, and so the winner of tonight’s contest will officially be in first place alone… until Sunday, when the teams hook up again in Detroit. The Jackets are on a super-hot streak, but to give you an idea of how good Detroit has been all year, the Jackets have earned 20 out of a possible 26 points in their last 13 games… and have just now caught up to Detroit.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Islanders (Game #20) – Trap Game Edition

November 24, 2010 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. wildColumbus Blue Jackets (13-6-0, 26pts) vs.
New York Islanders (4-12-4, 12pts)
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum,
Uniondale, NY
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH-HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(SportsDirect Preview)

If you look up “trap game” in the sports dictionary (hmm, is there such a thing?), it would be tonight’s game. Let’s see… hot Jackets team? Check. Struggling Isles team that has lost 13 straight? Check. Quick road trip between big divisional home games for Columbus? Check. #1 Detroit coming into two on Friday, and another game at Detroit on Sunday? Check. All of the symptoms are there for a classic look-ahead for Columbus. Hopefully they don’t think they’re that good, yet, because these are the kinds of games they’ve traditionally struggled with: games they should win in which they end up playing down to their competition (see: Edmonton game earlier this year). One good thing? It’s on the road, where the Jackets are 7-1 so far on the season.

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Game Recap: Jackets’ Train Keeps Rolling with Fourth Straight Win

November 23, 2010 by 5 Comments

Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesBlue Jackets 2, Predators 0
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 13-6-0, 26 pts

We’re in uncharted waters. This is the best start ever for Columbus. I can’t find a better way to say it than that. After a three-games-in-four-days road trip through California in which Columbus went 3-0, it would have almost been OK (or at least understandable) if Columbus had come out Monday night—after just one day off including traveling 2,500 miles—a little flat. But, all credit to coach Scott Arniel and the guys as they were not only ready to play, but ready to dominate. “I think we had the same mentality as the road games,” said Captain Rick Nash. “We forget about our last game. We were just worrying about tonight against Nashville and that’s why I think we played so well.”

And Nash has been one of the main reasons, earning the NHL’s First Star of the Week last week. Nash carried the offense on the road trip, and was a big reason for the win last night. He’s earned points in nine straight games, and kept his goal-scoring streak going as well. Steve Mason did the rest, stopping all 27 shots that he faced to earn his first shutout of the season and the second straight shutout for the Jackets.

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Game Preview: Jackets vs. Predators (Game #19)

November 22, 2010 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. avalancheNashville Predators (9-6-3, 21pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (12-6-0, 24pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Monday, November 22, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH / WBNS (97.1 fm)

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

WFNY Tickets

Wow, what a difference a week makes. The Jackets at this point last week were licking their wounds from a sound beating at the hands of the Avalanche and were heading west for a daunting California corridor road trip with three games in four nights against LA, Anaheim, and San Jose. A 3-0 road trip later, Columbus is back home for a quick turnaround against nemesis Nashville, but with a completely different mind-set and a red-hot Rick Nash. Right now, its time to keep the train moving in the right direction. The Jackets have won nine out of 12 and have outscored their opponents 26-7 in their last six wins (yes, I overlooked the 5-1 drubbing by Colorado, sue me). This is the first of two very important division games this week. And, if you’re looking for some last minute tickets, click the WFNY Tickets link above to get ‘em!

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Ducks (Game #17)

November 19, 2010 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. wildColumbus Blue Jackets (10-6-0, 20pts) vs.
Anaheim Ducks (10-8-3, 23pts)
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Friday, November 19, 2010
10:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

Well, I remember reading—and agreeing—that if the Jackets could get three or four points from this road trip that it would be a success. They pulled two points from arguably the toughest game of this trip (on paper, at least). So, here’s the rub: the Ducks are a team the Jackets have beat already once this season. However, the Ducks have been a tougher team since then, and the Jackets are on the road. Also, this Jackets team has shown the propensity to play down after big wins (over-confidence?) and historically play to their level of competition. Which could be good or bad, in this case.

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