CBJ fans pushed to the brink

[v3rs3]

http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/cont...ets-failures-push-longtime-fans-to-brink.html

Pretty much started on the HFboards. A lot of people have decided to go down to the arena this Saturday at 2PM to protest the fact that ownership hasn't done anything about the management of this team. They just met last week and somehow Priest and Howson has sold the team on keeping them in office.

It's bitter sweet and a lot of people are bashing the fact that it's not going to do anything, but what does sitting around and waiting do? Sure nothing may not happen, but what's the harm in trying to fix this horribly managed team?

There is no sports to cover this Saturday in Columbus so people hope that local media will be covering this.

I plan on being there in my #10 Kris Russell jersey if any of the local guys are interested in going down there. #CBJfanprotest

 

[frankiefives]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's time for a COMPLETE overhaul in Columbus. Management, coaching, players all need a facelift. You can get HUGE assets for Nash, Carter, Brassard, Vermette just to name a few. I understand it wouldn't be easy to part with the franchise player Nash but this team has done nothing since he's been there. Get prospects and picks for him and rebuild from within. The Sens are a good example of what a rebuilding team looks like. Their roster is filled with young talent and they are thriving under a new coach

 

[SkyFire47]

the season is gone. at season's end, CBJ should fire management, have the new management draft the #1 pick, and overhaul the entire team. no point getting new management now and screwing up the #1 pick too.

 

[DXFlyers]

Fire everyone in the front office: GM, President, Scouting, everyone. Start from scratch on front office.

Problem is right now is the best prospect in the 2012 draft is a Russian...no luck with them (Filatov).

 

[Boom Boom]

They'll ride the season out. I agree its time to clean house. Grab the #1 pick and start the rebuild process. Send Nash to somewhere he can win. He's done his time......

 

[v3rs3]

Problem is right now is the best prospect in the 2012 draft is a Russian...no luck with them (Filatov).

Yakupov is a completely different comparison to Filatov. They are Russian, that's where the comparison stops. Yakupov has taken every step to show he wants to be an NHL star and is already playing on NA ice.

Send Nash to somewhere he can win. He's done his time......

Nash doesn't want out of Columbus. We need a new captain though for sure to take away the country club feeling in the locker room.

 

[FrozenInferno]

Fire everyone in the front office: GM, President, Scouting, everyone. Start from scratch on front office.

Problem is right now is the best prospect in the 2012 draft is a Russian...no luck with them (Filatov).

Two Russians at the top, Yakupov and Grigorenko. I'd probably take Grigorenko, he's kind of like a mini-Malkin.

The Jackets absolutely can not go into the draft with their current management. Shoddy drafting is part of the reason they're in this mess and blowing another good opportunity like this will dig the hole deeper.

This trade deadline will be important too. Nash alone could net them another first and a prospect or two. I don't think Columbus fans would fault him for wanting to go to a contender, he says he wants to stand beside his team through thick and thin because it's his character but inside he must be sick.

 

[suitman19]

It is time for a true 3-5 year plan.
And that does not mean all through the draft.

Keep your high draft pick from this year and next, but you can get some real talent for the likes of Nash Carter Brassard etc. Nash could easily bring a future 2-3 D-man + a strong 2nd liner and a grinder. Carter can give you another 2 players that will be strong starters. Brassard - perhaps more of a ticket out for a like asset. The whole team needs to be sent packing basically - there is an attitude that exists that needs to be addressed.

The will not win this year - and they will not win next year - but they way 'they play the game' needs to change first.

 

[chadsexington]

Are you hoping to catch the eyes of Howson and Priest in person this Saturday? Aren't you afraid they'll be at All Star Weekend?

(By the way, I don't know if this has ever been done, but I'm glad the fans are taking a stand and doing something)

 

[canucksfreak19]

Occupy Columbus!!!

There we go, it will be interesting to see what happens with the front office, players, etc.

 

[hederman]

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon in Columbus. A lone Blue Jackets protester, upset at his team's performance, makes a statement.....

I kid, of course, that team does need a major shakeup. Although I think a better protest would be to have nobody show up for a game. If all the season ticket holders walked out on a game someone's going to notice.

 

[99goals]

I have a solution, We can send a few guys your way and you can send us Nash. I would LOVE to see him Toronto. That is if he can handle being the talk of the town which I believe is why he wanted to stay in Columbus. Unknown and safe from media and fans.

 

[Kyle]

Over the course of league history very few star players have played the prime of their careers in their hometown. Plenty have had the chance to do so through free agency and chose not to. It's similar to the college kid who chooses to shun the local school and head cross country to go somewhere else.

Playing at home in front of your friends and family is fine for a game or two a year but the whole season? Distractions, etc.

Toronto fans would love to have Nash but I'm not so sure Nash would love to have them.

 

[Metrags]

Fire everyone in the front office: GM, President, Scouting, everyone. Start from scratch on front office.

Problem is right now is the best prospect in the 2012 draft is a Russian...no luck with them (Filatov).

Dont forget Zherdev with the 4th overall pick (technically Ukrainian, but who's gonna complain...)

Then again, their 1st rounders (other than Nash) in their existence are:

Rot Klesla 4th overall (yes thats 4th)
Pascal Leclaire 8th overall
Alex Picard 8th overall
Gilbert Brule 6th overall
Derek Brassard 6th overall
Jake Voracek 7th overall
The aforementioned Niko Filatov 6th overall
John Moore 21st overall
Ryan Johansen 4th overall
No 1st rounder in 2011 (traded the 8th to Flyers (Couturier))


And I thought the Rags were bad at wasting picks....

 

[JohnnyDrama]

Dont forget Zherdev with the 4th overall pick (technically Ukrainian, but who's gonna complain...)

Then again, their 1st rounders (other than Nash) in their existence are:

Rot Klesla 4th overall (yes thats 4th)
Pascal Leclaire 8th overall
Alex Picard 8th overall
Gilbert Brule 6th overall
Derek Brassard 6th overall
Jake Voracek 7th overall
The aforementioned Niko Filatov 6th overall
John Moore 21st overall
Ryan Johansen 4th overall
No 1st rounder in 2011 (traded the 8th to Flyers (Couturier))


And I thought the Rags were bad at wasting picks....

It's sad that Klesla, who was solid (not #4 overall worthy) is hands down the best of the bunch.

 

[Sensrookie]

If they are going to move the management they should do it before they get the number 1 pick and mess him up like they usually do with their rookies. Good on ya's for sticking up for your team. Maybe this time they'll listen.

 

[ginx86]

Yakupov is a completely different comparison to Filatov. They are Russian, that's where the comparison stops. Yakupov has taken every step to show he wants to be an NHL star and is already playing on NA ice.

The same thing was said about Filatov when people were comparing him to Zherdev. Not to say that that proves anything either way about Yakupov just that the same arguments were used. Honestly at this point no matter how good a player we draft is on paper I'm pretty sure the organization will find a way to screw it up.

Good luck on the protest, hopefully they'll pay attention to the fans for once.

 

[DredJAw]

The Sens are a good example of what a rebuilding team looks like. Their roster is filled with young talent and they are thriving under a new coach

Yes, but they didn't completely overhaul. In fact, I'd say the sens are doing well BECAUSE of their veterans, not just there youth.

They kept:

- Spezza (29 in a couple months)
- Alfredsson (39)
- Michalek (27)
- Phillips (almost 34)
- Gonchar (almost 38)
- Neil (33 this summer)
- Kuba (35)
- Anderson (almost 31).


Those 8 guys have an average age of 33!!!

Now, they most certainly have a bunch of good young players (Karlsson, Greening, Cowan and Turris namely), but there success has LARGELY come from not tearing it down. There success comes more from their veterans having bounce back seasons... not their youth stepping up.


What did they really do last year anyways? Trade Kelly and Fisher? Their prize pick last June isn't even on the roster. Not really a complete teardown.


This leads me to the belief that Columbus can succeed with some (several) of the parts they have. No doubt they need to restructure, make some moves, shed some salary, dump a few players... but I don't think they need to completely blow it up. Like Ottawa has shown, a retool can work.

 

[frankiefives]

I agree with you Ernie. However, Columbus has been attempting to "surround" its veterans with young talent for years and it isn't working. Obviously a big part of it is poor drafting but at some point, you need to start over. Do the Jackets really have any good veterans to help with a retool other than Nash?

 

[SkyFire47]

I agree with you Ernie. However, Columbus has been attempting to "surround" its veterans with young talent for years and it isn't working. Obviously a big part of it is poor drafting but at some point, you need to start over. Do the Jackets really have any good veterans to help with a retool other than Nash?

Carter and that's about it. maybe Prospal if he's still cheap.