(no subject)

[bzarcher]

Shutout #9 for Pazzy!



Kinda sucks to be Bob Gainey tonight. Invite the Jackets up because Ken's an old friend and you gave him his start in the NHL (and perhaps expected us to be an easy target) on your jersey retirement night, and watch your team get smacked around all evening.

Federov left in the third, no explanation. Wasn't hurt, far as I can tell, just skated off the ice after a shift and didn't come back. I suspect that means a trade will be announced, or it's close enough to finalized that they didn't want to risk injury.

I suspect if that's the case, we're going to start seeing dominos fall very quickly leading up to the deadline on Tuesday...

Comments

[flaggerx.livejournal.com]

Supposedly Federov had a charley-horse.

Well, in about 60 hours we can relax and spend the rest of the year talking about it.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

We'll see.

The paper already has the "post game" article up. I thought this was telling:

"As soon as the final buzzer sounded last night, the question in the Blue Jackets' dressing room became: “Is it enough?”

Is last night's win enough to convince Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson — who watched from high above — to strengthen the Blue Jackets between today and the NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Howson was mum on the subject all day yesterday. He has a difficult decision to make in the next 2½ days."

They're starting to sound like a team that wants it, don't they?

[flaggerx.livejournal.com]

I don't know. If I get a vote I'd vote for 'down the road' over 'right now'. The playoffs would be great, but the Cup's the thing, and I think this season alone ought to be reward enough.

I'd love to see the Richards deal, but will Richards visit Columbus? Sure it would be fun to play on a line with Rick Nash (and pretty scary for others) but Atlanta is a much bigger market, and the Jackets don't have much of a history.

I just want Howson to improve the team. This year would be great, but the thing shouldn't be just to get to the playoffs, but to do some damage while there.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Richards is only 26 and has three years left on his contract. If we make a move for him, can't it count as both?

What we lack in history and (to be blunt) winning record, I think we can make a decent headway on with potential, young talent coming in, and a very open, very friendly town. Almost every time you talk to a current or former Jacket, they talk about how friendly and supportive the fans are, and how nice the community is here.

This isn't an Edmonton or Calgary where you're watched like hawks and far from anywhere to get away, or a New York or Toronto where every screwup is front page news. The pressure to make the playoffs is building here, but it's nothing like the pressure in Montreal or Ottawa, where anything less than a conference finals appearance is a failed season.

I think that's a selling point, and the growing strength of the organization is hopefully quite attractive.

[flaggerx.livejournal.com]

If we get Richards, that will count as both. I know I'll need a change of underwear. But that's a big If. And I agree, Columbus is a very cool town to live in. I just don't know how many people know that. I'm not sure Richards has any way of knowing that.

We're just going to have to wait and see. I have my fingers crossed. I also remember the Indians teams of the sixties and seventies where as many trades blew up as worked.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

True enough, but I'm gonna be hopeful. :D I mean, sports wise, Ohio is owed some karma eventually...

[chaptal.livejournal.com]

Does Howson buy or sell? Man, it's a tough call with this team. I can see shedding Federov, but getting what in return?

They might be in too much of a hole to get the eighth spot, especially having played more games.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

The big rumor (on TSN, getting reported last night during pre- and post- game and a few other places, including the Dispatch) is that we're trying to get Brad Richards out of Tampa.

NJ supposedly has put some feelers out about Manny. If Ottawa really wants Feds, or Detroit...there's a lot of ways that we could be selling -and- buying.

[chaptal.livejournal.com]

Richards would be a good fit. Maybe they should give up some draft choices for a change.

Manny will not be missed, that was a sweet goal he scored last night. First one in two months.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Yep. I could see Howson trading a package that involved perhaps Brule or Hainsey + 1st rounder for Richards and feeling decent about it.

I like Manny as a guy, but 2 million for a faceoff specialist (who isn't that good at faceoffs, lately)....ew. If NJ wants him, take him with our blessing.

[chaptal.livejournal.com]

Brule, Hainsey and a 1st rounder for Richards - I'd pull that trigger.

Manny for spare zamboni parts would work for me.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

We'll see what happens...I'm seriously hoping Howson makes -some- kind of moves by Tuesday night. I know he wants to improve the franchise, not just this season, but sometimes you just gotta pull the pin and throw!

[flying-landon.livejournal.com]

Rumor up here is that Federov will return to the Detroit for a few years, then retire.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I've heard that, too. I also have heard that Ottawa and Montreal both made pitches to him. We'll see...