So, the finale...

[bzarcher]

The Jackets lost their season finale. It was odd - kinda like this entire 2007-8 season in microcosm: A good start (1-0 lead), a rough transition, and all the hard effort (48 shots on goal) didn't get them anywhere.

St. Louis won, and I've been in a bit of a grump since, though dinner with everyone afterwards went pretty well.

I think it's significant that Hitchcock's postgame comments were "Everyone needs to feel their job is up for grabs. There's only 2 or three exceptions." I'm pretty sure those exceptions are named Nash, LeClaire, and Zherdev.

I am hoping for a busy and exciting offseason, and a push that leads us, finally, god damn them, to the playoffs next year.

But it does suck to realize that we're done this year, and how badly it ended.

Comments

[chaptal.livejournal.com]

After Peca's little comments after the game I hope they do not resign him. Idiot.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I'm ambivalent. It wasn't put in the best way, but I have to admit "If I'm playing here, I want to be playing to win a championship" isn't such a bad attitude to have.

[flaggerx.livejournal.com]

I like what Howson said that from now on it's all about winning, and about staying a winning team. I like hearing that we should expect lots of press conferences. And I like it that Peca wants to win. Basically he's said he can be signed, provided we move agressively, a reasonable expectation. And I want him back one hell of lot more than I want Maholtra, no matter how many face offs he wins.

In fact, I agree that there are only three players who have truly earned spots next year, and you already named 'em.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

*nods* I should also be fair to Jan Hejda - he did a good job, especially after Foote left. (In fact, his +/- skyrocketed after Foote left which...well, says a lot...)

[flaggerx.livejournal.com]

and his +/- was pretty good before. I think the future is bright. I think my goal for the playoffs is pay a lot of attention to the defencemen, and see if I can become a little bit brighter about what good defenseplay looks like.