On one hand the Jackets got off to a good start, once again scored the first goal and held the opposition to under 3 goals. All areas that they have really struggled in during this never-ending streak.
On the other hand the offense has completely dried up, powerplay has turned to poop and the Jackets have been unable to not only extend a lead but hold the slim one they have.
Result: A 2-1 loss to Detroit.
Hey at least it wasn't 9-2? Hello...? Beuhler?
The team cannot get out of it's own way and have now dropped 17 of their past 19.
I'm not even going to do a stoplight for this game. Instead it's time for a reality check.
The brass won't admit it (or are in denial) but I will - this season is OVER folks.
Cooked.
Toast.
Kaput.
Throw in the towel.
Waive the white flag.
UNCLE! UNCLE!
Common sense should tell everyone as much but in case you're still fighting it sportsclubstats.com gives the Jackets a 0.44% chance of making the playoffs.
It would take a run for the ages for this team to make the playoffs and quite frankly that just ain't gonna happen with this group.
I'm as pissed off as anyone about this as this nightmare is about the worst thing that could have happened to the franchise. The timing is atrocious. The momentum built from last season is gone and then there is the arena lease issue that is hanging over everyone's head..... but reality is reality.
One thing I do know is that I"m sick and tired of cutting corners. I try to sympathize with this market and the position ownership is in but the bottom line is if you want to win in the big leagues you have to spend in the big leagues.
I"m tired of it. This team has been without a #1 center and #1 dman it's entire 9 year existance... and we wonder why we lose?
I'm tired of seeing players under perform and I"m tired of watching other franchises draft and develop players while we fumble around like a monkey ****** a football.
I'm tired of constantly drafting high and busting out.
Most of all I'm tired of the losing. Last season was a step but that was only a nibble. That was supposed to be just a taste of what was yet to come.
So now what? Burn my tickets? Send nasty-grams? Tag it? Bag it?
Every fan will cope their own way but one thing we should all demand is significant change.
If I'm Howson here's what I do:
First a decision must be made on who to move before the trade deadline. This is a prime opportunity to trim some fat on this roster. Modin and Torres are moved for whatever I can get - that's obvious - although Modin does have a NTC. Perhaps there is a taker for a guy like Huselius, Chimera or Pahlsson? One can dream. I don't take any roster players back whose contracts don't expire at the end of the year if I can help it. Draft picks or pure salary dumps are preferred. Roster spots are filled by prospects on the farm to evaluate how close they are to being full time NHLers.
I ride out the season with Hitch behind the bench. At season's end I have a "come to Jesus" meeting and decide if he's still right for this team. Is his style still effective? Has the team tuned him out? Does he still want to be here? If he is still the right fit then you go "all in" and get him the veteran players he covets with the goal of winning now. If he's not then you bring in a coach who can and wants to develop youngsters on the fly at the NHL level because Columbus will always have them. In fact most team in a cap system will have them.
Nobody goes home until a complete post-mortem on what, when, where and why things went wrong is conducted. Every player from the captain on down is given an honest evaluation. The same goes for every coach and every aspect of the hockey operations including GM Scott Howson.
Depending on what the decision is with Hitch will depend on what I do with Filatov. If Hitch is let go then Filatov is brought back. If Hitch is retained then Filatov is moved.
A #1 dman or a #1 center must be brought in either through free agency or trade. If that means the team has to sacrifice some of it's younger talent or a #1 pick to do so then so be it. I'm talking a young and legit center or dman - think Dion Phaneuf or Eric Staal type players. They aren't available often but I kick every tire until there is no tread left on my boots. I listen to every offer and nobody on my roster is untouchable. It's time to stop half assing it and hoping a wing can become a center or that a young draft pick is ready to take the next step. At least one of these two holes must be filled.
I do a complete re-evaluation of how players are being developed in this organization. Why did Mason, Brassard and Voracek regress? What really happened with Filatov? Should these players have billet families? Were they not mentally and physically prepared for the year 2 grind? If not then why? Should they have spend the offseason in Columbus again? Etc.
Ownership has to decide if they want to run with the big boys in this league. If they want to remain a bottom spending team - even through I'm fully aware they've spent more than ever - then they need to expect bottom spending results which will result in a further eroding fanbase and corporate sponsorship dollars. It's not my money so it's easy for me to say -- but this is the business of pro sports.
Bottom line is this franchise needs to be strategizing on how to get this squad back on track for next year because this year is over. There could be a run here or there but the mountain is too high and the hole too deep. A panic move by Howson right now is only going to handcuff him this offseason. Every move made now has to be with the goal of being a top team next season.
As much as this sucks these are and will always be my boys. This is our NHL team. I'll continue support them by buying tickets and watching games but expectations have risen. We all deserve more for our entertainment dollars. The performance this season is unacceptable and I demand, as should you, legitimate steps be taken to correct not only the flaws in this roster but the flaws in this organization.
Certainly those in charge or well aware of this but if significant changes does not occur then I certainly won't blame fans for re-evaluating where to spend their entertainment dollars.
FIRE AWAY - have you given up on this season?
-LTL
