Blues Fire Payne...

[KennyBanyeah]

They've been searching for a 1st line center for years. Obviously Carter is the player they want it to be. Johansson needs some time to develop into that player. How much time is anybody's guess. Defensively the BJ's are a mess. Steve Mason needs some help. They don't even have a legit backup goalie.

Is it time for Columbus to just start over?

Yes and no.

They should start going younger. There's no reason, though, to get rid of a player like Nash.

I didn't like the Carter move. He's basically a poor man's Nash, but for the near future he's useful. You probably won't be able to move him any time soon and he's a useful top 6 forward. Keep him.

They need, IMO, to get rid of some of their second line type of forwards. Vermette, Brassard, Umberger all fill similar roles and take up too much money. Unload some of these guys, go young at forward and build from the net out.

Mason isn't the saviour that they thought he was. Rectify that with a solid veteran.

Their defense is pretty bad. Wisniewski is a nice piece of the puzzle but he's hit his ceiling and he won't ever be the top D-man on a contender. Good number 2 or 3 but get someone else to handle big minutes.

I think they need to change the way they're built but a full rebuild isn't necessary. Just some tweaks here or there.

Last but definitely not least...


GET A GM WITH A SET GAMEPLAN!!!

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yes and no.

They should start going younger. There's no reason, though, to get rid of a player like Nash.

I didn't like the Carter move. He's basically a poor man's Nash, but for the near future he's useful. You probably won't be able to move him any time soon and he's a useful top 6 forward. Keep him.

They need, IMO, to get rid of some of their second line type of forwards. Vermette, Brassard, Umberger all fill similar roles and take up too much money. Unload some of these guys, go young at forward and build from the net out.

Mason isn't the saviour that they thought he was. Rectify that with a solid veteran.

Their defense is pretty bad. Wisniewski is a nice piece of the puzzle but he's hit his ceiling and he won't ever be the top D-man on a contender. Good number 2 or 3 but get someone else to handle big minutes.

I think they need to change the way they're built but a full rebuild isn't necessary. Just some tweaks here or there.

Last but definitely not least...


GET A GM WITH A SET GAMEPLAN!!!

All great points. The question is will the Blue Jackets ownership fire the GM during the season or wait until the end of the year? Who do you think would be a good replacement?

If it were me I'd consider Ron Hextall. He started from the ground up & is now the Assistant GM of the Kings.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

All great points. The question is will the Blue Jackets ownership fire the GM during the season or wait until the end of the year? Who do you think would be a good replacement?

If it were me I'd consider Ron Hextall. He started from the ground up & is now the Assistant GM of the Kings.

I haven't thought of a good replacement. If they're going young they should pick a GM with a strong background in scouting and/or player development.

Ottawa has some guys that might fit that bill. Tim Murray (Bryan's nephew) has a real good eye for talent.

I'd advocate the BJs hiring him just to see the rampage that 43 would go on from seeing another of his teams run by a Murray.

 

[dash]

Ottawa has some guys that might fit that bill. Tim Murray (Bryan's nephew) has a real good eye for talent.

I'd advocate the BJs hiring him just to see the rampage that 43 would go on from seeing another of his teams run by a Murray.

Although no relation, how about Andy Murray being named the next Blue Jackets head coach?

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Although no relation, how about Andy Murray being named the next Blue Jackets head coach?

I think Andy Murray is one of the most underrated coaches out there. IMO, he's a much better option for the BJs than Hitch ever was.

 

[dash]

I think Andy Murray is one of the most underrated coaches out there. IMO, he's a much better option for the BJs than Hitch ever was.

The only knock on Andy Murray seems to be that he's too much of a micromanager (likes to have daily meetings/updates with players), but I think he's a pretty good coach as well.

 

[forty_three]

Some things:
1) Nash is a phenomenal player. But I never have agreed with giving your best player the C just because he's your best player. He is a very large component, not the centerpiece as was said. Carter could be, but someone like Brassard or Johansen is more likely the long term solution.
2) Their defense is bad because they let 2 workhorses go (Hejda and Stralman) and replaced them with a guy who got suspended and the dumbest D man since the Hatcher brothers. Neither Hejda or Stralman was going to light up the night, but neither one was going to get lit up either.
3) Tank for picks? Why not? They have a home until 2034. Who cares what the fans want? If they do that, though...
4) Goaltending. No one has mentored Mason on what to do when he got figured out. All they have is a coach who is apparently teaching him to be LESS aggressive. I would absolutely KILL to have a Glenn Healey, John Vanbiesbrouck, Mike Richter or Sean Burke around to talk to the kid and steady him. Hell, at this point I'd settle for bringing in Marty Turco. Yeah. I said it. That kid has gotten wrecked. And there is NOTHING in the pipeline for relief.
5) A related Murray? Fine. But if he's ever even BEEN to Edmonton, I will personally hunt him down and kill him. Nothing ever relating to Edmonton has any place in hockey.
6) An unrelated Murray? I dunno. He had some success, but I don't know how much his his micro-manager style would fit. What's Larry Robinson or Jacques LeMaire up to lately?

Thursday will be interesting to see. Carter is back (Surprisingly fast after not being able to go in Philly...), so hopefully some ice will open up for Nash. He's apparently taking a lot of this personally and rumor is he laid into a few guys in the room in Philly. One story even has him telling Arniel to "stay out of it" when he tried to interject. I wasn't there, so no idea what to believe. RJ Umberger was on the radio this morning and said basically that almost everyone on the team is pissed off and everyone knows who isn't. "That's all I'm going to say". Then he switched the conversation to being afraid of snakes.

Traded for a Center tonight. Someone is going away. But who?

I'd venture a guess that Brassard and someone (Please god let it be Aaron Johnson)will be looking for a home in Vancouver. Everyone is talking about Schneider.