Saving the Jackets Season - An EHM Dynasty

[TurnerONU22]

Although the real NHL hasn't been able to make a deal, this NHL was able to make a deal today, February 7th, and here are some of the main points from the new CBA:

- 52 million dollar budget, which encompasses the NHL and AHL teams, along with their staff salaries

- The guidelines for FA are the same as in the old CBA.

- For this season, instead of creating a new schedule, the games will be played out, starting on February 18th, and games will be added during the last week of the season to have equal number of games. For these games, the teams will be chosen at random, and the home team will be chosen at random as well. The playoffs will proceed as a normal playoff schedule.




Now that we have this all worked out, we can get to playing the games!

[TurnerONU22]

Here’s the training camp preview:

Left Wing:

Rick Nash
Projected Spot: 1st Line

Nash is the cornerstone of this franchise. He comes back to Columbus ready to go, after playing for HC Davos during the lockout. Nash is ready to show the league that last season wasn’t a fluke, and that he can do more than just score goals.

Geoff Sanderson
Projected Spot: 2nd Line

After being shipped off to Vancouver at the deadline, Sanderson was picked up off of waivers before the lockout began. Sanderson is a very streaky player who could score a hat trick one night, then not show up the next. Hopefully, he can find a groove in this shortened season.

Manny Malhotra
Projected Spot: 3rd Line

Malhotra was one of the best pickups for the Jackets during last season. He provided a spark that the team needed at times, and he seems to be a great fit on the third line, and is very versatile, which is good if anyone gets hurt.

Jody Shelley
Projected Spot: 4th Line – Scratched

Shelley has really come a long way in the past couple of years when it comes to his hockey skills. He will be a nice fighting presence on the team, and will play some good defense on the 4th line.

Tim Jackman
Projected Spot: Scratched – 4th Line - Syracuse

Jackman needs to step up and play more physically, but he hasn’t shown that as of yet. He’ll play some games on the 4th line, but has a chance of being sent back down to Syracuse if he doesn’t play up to his potential.

Center:

Todd Marchant
Projected Spot: 1st/2nd Line

Marchant, who might feel the most resentment from the fans after making some crazy comments as the Blue Jackets players rep, will play on one of the top two lines. His defense is great, and would help Nash out, but his two-way play might be better suited for the 2nd line.

Andrew Cassels
Projected Spot: 2nd/1st Line

Cassels looks to be on the 2nd line right now, but he might be a better fit with Nash. His age might be the only thing preventing him from being on that top line, as I would like to save some of his energy.

Alexander Svitov
Projected Spot: 3rd Line

Svitov looks to be ready to go after leading the Crunch in points during the lockout. He also showed some of that mean streak that we’ve wanted to see out of him. Hopefully, he can keep this up and play well on the 3rd line and get a chance on the 2nd line.

Tyler Wright
Projected Spot: 4th Line – Scratched

Wright looks to bring that grit and passion to the 4th line, and helping out Jody Shelley as well. He’ll share some time with the other center, depending on who we play and what combination we’re looking for.

Mark Hartigan
Projected Spot: Scratched – 4th Line – Syracuse

Hartigan played well as the 2nd center in Syracuse during the lockout and we hope he can contribute some up here and play his way onto the team.

Right Wing:

Nikolai Zherdev
Projected Spot: 1st Line – 2nd Line

Zherdev was impressive for CSKA during the lockout, and looks to earn a spot on the top line on this year’s team. If we can get Nash and Zherdev playing well together, I think we have a great chance of making the playoffs.

David Vyborny
Projected Spot: 2nd Line – 1st Line

Vyborny has been a stalwart on the top line, but could be supplanted by Zherdev this year. Vyborny would be excellent on the 2nd line, as he is Mr. Consistency, and will be a perfect counterpart for a streaky player like Sandy.

Trevor Letowski
Projected Spot: 3rd Line

T-Lo looks to bring his energy back to the Jackets and will be a solid presence on the 3rd line and on the PK. He’s someone who is hard to replace, so we hope Trevor can stay healthy this season.

Mike Pandolfo
Projected Spot: 4th Line

Mike has done a solid job in Syracuse and we hope he can contribute well to the Shelley-Wright or Jackman-Hartigan lines, and do his job on either line.

Defensemen:

Rostislav Klesla
Projected Spot: 1st Line

Klesla looks to step up in what might be his most important season as a Blue Jacket. He has a lot to prove and looks to take his promising stint in the Czech Republic and keep playing well over here

Jaroslav Spacek
Projected Spot: 1st Line

Spacek brings some consistency to the top line, and hopefully well help in Klesla’s development as a player. Spacek will need to be at the top of his game if this team is to make it to the playoffs.

Drake Berehowsky
Projected Spot: 2nd Line

Drake was just signed to the team only hours after the lockout ended. We knew we needed another solid presence on the blueline and we hope that Drake brings that to the club.

Scott Lachance
Projected Spot: 2nd Line

After a sub-par season with the Jackets last year, Scott looks to rebound and show the fans that he’s a capable defender. He doesn’t bring the offense with him, but we want him to be a little more physical

Luke Richardson
Projected Spot: 3rd Line - Scratched

Luke was in the same boat as Lachance last year, not having his best season. Being on the decline has really put Richardson relying on positioning, which isn’t his strong suit. We’re hoping to get some good quick minutes out of Luke.

Duvie Wescott
Projected Spot: 3rd Line

Duvie plays a really simple game, which is a good thing and a bad thing. You know what he’ll give you every night, but he doesn’t make many mistakes. He should help out on the 3rd Line.

Radoslav Suchy
Projected Spot: Scratched – 3rd Line - Syracuse

Radoslav was a signing before the lockout began, and we hope he provides some depth with the club.

Aaron Johnson
Projected Spot: Syracuse – 3rd Line

We want to keep Aaron developing in Syracuse while he works on his defense a little more. I think he can make the club full time next season, but he will be a good call-up if we need to.

Goaltenders:

Marc Denis
Projected Spot: Starter

With a short season, there might be even more pressure on the goaltender having a hot hand. Marc has been working out in Columbus during the lockout, and we hope that he’ll come right in and play solid.

Arturs Irbe
Projected Spot: Backup

We’re hoping to get a few games this season out of Irbe before he retires after the season. He’ll keep the spot warm for Pascal Leclaire to play next season.

[TurnerONU22]

Here's our tentative schedule (as I haven't added any extra games yet):

2/20 - @ San Jose
2/21 - @ Phoenix
2/24 - @ Dallas
2/25 - @ Anaheim
2/28 - v. Phoenix
3/01 - @ Detroit
3/07 - @ Tampa Bay
3/09 - @ Florida
3/10 - @ Carolina
3/14 - v. Calgary
3/16 - @ Atlanta
3/17 - v. NY Islanders
3/19 - v. Detroit
3/21 - v. Minnesota
3/24 - v. Calgary
3/26 - @ Edmonton
3/27 - @ Calgary
3/29 - @ Dallas
4/01 - v. St. Louis
4/03 - v. Nashville
4/05 - @ St. Louis
4/06 - @ Vancouver
4/08 - v. Chicago

That would be 14 away games and 9 home games for those who are counting. I hope that if we need to add another game, that we get it at home.

No preseason games this year, as the NHL knew that most of its players played or worked out during the lockout, so they felt that just a few days of training camp was good enough.

[TurnerONU22]

Game 1: Columbus (0-0-0-0 - 0 pts) @ San Jose (0-0-0-0 - 0 pts)

Transactions: D Aaron Johnson down to Syracuse

Scratches: LW Tim Jackman, C Mark Hartigan, D Radoslav Suchy

Early on in the game, the Sharks take some penalties early, and on the 4th PP of the night, TODD MARCHANT (1 g, 0 a) gets his first goal of the season to put the CBJ's up 1-0. Scott Hannan ties it up at one right before the first period end, as San Jose starts to get some momentum.

Both teams focus on playing defense to start the 2nd, but ALEXANDER SVITOV (1 g, 0 a) sneaks through to put the Jackets up 2-1. The Jackets go on the powerplay three times through the rest of the period, but aren't able to get the 2 goal lead, as the period ends.

San Jose continues to take penalties, including a 5 min major, but Nabokov has been impressive, single-handedly keeping his team in the game. However, the Jackets play some good defense as well, including a nice PK late in the game, and they are able to win the game. Jackets win 2-1 (1-0-0-0 - 2 pts)

Notes: We couldn't have asked for a better start to this short season, and hopefully we can continue to win some games. I'd like to work some on the PP, in hopes that we don't have to rely so much on our defense.

Next Up: @ Phoenix (0-0-1-0 - 1 pt)

[TurnerONU22]

Game 2: Columbus (1-0-0-0 - 2 pts) @ Phoenix (0-0-1-0 - 1 pt)

League News: None

Team News: None

Transactions: None

Scratches: D Radoslav Suchy, LW Jody Shelley, C Tyler Wright

The game starts back and forth early, but the Jackets capitalize on their first PP and RICK NASH (1 g, 0 a) scores his first of the season 4 minutes in. Halfway through the period, Brian Savage evens it up at 1-1. Phoenix uses the goal as momentum, but Marc Denis does a good job, and the period ends by stopping the PP.

A pretty boring start to the second period with a handful of shots. However, Phoenix picks it up in the middle of the period, and Ladislav Nagy picks up a goal to make it 2-1. The Blue Jackets see themselves have two PP's over the rest of the period, but can't capitalize on them.

The third period goes like the second, and the Yotes get a PP goal from Brett Hull to take a 3-1 lead, which would be all that they need. Jackets lose 3-1 (1-1-0-0 - 2 pts).

Notes: We should have came away with at least one point in that game, but we couldn't find a way to put the puck in the net. The 4th line of Jackman-Hartigan-Pandolfo struggled with each having a -2 on the night. I don't see them playing too much for the rest of the season. Also, I should have went w/Irbe in goal tonight, as Denis seemed a little worn out.

Next Up: @ Dallas (1-1-0-0 - 2 pts)

[TurnerONU22]

Game 3: Columbus (1-1-0-0 - 2 pts) @ Dallas (1-2-0-0 - 2 pts)

League News: Craig Patrick was fired as GM of the Pens, and replaced by Rick Dudley

Team News: LW Tim Jackman is Day-to-Day after being injured in the last game

Transactions: None

Scratches: D Luke Richardson, LW Tim Jackman, C Mark Hartigan

We come out early playing strong, gettting some shots on goal, but then take a careless penalty, which Jere Lehitnen takes advantage of, 1-0 Dallas. Later on in the period, Dallas almost scores on a PP, but a minute after, TYLER WRIGHT (1 g, 0 a) gets the equalizer. The Jackets keep the pressure on, and then 30 seconds into a PP, ROSTISLAV KLESLA (1 g, 0 a) gives Columbus a 2-1 lead. Columbus keeps the intensity up, forces the Stars into another penalty, and then TODD MARCHANT (2 g, 0 a) makes it a 3-1 game, which it stays til the end of the 1st.

Columbus kills an early penalty and gets the momentum back, but then loses it when Sergei Zubov scores for Dallas. The Stars get a couple more PP's but Marc Denis stands tall and lets the Jackets keep a one goal lead going into the 3rd.

Dallas comes out hot, and Bill Guerin gets a quick goal for Dallas, tieing it up with about 17 minutes left to play. Less than a minute later, the Jackets collapse and Rob DiMaio gives Dallas a one goal lead. Columbus commits a stupid penalty and Dallas' Mike Modano scores, giving Dallas a two goal lead. The same thing happens again, with Stu Barnes scoring about 6 minutes after the first goal of the period. 4 goals in 6 minutes results in a goalie change for Columbus. Rick Nash gets frustrated and takes out Aaron Downey in a fight, the only highlight for the Jackets in the 3rd. Jackets lose 6-3 (1-2-0-0 - 2 pts)

Notes: What a pathetic forty minutes of hockey, as Columbus fails to show up. Marc Denis has earned himself a night off, and the defense needs to regroup and quit making silly mistakes. This team must step up and win the next game, if it wants to have any chance of making the playoffs.

Next Up: @ Anaheim (3-0-0-0 - 6 pts)

[JeffNights]

Jeff Nights, sits in front of his TV, watching ESPN, Hockey game of the week....Hes happy the season has finally started!!

midway through the game....

"Dammit! more of the same boring bullshit!! cluthing , grabbing, low scoring, instigator rule still in effect! Score some goals! get my heart pumping dammit! I came back to this??

Jeff Nights turns the channel to reruns of "Married with...Children"

"Ah, Al Bundy...now thats what i'm talking about!"

[TurnerONU22]

Game 4: Columbus (1-3-0-0 - 2 pts) @ Anaheim (3-0-0-0 - 6 pts)

League News: None

Team News: None

Transactions: None

Scratches: D Jaroslav Spacek, LW Tim Jackman, C Mark Hartigan

I had this game written up and then I accidentally closed the screen. All you need to know is that we sucked even worse than in our last game, as Anaheim dominated in a 4-0 win. Jackets lose 4-0 (1-3-0-0 - 2 pts)

Notes: Another terrible effort by our team. We're getting horrible play from our goalies, and our defense, and mediocre play from our offense. This team needs to get some momentum in our home opener.

Next Up: v. Phoenix (3-0-1-0 - 7 pts)

[TurnerONU22]

Game 5: Phoenix (3-1-1-0 - 7 pts) @ Columbus (1-3-0-0 - 2 pts)

League News: None

Team News: Svitov was injured in the last game, but both he and Jackman are now 100 percent

Transactions: None

Scratches: D Drake Berehowsky, LW Tim Jackman, C Alexander Svitov

Columbus comes out playing hard, as both teams get some good shots off in the first few minutes. NIKOLAI ZHERDEV (1 g, 1 a) gets the good guys on the board, giving the Jackets a 1-0 lead off of a PP goal. Columbus keeps the pressure up, and keeps the puck in the Yotes end, and ANDREW CASSELS (1 g, 1 a) gives the CBJ's a 2 goal lead. Columbus ends the period on a sour note, as they take a stupid penalty.

We come out and kill the PP, which gives us some good momentum. Both teams see some powerplays, but GEOFF SANDERSON (1 g, 1 a) gets one in the net midway through the 2nd. Columbus gets 2 more PP opportunities, but can't capitalize on them.

Columbus keeps up the pressure, and hits the post three times in the first half of the 3rd, allowing Phoenix a slimmer of hope. More hope comes in a 2 min minor, followed by a 5 min major 20 seconds later, but Phoenix can't come away with a goal, and thats how the game ends. Jackets win 3-0 (2-3-0-0 - 4 pts).

Notes: This is the game we needed at home against a solid team like Phoenix. Denis showed what he is capable of, and the offense was able to get three goals. The defense played together as well, and everyone put in a great effort tonight.

Next Up: @ Detroit (4-0-0-1 - 9 pts)

[TurnerONU22]

Game 6: Columbus (2-3-0-0 - 4 pts) @ Detroit (4-0-0-1 - 9 pts)

Scratches: D Radoslav Suchy, RW Mike Pandolfo, C Mark Hartigan

We're goin with Irbe tonight, as Denis is still a little worn out. The game starts out pretty good for the Jackets, getting the puck down in the Red Wings end consistently, but Derian Hatcher scores on a nice shot 7 minutes in. The Wings use this as momentum and Steve Yzerman makes it 2-0. The Jackets get a fair amount of shots, 10, but still gave up 14 and two goals.

Columbus starts out by killing a powerplay, and does a good job of getting more shots off, but none still go in, and Darren McCarty finds an opening in the Jackets defesne, putting the puck in the net for a 3-0 lead. Columbus kills one powerplay, but can't kill the 2nd as Pavel Datsyuk scores. Brendan Shanahan makes it 5-0 just a couple minutes later and Irbe gets yanked. The Jackets end the period only 2 shots down, but 5 goals down.

A very, very, very boring third period. Both teams can't convert two powerplays, and both goalies played very well. Jackets lose 5-0 (2-4-0-0 - 4 pts)

Notes: Irbe and Legace made the Jackets look a lot worse than we really were tonight. Irbe gave up too many easy goals, and Legace made some incredible saves. For the first time, I can't say I was too displeased with the guys out on the ice in a 5-0 loss. However, Irbe is falling out of favor, which might result in Pascal Leclaire getting some time with the big club

Next Up: @ Tampa Bay (5-1-0-1 - 11 pts)

[TurnerONU22]

Game 7: Columbus (2-4-0-0 - 4 pts) @ Tampa Bay (5-0-0-1 - 9 pts)

League News: New York Rangers traded defenseman Jason Marshall, right wing Christian Matte and right wing Philippe Bozon to Montreal Canadiens for center Marcel Hossa

St. Louis Blues have fired head coach Mike Kitchen in order to shake up the team and get it out of the losing streak. The team has announced that Ted Nolan will be taking over the position.

Transactions: Sent D Drake Berehowsky and LW Tim Jackman down to Syracuse. Called D Aaron Johnson and D Jamie Pushor up to Columbus.

Scratches: D Radoslav Suchy, D Luke Richardson, C Alexander Svitov

We start off the game off hot, and put some pressure on the Lightning. NIKOLAI ZHERDEV (2 g, 2 a) gets a goal on the first PP for Columbus, putting them up 1-0 on the road. We keep attacking Tampa Bay, but Eric Chouinard sneaks through to tie it up. Both team gets some good shots, but it stays even after the first.

Frederik Modin gets a quick goal for Tampa, making it 2-1. Tampa Bay gets 2 PP's right after this, but Rick Nash does a tremendous job of killing the penalties and keeping us in the game. We then take a couple more stupid penalties, and Andre Roy scores at the end of the 2nd one, making it 3-1.

Tampa Bay gets a few quick shots off, and Martin St. Louis makes it a 3 goal game. Vaclav Prospal gets Tampa's 5th goal of the game on a 5 min PP. The Jackets had nothing left in the tank, getting only four shots on net. Jackets lose 5-1 (2-5-0-0 - 2 pts)


Notes: I'm sick of all these road games against tough teams to start the season. We're getting into a big hole early on, that we won't be able to get out of. Hopefully we can get some momentum soon.

Next Up: @ Florida (3-5-1-0 - 7 pts)