Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NHL
York accepts Jackets' two-way offer

Saturday, July 26, 2008 6:07 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Mike York will have to prove himself to the Blue Jackets in order to make $750,000 this season.


The Blue Jackets made a late-season jump back into free agency yesterday, signing veteran forward Mike York to a one-year contract.
It's a two-way deal that will pay York $750,000 should he stick with the Blue Jackets, or $100,000 if he plays for minor-league Syracuse.
"I'm going into camp to compete for a job," York said. "I want to prove myself.
"Let's be honest, I'm not coming off the greatest year in my career. So this is a great opportunity for me."
York, 30, played in the All-Star Game during the 2001-02 season. In his first six NHL seasons, he averaged 19 goals and 29 assists.

Continued.....

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NHL
This center isn't middling
Umberger hopes to be sidekick Nash desperately needs
Sunday, July 27, 2008 3:12 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Three weeks ago, center R.J. Umberger signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the Blue Jackets. Yesterday, he and his wife, Cara, went home-shopping before settling on a place in Powell.
But Umberger's pursuit of prime real estate is just getting started.
When Blue Jackets training camp opens for veterans Sept. 19, Umberger will be the leading candidate to play next to All-Star left winger Rick Nash on the No. 1 line.
It's a spot the 26-year-old would like to call home.
"An opportunity like that is something you dream about," Umberger said. "It's what I've always wanted and it's what I was in the playoffs trying to earn (this spring with the Philadelphia Flyers).
"I'm coming to camp willing to take what they give me, but I'm ready to earn my spot. I want to show them I can be a strong two-way player, a guy who helps out my wingers and makes them better."

Continued.....

 

[jimotis4heisman]

pazzy signs
3 yr 11.4m

 

[jimotis4heisman]

The Columbus Dispatch : Michael Arace commentary: Jackets are better for nearly same price

Blue Jackets goaltender Pascal Leclaire yesterday agreed to terms on a contract worth $11.4 million over three years. With that last bit of business, the Jackets' busiest summer since 2000 drew to a close. General manager Scott Howson radically reconstructed the roster -- and significantly upgraded it -- without breaking the bank or telling us how smart he is.

It was a little more than a year ago that Howson was hired to inject levelheaded professionalism into what had become a carnival. He said he was a patient man who would devise a plan. On the heels of huckster Doug MacLean, Howson's deliberate mien was a blessing and a curse.
It used to be that minor and misguided deals were trumpeted as gate-storming triumphs. Howson stepped in, assayed the situation, made minor tweaks, and waited. Many fans began to pine for MacLean, whose epic failures were, at least, dynamic. MacLean might think of invading Russia in winter -- but, by jiminy, he rallied the troops for the slaughter.
As it turns out, Howson's patience will no longer be confused with reticence. He has not delivered a center for Rick Nash, and that remains a problem. But no longer is there any doubt that Howson is a man of action and that he has a plan. Not since the inaugural roster was spit-glued together has the team had a remodeling project such as the one this summer.
To the tote board.


continued...
(recap of offseason moves)

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Michael Arace commentary: Jackets are better for nearly same price

Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:26 AM
By Michael Arace


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Blue Jackets goaltender Pascal Leclaire yesterday agreed to terms on a contract worth $11.4 million over three years. With that last bit of business, the Jackets' busiest summer since 2000 drew to a close. General manager Scott Howson radically reconstructed the roster -- and significantly upgraded it -- without breaking the bank or telling us how smart he is.
It was a little more than a year ago that Howson was hired to inject levelheaded professionalism into what had become a carnival. He said he was a patient man who would devise a plan. On the heels of huckster Doug MacLean, Howson's deliberate mien was a blessing and a curse.
It used to be that minor and misguided deals were trumpeted as gate-storming triumphs. Howson stepped in, assayed the situation, made minor tweaks, and waited. Many fans began to pine for MacLean, whose epic failures were, at least, dynamic. MacLean might think of invading Russia in winter -- but, by jiminy, he rallied the troops for the slaughter.

Continued........

 

[jimotis4heisman]

just got a text that boll broke his hand last week apparently playing some shinny

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Blue Jackets' Boll: Broken hand not a setback

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 2:55 AM
By Tom Reed


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

After leading the NHL in fighting penalties last season, Jared Boll and his sore right hand needed a summer break.
This wasn't what he had in mind.
The Blue Jackets winger said he suffered a broken right hand last week while playing pickup hockey in Toronto. Boll said he was hit in the glove by a puck that was shot from the point.
"It was kind of what happened to (Dan) Fritsche at the end of last season," Boll said yesterday as he arrived in Columbus with a cast on the hand. "The doctor said it was a clean break. It didn't even require surgery."
It's not uncommon for NHL players to be involved in summer pickup games to help stay in shape.

Continued.....

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Maybe the city's mild climate has softened up Blue Jackets forward Jason Chimera. The Edmonton native was back in his hometown last week for a celebrity golf tournament, and he was one of the players who complained about the cold.
"I'm not having fun," Chimera told the Edmonton Journal.
But we should probably cut him some slack; even Fernando Pisani, who plays for the Edmonton Oilers, complained.
"I can't feel my hands," Pisani said.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Players feel strongly about strength coach

Sunday, August 10, 2008 3:38 AM
By Tom Reed


The Columbus Dispatch

CHRIS RUSSELLDispatch
Tom Sestito lifts under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coach Barry Brennan.



Inside Nationwide Arena, it's the job of barrel-chested Barry Brennan to make muscles twitch and limbs quiver.
The Blue Jackets' strength and conditioning coach employs many methods to hone players' bodies, and he isn't afraid to use every inch of the facility to achieve a result.
On a recent weeknight, Brennan had eight Jackets prospects sprinting up the 42-step aisles in the arena's lower bowl. As the perspiring players caught their collective breath, a hemi-powered Jeep Cherokee was wheeled onto the concrete floor and placed in neutral.
Two by two, players made like bobsledders pushing the SUV for about 200 feet in exhausting 15-second intervals. Grunts, groans and the occasional profanity pierced the vacant arena.
"I love it when they curse at me," Brennan said. "I know they're getting something out of it."
The youngsters swear by Brennan more than they swear at him. About a dozen players, mostly prospects, are here working out under the tutelage of the 44-year-old former amateur boxer.

Continued.........

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Blue Jackets notebook
Prospect quits, agent tells Jackets

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 3:00 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

One of the Blue Jackets' most gifted prospects apparently has decided to quit playing hockey, only three months short of his 20th birthday.
Right winger Stefan Legein, the Jackets' second-round draft pick in 2007 and a player who has represented Canada in numerous international tournaments, had his agent notify the Blue Jackets of his decision yesterday.
"Stefan has informed us that he's not coming to (training) camp," general manager Scott Howson said. "We're surprised that Stefan has decided that this is what he wants to do. We're surprised it's come to this.
"We knew there were issues with Stefan going back to last spring. We've talked through it with him and we haven't had any success."

Continued.....

 

[ysubuck]

This story sounds bad. The first thing I thought was substance abuse issues.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

id heard this before. honestly when i first heard it i thought it was one of his pranks. this is a kid who claimed to be traded in the ohl more than ocne as a joke. i hadnt heard substance abuse issues. i do know he had some issues with the crunchies during the playoffs last year. him and zenon k got into it. he also looked ok, not great this summer. probably the firs time in his life he wasnt the man, including wjc where he wore the a for canada.

im thinking stay tuned on that.

timetable has been set for nikita, sept 10th he should be in columbus.

jon nasty mirasty will be in camp with the big boys this year... (if that name doesnt ring a bell youtube mirasty)

 

[ysubuck]

It just seems that a kid that was so driven and then all of a sudden lacks the passion for the game that was there before seems like a big red flag.

I asked you about Mirasty before!!!! Awesome!

I would love to see him just come up for Nashville and pound Tootoo but other than that I don't see him having a spot on the team.

Am I wrong?

 

[OHSportsFan]

jon nasty mirasty will be in camp with the big boys this year... (if that name doesnt ring a bell youtube mirasty)

that man knows how to both punch and take punches...

 

[jimotis4heisman]

It just seems that a kid that was so driven and then all of a sudden lacks the passion for the game that was there before seems like a big red flag.

I asked you about Mirasty before!!!! Awesome!

I would love to see him just come up for Nashville and pound Tootoo but other than that I don't see him having a spot on the team.

Am I wrong?

mirasty-boll has a broken hand. probably has something to do with it. you cant leave all the protection to commodore and okt... assuming its a typical preseason game figure half the guys dress, that should ensure you have someone to protect jake, brassard and nikita.

i have no idea. ryder did something similar to the flames last year and he will be back. stefan does have a full ride to any canadian college as part of his playing in the ohl. quinn pittcock gave up football this year. like i said i dont really know so i dont want to comment. i think thats the only fair thing to say/do.