Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)

[OSUScoonie12]

It's pretty obvious that Howson's strategy is to try and rebuild the team. He is getting all these draft picks, but i'm not sure that's the best thing for the Blue Jackets. If we have to wait for the team to rebuild, we will be waiting another 5+ years before the draft picks actually become something. I think the fans and organization will not give Howson the time to see it all come together.

The other way Howson might be going is stockpiling these draft picks to package with current players for top talent guys. I could see us making some big moves on draft day. And if we do trade Nash now, it will be on draft day. Throwing Nash into a package would be huge for other teams, and we'd probably get the most out of a Nash trade of draft day.

Howson still seems to have no idea what he is doing, or has a clear vision for the future. Personally, I would of rather seen us go for more big name guys that are actually proven. Jack Johnson was a great pickup, but I would've liked to see us get a solid goalie and/or another offensive threat. But looks like we are not getting any time soon.

 

[OH10]

I have no problem with Howson right now. The original Carter trade was a huge mistake, but he couldn't have foreseen how poorly Carter would take it and he made up for it big time by getting Jack Johnson and a #1 pick.

He's holding onto to Nash, knowing he'll get a better deal on draft day. I think people are just looking for someone to blame other than the leaderless captain whose team quit 3 months ago.

 

[3074326]

Nash has been throwing Howson under the bus saying he didn't want to be traded when he did. His agent admitted as such yesterday. And now we blame Howson for sticking up for the organization?

Ridiculous.

What's ridiculous is that Howson just ruined whatever the Jackets were going to get in return for Nash. Saying that Nash asked to be traded is going to kill his trade value. Other teams know the Jackets have no choice but to trade him.

Howson is a fucking idiot. He turned down a pretty big package from the Rangers for Nash today. He won't get close to that in the off-season after today's press conference. I don't understand his logic..

And what has Howson done to deserve any kind of defense? He might be the worst GM in the NHL.

 

[Bucklion]

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7...jackets-gm-says-rick-nash-asked-trade-january

Story on Nash wanting out.

 

[AKAK]

What's ridiculous is that Howson just ruined whatever the Jackets were going to get in return for Nash. Saying that Nash asked to be traded is going to kill his trade value. Other teams know the Jackets have no choice but to trade him.

Howson is a fucking idiot. He turned down a pretty big package from the Rangers for Nash today. He won't get close to that in the off-season after today's press conference. I don't understand his logic..

And what has Howson done to deserve any kind of defense? He might be the worst GM in the NHL.

No, actually, I'd say this is the first thing he's done to deserve some defense (well, other than the afforementioned escape from Jeff Carter)

I was of a different opionion until the Nash camp came out and said that there list of teams wouldn't expand in the summer and trying to force Howson's hand. Nash is the Blue Jackets biggest asset. Fuck Nash and his agent if the want to aks for a trade and then have the balls to ask that he be given away.

You're right, it may all blow up and the Rangers deal might be the best offer they get. But, until that happens, good for Scott Howson, poor dumb bastard that he is, for not being strongarmed.

To be honest, I'd call him and tell him he's gonna be lucky to get traded in the summer if his list doesn't get significantly longer.

Fuck, If I'm Howson, I'm fucked anyway, don't trade the guy, use the Carter Money to sign someone else reasonably decent, give that guy the "C" and tell Nash we're just gonna eat the money to watch him pout.

 

[colobuck79]

Nash gets a pass from me (an unaffected and unbiased outside observer) after playing for that lousy organization for so long. Money is one thing, but it's like playing for the Sacremento Kings, or Montreal Expos, or any of these organizations that screw everything up. Then night in and night out playing in front of a half filled arena. Pass. (I will eat my words when they finally put a product out there worth watching).

 

[BayBuck]

No, actually, I'd say this is the first thing he's done to deserve some defense (well, other than the afforementioned escape from Jeff Carter)

I was of a different opionion until the Nash camp came out and said that there list of teams wouldn't expand in the summer and trying to force Howson's hand. Nash is the Blue Jackets biggest asset. [censored] Nash and his agent if the want to aks for a trade and then have the balls to ask that he be given away.

You're right, it may all blow up and the Rangers deal might be the best offer they get. But, until that happens, good for Scott Howson, poor dumb bastard that he is, for not being strongarmed.

To be honest, I'd call him and tell him he's gonna be lucky to get traded in the summer if his list doesn't get significantly longer.

[censored], If I'm Howson, I'm [censored]ed anyway, don't trade the guy, use the Carter Money to sign someone else reasonably decent, give that guy the "C" and tell Nash we're just gonna eat the money to watch him pout.

+1. I never side with the athlete who is under contract and uses his agent to force a trade/extension through the media. I love Nash for all he's done on this team, but he never should have let Joe Resnick get involved publicly on this one.

 

[3074326]

I just simply can't understand defending Howson here. I'll just leave it at that. I understand being mad at Nash too. But not being mad at Howson? He just fucked the Blue Jackets. Again. Sometimes I wonder if he's trying to lose.

 

[3074326]

I just simply can't understand defending Howson here. I'll just leave it at that. I understand being mad at Nash too. But not being mad at Howson? He just fucked the Blue Jackets. Again. Sometimes I wonder if he's trying to lose.

EDIT: Ok.. I can't help myself. I'm going to pile it on Howson.

No, actually, I'd say this is the first thing he's done to deserve some defense (well, other than the afforementioned escape from Jeff Carter)

I was of a different opionion until the Nash camp came out and said that there list of teams wouldn't expand in the summer and trying to force Howson's hand. Nash is the Blue Jackets biggest asset. Fuck Nash and his agent if the want to aks for a trade and then have the balls to ask that he be given away.

You're right, it may all blow up and the Rangers deal might be the best offer they get. But, until that happens, good for Scott Howson, poor dumb bastard that he is, for not being strongarmed.

To be honest, I'd call him and tell him he's gonna be lucky to get traded in the summer if his list doesn't get significantly longer.

Fuck, If I'm Howson, I'm fucked anyway, don't trade the guy, use the Carter Money to sign someone else reasonably decent, give that guy the "C" and tell Nash we're just gonna eat the money to watch him pout.

He could've done all that. But, he could've done it all without saying "LOL NASH CAME TO US AND ASKED FOR A TRADE GUYS!!!" Seriously, him coming out and saying that is one of the most baffling moves I've seen in years in the NHL. He said in an interview yesterday that he waited until after the trade deadline to make that public because he knew it would hurt Nash's trade value. IT FUCKING HURTS IT AFTER THE DEADLINE TOO YOU STUPID MOTHERFUCKER! Christ, he's incompetent beyond belief.

Nash wants out because his bosses are what's wrong with this team. I've left jobs for the same reason - it's hard to be around people who don't have a clue.

I'm actually mad.

EDIT: All profanity and name-calling is directed at Howson. I don't think AKAk is a stupid MF. :p

 

[BayBuck]

I just simply can't understand defending Howson here. I'll just leave it at that. I understand being mad at Nash too. But not being mad at Howson? He just [censored]ed the Blue Jackets. Again. Sometimes I wonder if he's trying to lose.

If NYR were really willing to trade a fortune for Nash this week, they'll probably still be willing to go big after the season. There's a lot to hate about Howson's tenure in Columbus, but not getting leveraged into trading our best-ever player at the deadline is not on my list.

 

[Bucklion]

I just simply can't understand defending Howson here. I'll just leave it at that. I understand being mad at Nash too. But not being mad at Howson? He just [censored]ed the Blue Jackets. Again. Sometimes I wonder if he's trying to lose.

EDIT: Ok.. I can't help myself. I'm going to pile it on Howson.



He could've done all that. But, he could've done it all without saying "LOL NASH CAME TO US AND ASKED FOR A TRADE GUYS!!!" Seriously, him coming out and saying that is one of the most baffling moves I've seen in years in the NHL. He said in an interview yesterday that he waited until after the trade deadline to make that public because he knew it would hurt Nash's trade value. IT [censored]ING HURTS IT AFTER THE DEADLINE TOO YOU STUPID [censored]! Christ, he's incompetent beyond belief.

Nash wants out because his bosses are what's wrong with this team. I've left jobs for the same reason - it's hard to be around people who don't have a clue.

I'm actually mad.

EDIT: All profanity and name-calling is directed at Howson. I don't think AKAk is a stupid MF. :p

If NYR were really willing to trade a fortune for Nash this week, they'll probably still be willing to go big after the season. There's a lot to hate about Howson's tenure in Columbus, but not getting leveraged into trading our best-ever player at the deadline is not on my list.

Or it's possible that Howson has already made the tactical decision to keep Nash and he decided to run the PR battle on his terms. In any event, though, none pf it makes much sense, if you have Nash one would presume you want him happy, and he isn't going to be when this all goes public.

 

[3074326]

If NYR were really willing to trade a fortune for Nash this week, they'll probably still be willing to go big after the season. There's a lot to hate about Howson's tenure in Columbus, but not getting leveraged into trading our best-ever player at the deadline is not on my list.

Why would they offer the same package? Howson has no leverage anymore. This is why I'm mad at Howson. Value drops when it's made public that a player wants out. Dany Heatley got very little in return. I expect the same for Nash now, unfortunately.

This is a very sad attempt at a rebuild.

What's more important - showing Nash who is in charge, or getting better? The answer is clear.. but not to the organization..

 

[OH10]

I think the only reason for outing Nash is to force his hand to expand his list of approved teams if he truly wants out of Columbus.

The problem I have with giving Nash a pass here is the same problem I had with people defending Lebron for leaving Cleveland. We're seeing now that Lebron's problem is Lebron. The Cavs had the best record in the league two years in a row and he wilted in the playoffs, just like he did last year against the Mavs. He's the reason he hasn't won a title and yet he kicked his teammates, the fans, and ownership under the bus on his way out.

Just maybe Nash IS the problem and he wants to blame everyone else. We gave this guy the "C", a boatload of money, and everything but the key to the city to be the cornerstone of this franchise. We needed him to be the great player and leader we were paying him to be. And he just fucking isn't that player. If you really want to blame Howson for something significant, blame him for paying Nash that much money in the first place and trying to build a team around a guy who is, at best, a second or third fiddle player on a winning team. We thought he was a first fiddle guy and some fans are still acting like he is against all evidence to the contrary.

This team clearly quit about 3 months ago. Generally the fans will blame leadership. NASH IN THE LEADERSHIP! He's failed BIG TIME. If he's pissed off at the organization for their current record, maybe he should take a nice good look in the fucking mirror.

 

[tsteele316]

Why would they offer the same package? Howson has no leverage anymore. This is why I'm mad at Howson. Value drops when it's made public that a player wants out. Dany Heatley got very little in return. I expect the same for Nash now, unfortunately.

This is a very sad attempt at a rebuild.

What's more important - showing Nash who is in charge, or getting better? The answer is clear.. but not to the organization..

this happens all the time, in all sports, and it doesn't really hurt trade value. this is one area where you can't pile on howson.

 

[3074326]

Rick Nash, why aren't you a generational hockey talent that can make up for the lack of drafting, scouting and good trading that has happened for the Jackets? Why can't you hire a good GM? Why can't you get a #1 center? Why can't you get a #1 defenseman? Why can't you make a team full of players on pace for less than 40 points be good?

That's basically what you just said.

Nash has played with two legitimate top-line players in his entire career on the Jackets. Jeff Carter and Ray Whitney. Think about that. He's never had a #1 defenseman.

I don't have a problem with being mad at Nash, but blaming him for the ineptitude of the organization is hilarious to me.