NHL FanHouse

Cam Ward Taken to Hospital Following Cut on Leg

Adam Gretz — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Hurricanes, NHL Injuries, NHL Videos

Scary moment in Columbus on Saturday night as Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward had to leave the game early in the first period and be taken to a hospital after receiving cut on his leg following a collision with the skate blade of Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash.

Ward was down for quite a while, and as he slowly made his way to the bench blood could be seen on the ice. Video after the jump (and it's not as graphic as you might think. It's hard to even see what happened).

According to Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice following the game, Ward's injury is "significant." Obviously the first thing that comes to mind when talking about players being injured by skate blades are the horrific accidents involving former Buffalo Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk and former Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik.

Hopefully for Ward's sake, his injury isn't anywhere near as serious.

As for the game itself, the Hurricanes dropped their 12th in a row, 3-2, and fall to 2-11-3 overall. They currently have a league-worst seven points in the standings.

Cam Ward Taken to Hospital Following Cut on Leg originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Fight of the Week: Princeton's Favorite Son Drops Them Again

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Canucks, Ducks, Penguins, Predators, Rangers, Sharks, Wild, NHL Fans, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

A light week on the card, but there was a relatively surprising bout and some pretty good ones to choose from. Highlighting it is our favorite former Princeton player, a gentleman who has made a name for himself by being a really good fighter. Of course, the big news of the week involved a team captain dropping the gloves with a random defenseman.

Huh? Fight of the Week: Marek Zidlicky vs. Sidney Crosby

Sometimes, guys are obviously planning to fight before they drop the gloves. Others are clearly spontaneous. This one falls under the latter. Crosby and Zidlicky had enough of using their sticks, and decided to use fists instead. Watch it here.

Beatdown of the Week: Kent Huskins vs. Jared Boll

Boll is one of the league's real up-and-coming heavyweights, and he dominated this scrap. It started with a hard hit on Huskins by Boll, and quickly became a fight. Just as fast as it started, Boll emphatically ended it. He then proceeded to stand over his conquest like a predator stands over lunch. Watch the fight here.

Runner-Up: Dane Byers vs. Tanner Glass

This was a little quick for most fans' tastes, but some really good punches were thrown. Byers got off to a quick start, but Glass got the last laugh, or "shot," if you prefer. Check it out here.

Fight of the Week: Wade Belak vs. George Parros

Parros is a top fighter, and he got all he could handle in this one from Thursday night. The Predators might not have done much to stay in the game, but Belak more than held his own against one of the best.

There is some solid back-and-forth between the two, and the ending is kind of a surprise. Too bad for the Ducks' TV people that the fight was over by the time they got the "Tale of the Tape" graphic ready.

Fight of the Week: Princeton's Favorite Son Drops Them Again originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Ovechkin Hurt in Loss to Columbus

Adam Gretz — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:40:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Capitals, NHL Injuries, NHL Videos

The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets played an overtime thriller on Sunday afternoon, with the Jackets picking up the 5-4 win thanks to R.J. Umberger's game-winner (and second goal of the game) at the 1:45 mark of the extra frame.

Perhaps the biggest concern for Capitals fans isn't the outcome on the scoreboard, but the status of the league's leading scorer and back-to-back MVP winner, Alex Ovechkin, who left the game after playing just 7:43.

From the Capitals Web site:

A few minutes before leaving, Ovechkin was involved in an altercation in front of the Blue Jackets' bench. During a break in play barely a minute into the second period, Ovechkin was bumped by Columbus left wing Jason Chimera and Ovechkin responded with a shove and players from both teams skated over to the scrum. Ovechkin, Chimera and Blue Jacket right wing Jared Boll all received minors for roughing, and Boll was also issued a misconduct.

As if the league didn't have enough star players injured through the first month of the season.

The team announced, via Twitter, that Ovechkin is day-to-day with an upper body injury, and that because of an off day on Monday, there won't be an update on his status until Tuesday. He's currently leading the league in most offensive categories, including goals (14), points (23), and shots on goal (85).

The third period saw the two teams combine for five goals, including a pair from Raffi Torres, who tied the game for Columbus with just 16 seconds to play in regulation. Rick Nash opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets early in the second period with this goal that probably won't be showing up on the highlight reel for Washington's defense this season:

Washington has now lost back-to-back games at home following a six-game winning streak, but has still managed to gain at least a point in the standings in nine straight games. The Capitals haven't lost in regulation since their 3-2 loss in Detroit all the way back on October 10.

Ovechkin Hurt in Loss to Columbus originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Blue Jackets Livid at Scuderi After Hip Check on Chimera

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:45:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Kings, Western, NHL Videos, NHL Discipline

As talk of NHL discipline heats up early in the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets would like a little bit of love from the league office.

During a 6-2 pasting at the hands of Los Angeles Sunday night, Columbus forward Jason Chimera carried the puck across the Kings' blue line, and was met promptly by a low hit from defenseman Rob Scuderi. What appeared to be an attempt at a solid hip check was treated as anything but by the Blue Jackets.

First off, a look at the videotape.

Scuderi was not penalized. Chimera was given a misconduct, presumably for chirping at the Kings' bench after he (thankfully) got up after the hit. Derek Dorsett picked up a game misconduct after jumping off the bench to get involved in a post-hit fracas. Dorsett, however, was said to be coming on as part of a line change, and his argument apparently won the league over, as he will not be suspended further.

Chimera was livid after the game.

"It's a dirty hit. There's no room in the game for that kind of (expletive). A guy takes your knees out, what are you supposed to do? It wasn't a hip check at all. It was a direct hit on the knee. That's the way it goes, I guess. And he doesn't want to fight after a hit like that, either. I landed on my face, on the ice. My neck was squished against the ice. I'm lucky I don't have a concussion or something. It's a dirty hit and there's no room in the game for it. Too many guys now are getting carried off the ice on a stretcher. It's just dirty stuff. It shows no level of respect. I don't care if Scuderi's a good player. He needs to stick up for himself. You fight after you do something like that to somebody."

Scuderi did not offer an apology, instead claiming that his hit on Chimera was clean. He also told reporters that he didn't have a problem with the way Columbus reacted, saying they were just standing up for a teammate.

It's not hard to understand why this hit is so controversial. Scuderi tried to throw an old-school hit, but he got a bit too close to Chimera's knees for comfort.

Now, for the $64,000 question: Should Scuderi face supplemental discipline?

It could be argued that he hit Chimera too low, but was it intentional? This isn't as clear-cut as most hits that result in suspensions. For example, you can't argue that Tuomo Ruutu was trying to throw a clean hit on Darcy Tucker. The argument in favor of suspending Scuderi alleges intent that isn't abundantly clear.

While the Blue Jackets' reaction is completely understandable, and Scuderi was wrong not to have fought later in the game when asked, the NHL's hands are virtually tied when it comes to suspending the defenseman. Any supplemental discipline here would open up a huge can of worms that the league isn't prepared to open.

(UPDATE: Scuderi was fined by the NHL)

Blue Jackets Livid at Scuderi After Hip Check on Chimera originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Backchecking With ... Steve Mason

Susan Slusser — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets

We get to know NHL players with five quick questions. Today's subject: Steve Mason, whose Blue Jackets are currently ranked second in the Central Division. Mason is the league's reigning rookie of the year.

What is your earliest hockey memory?

I just played road hockey in the street with my friends in Canada -- that was the thing to do, rollerblades, running around in shoes, whatever. I'm still friends with all of those guys. They definitely think I'm very fortunate, but they don't treat me any differently.

What is your favorite thing about playing in the NHL?

Being able to do something I love. My whole life, my goal has been to be in the NHL. To be able to go around and see all the NHL cities, I'm living the dream. You couldn't ask for more. Plus, I'm around the greatest group of guys -- and I'm not worrying about the bus anymore.

What's the worst part?

I don't think there is a worst part. Obviously, it's a tough schedule, but there are people getting up and going to work at 7 a.m. every day. We play hockey. Everything's good.

Which player would you most like to run into the boards hard?

Tomas Holmstrom from Detroit. He gives me a lot of grief in front of the net. We play them six times. He's in the crease too much, the entire period, especially on the power play. With the rules, you can't force him out, he can just stand there and get on my nerves.

If you could be one teammate, who would it be and why?

It's got to be Nasher (Rick Nash). He's got a lot going for him. He's the captain, he's been on the Olympic team, and he's had a lot of success in the NHL. He's the face of the franchise. That's a good spot to be in.

Backchecking With ... Steve Mason originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Fight of the Week: Colton Orr Takes Over

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Avalanche, Blue Jackets, Flames, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Predators, Senators, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

Some weeks, this job is just too easy. Our search for the best hockey fights includes a couple dandies this week, including a classic heavyweight battle in Toronto. It's the kind of bout that makes Brian Burke smile. Check out our runners-up, along with video of this week's best fight, after the jump.

Runner Up: Matt Walker vs. Chris Neil

Video here. Walker got some good early shots in, but Neil had a rally in him. This went from being a one-sided affair to quite competitive very quickly.

Runner Up: Jared Boll vs. Brandon Prust

Boll is one of the more underrated fighters in the league. He's big and strong, and also happens to be tough as nails. Prust brought some intensity to this fight, and he didn't back down after Boll landed an early right that would have staggered a lot of guys. Watch Prust make an impressive comeback here.

Runner Up: Zack Stortini vs. Triston Grant

Last week, we showed you Stortini standing and watching as skilled teammate Sam Gagner got in a scrap. No more of that, as Stortini mixed it up Tuesday, as his Oilers were blowing out the Predators. Stortini is a lot bigger than Grant, but the Nashville youngster held his own, mainly by keeping a strong hold on Stortini and limiting his ability to punch. Watch the video here.

Fight of the Week: David Koci vs. Colton Orr

This is easy. You don't even have to watch the video to know it's awesome, because Koci and Orr have plenty of experience and are more than capable of putting on a show. The heavyweights wore each other down, and there were more than a few punches thrown. Apologies for the lack of sound, but the feed that night had audio issues throughout. It's too bad, because it would be worth money to hear Joe Bowen call a fight this good.

Fight of the Week: Colton Orr Takes Over originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Vanek Scores 2, Likely Out 'Weeks' With Upper Body Injury

Adam Gretz — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Flames, Sabres, Red Wings, NHL Injuries

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Sabres 6, Red Wings 2: The Sabres scored four goals in seven minutes during the second period of their 6-2 win against the Red Wings on Tuesday, chasing Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood after he surrendered five goals on just 22 shots. Leading the way for Buffalo was Thomas Vanek with two goals, including what turned out to be a costly score when he was injured falling into the boards after poking in a rebound. He left the game and did not return with an "upper body injury" that appears to be fairly serious.

After the jump: Vanek's status, hit of the day, and more

Following the game, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said his All-Star winger could be out "weeks" with the injury.

Vanek missed nine games a season ago, which played a big role in the Sabres missing the playoffs as they went 3-5-1 in his absence and fell short of the postseason by just two points.

Drew Stafford, Patrick Kaleta, Clarke MacArthur and Paul Gaustad also scored for Buffalo, while Ryan Miller stopped 23 shots.

Blue Jackets 2, Flames 1: Columbus continued its fast start with a 2-1 win over Calgary on Tuesday. Anton Stralman scored his first goal as a member of the Blue Jackets, while Kristian Huselius' marker two minutes later proved to be the game-winner. Steve Mason turned aside 22-of-23 shots for Columbus as Calgary dropped its third game in a row, ending what turned out to be a disappointing -- and at times embarrassing -- two-game road trip.

Tuesday's Other Game

Toronto continues its early season struggles. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Go Green Nights return in Tampa Bay. Own a bike? Have a phone book you're looking to get rid of? Then you can see some free (or discounted) hockey on October 22 against the San Jose Sharks.

-- Gabriel Desjardins takes a look at Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala and asks the question we're all asking after his first four starts: does he really suck this much? [Behind The Net]

Video Of The Day

Patrick Kaleta, meet Niklas Kronwall.

Wednesday's Key Games

Pittsburgh vs. Carolina: The Penguins are unbeaten away from Mellon Arena this season and look to go a perfect a 4-0 on their current road trip. It's a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Final. No word on whether or not Bill Cowher will be sounding the Hurricane warning siren.

Edmonton vs. Chicago: Chicago returns to the ice after its record-tying come-from-behind win against Calgary on Monday. The Blackhawks will be taking on their former goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, as they host the Edmonton Oilers.

Los Angeles vs. New York: The Kings enter Madison Square Garden riding a four-game winning streak, including three-straight one-goal games. Ryan Smyth looks to be rejuvenated in Los Angeles with eight points (four goals, four assists) in his first five games.

Vanek Scores 2, Likely Out 'Weeks' With Upper Body Injury originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Columbus Jumps Out Fast in Central

Susan Slusser — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, FanHouse Exclusive

Sure, it's the early going, but the Central Division is no joke, with the still-tough Red Wings and two teams pegged for big things in St. Louis and Chicago.

More than two weeks in, Columbus has held its own, showing some very good things, like a near impervious penalty-kill unit, and at the other end of the spectrum, a wobbly power play.

"The team's come along quick," Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash said after a recent morning practice session. "We're getting contributions from the young guys, and we have such a young team, we're going to depend on them a lot to produce. So far, they've been great."

"It's nice to get off to a good start, put our best foot forward," goalie Steve Mason said. "We feel good, we have a lot of confidence and we worked hard this offseason to pick up where we left off."

Columbus would like nothing better than to build on last year's first-ever playoff appearance, which energized the area.

"We'd like to get back there," Nash said, "and make some noise."

Are the Blue Jackets still under the radar, though, after their initial playoff run and their fast start?

"You have to win in the playoffs, then everyone takes you a little more seriously. Until then, everyone's got a 'Yeah, but ...' going. We've got to fight that, because we didn't win in the playoffs."
-- Ken Hitchcock on gaining respect across the NHL"I hope so," Nash said. "We like it that way. It's nice to bring an element of surprise to teams. It's perfect. We're used to being the underdog."

Being in a smaller media market, the Blue Jackets don't draw much national attention, and Mason said that being outside the spotlight suits the team. "We can sneak up on people," he said.

Mason, though, won't be able to sneak up on anyone after being named the Calder Trophy winner as the league's top rookie last season. His emergence made the Blue Jackets a force to be reckoned with.

"He's unbelievable, and so calm," Nash said. "Steve's been our best player since he came up last December. And that's what we need -- teams that win championships have goalies who are the backbone of the team."

The Blue Jackets inked defenseman Rusty Klesla to a four-year, $12 million extension at the start of the month, which Nash and Mason applauded.

"It's huge," Mason said. "He's a big part of the team and he'll be here for years to come."

Head coach Ken Hitchcock can see a lot of places his team can improve, saying, "We can play a lot better. ... We need a lot of work."

This time of year, Hitchcock said, defense tends to lag behind offense because when the regular season starts, the level of play picks up and the games speed up.

"We're like a lot of teams, trying to get a lot of fingers out there plugging holes in the defense," Hitchcock said.

Another trip to the postseason this year won't get the Blue Jackets much notice, according to Hitchcock. The team won't increase its profile until it manages to win a playoff series.

"You have to win in the playoffs, then everyone takes you a little more seriously," he said. "Until then, everyone's got a 'Yeah, but...' going. We've got to fight that, because we didn't win in the playoffs.

"To be a legitimate team, we also have to have a lot better record in our division, and our division is the most competitive division I've ever been a part of."

Columbus Jumps Out Fast in Central originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Luongo's Rough Start Continues

Adam Gretz — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Canucks

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Blue Jackets 5, Canucks 3: It's a long season, and when all is said and done I have no doubt that Roberto Luongo will once again be at the top of the pile when it comes to NHL goaltenders. His first three starts of the season, however, have been quite forgettable, and Monday's game against Columbus was certainly the worst. Luongo was lifted after giving up four goals on just 12 shots, including three in a row to start the second period. Through three starts he's stopped just 50 of 61 shots.

After the jump: Video of the day, great minor league fight, Tuesday's key games

With Monday's loss, the Canucks fall to 0-3 on the season, while Columbus, led by Steve Mason's 40 saves, improves to 2-0. Antoine Vermette, Rostislav Klesla, Kristian Huselius, Nikita Filatov, and Fedor Tyutin all scored for the Blue Jackets.

Monday's Other Game

Teenage defenseman leads Rangers' power play [Box Score, Botta's Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Carolina Hurricanes forward Erik Cole is going to miss some significant time due to a fracture in his lower left leg. [TSN]

-- Great minor league hockey fight between Joe Vitale and Kevin Harvey. [YouTube]

-- The Florida Panthers signed free-agent forward Dominic Moore to a one-year contract. [Litter Box Cats]

-- Columbus and Rostislav Klesla came to an agreement on a four-year contract extension over the weekend. [Puck Rakers]

-- During the fourth quarter of Monday night's Green Bay vs. Minnesota football game (otherwise known as Favre Bowl I), ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico referred to Packers kicker Mason Crosby as "Sidney Crosby." That will likely be the only time a hockey player is referenced by name on ESPN until the Stanley Cup Final.

Video Of The Day

Michael Del Zotto scores his second goal in as many games for the New York Rangers.

Tuesday's Key Games

Capitals vs. Flyers: The Washington Capitals are on pace to score, roughly, a billion goals this season (number may not be accurate) and they take their show on the road to Philadelphia for the Flyers' home opener. Ray Emery has looked solid in net for the Flyers through two starts, and this will clearly be his biggest challenge of the young season.

Senators vs. Maple Leafs: After losing in overtime to arch-rival Montreal in the season opener, the Maple Leafs were throttled by the Washington Capitals on Saturday. The Leafs return home on Tuesday for The Battle Of Ontario as they host the Ottawa Senators.

Stars vs. Oilers: Edmonton lost a point on Saturday when Nikolai Khabibulin turned the puck over to David Moss with less than a minute to play in regulation. The Oilers return to action, at home, against Dallas.

Luongo's Rough Start Continues originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Filatov Driven to Be an NHL Star

Christopher Botta — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, FanHouse Exclusive

Nikita Filatov, one of the NHL's most dynamic young players, is not going anywhere. He will not be sent to the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate in Syracuse and he will not bolt Ohio to play back home in the Kontinental Hockey League. He will play on one of Columbus' top three lines this season.

And any day now he's going to obtain a license to drive in the United States.

"I have one in Russia, but last season was so busy and so crazy I never took the time to get my license in the U.S.," the 19-year-old Filatov told FanHouse in a phone conversation over the weekend. "I'm taking care of this before the start of the regular season."

Count on him spending this one in Columbus after a year in Syracuse that could be described as an education in every sense.

"I grew as a person," he said. "I lived on my own for the first time in my life. I was still only 18. I had an apartment near the arena and I learned to cook for myself and clean. The experience was really successful and really hard."

That wasn't the half of it. He left the Syracuse Crunch for three weeks in December to play for Team Russia at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa. He scored a hat trick for Columbus against the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 10 with his confidence boosted post-WJC. Unable to earn a steady shift under coach Ken Hitchcock because of a lack of polish in the defensive zone, Filatov was returned to Syracuse.

Soon after, the left wing came down with a severe bronchial infection, missed six weeks of action and lost 10 pounds off an already thin, 6-0, 170-pound frame. When he finally built back his strength, he played his best hockey of year for the Crunch and was recalled by Columbus for the team's playoff drive. There he mostly watched and learned.

Otherwise, it was an uneventful season.

"Nikita was a teenager in a new country and a new league," said Syracuse head coach Ross Yates. "It's fair to say he experienced just about everything you could expect a young man to handle. I thought Nikita did extremely well. He's going to have to learn how to play for Ken Hitchcock, and that will take time. But he's an electric player. Offensively, there are few players anywhere in the world with his ability."

While waiting for Filatov to learn the technical aspects of playing in the neutral and defensive zones, Hitchcock has lathered on the praise for his future star's artistic ability.

"Nik's the kind of player who doesn't come around very often," said Hitchcock. "If you give him an opportunity, he's going to score every time. How many guys do you know that can score from the top of the circles?

"He's learning the trust part of the game with the other four skaters on the ice. Keep in mind that every place he was before he joined our franchise, he was the only guy with the puck. He'd never played on the smaller surface, never played the North American style. In time, Nikita is going to be a great player for us."

The second-year pro, just four months older than 2009 first overall pick John Tavares, is going to get every opportunity from Hitchcock to be that player this season. Over the last few months, Filatov -- regarded across the board by Columbus and Syracuse personnel as a bright and gracious young man -- has said and done the right things.

He added 12 pounds of muscle after a summer of working out in Moscow with personal strength coach Alexander Troshin and players Ilya Kovalchuk, Sergei Zubov and Nikolai Zherdev. He turned down overtures from the KHL, saying his commitment was to the Blue Jackets. (The first year of his three-year Entry Level contract will kick in this season).

The threat of Filatov joining the KHL if he does not receive quality icetime in Columbus seems to never go away. But pressed by FanHouse, the 2008 sixth overall pick was incredulous.

"I understand the rumors to a certain point," said Filatov, "but I think I've made it very clear my goal is to play in the National Hockey League. This has been my dream for a long time and all I have said since before I was drafted. Look at everything that happened last year. I went through it to eventually be in the NHL."

Asked if he would listen to offers from the KHL if demoted to Syracuse, Filatov said, "I don't see any reason to even talk about it."

If Filatov wasn't a virtual lock when camp opened to start the season in the NHL, he is now. Veteran left wing Frederik Modin is out a month with a sprained knee. In back-to-back games over the weekend, speed wing Jason Chimera and tough forward Tom Sestito suffered serious head injuries.

For his part, Columbus general manager Scott Howson is not concerned about his potential 40-goal scorer leaving for Russia.

"Nikita sees what's happened the last few years with the big Russian stars like Ovechkin and Datsyuk," Howson told FanHouse this afternoon. "He saw Ovechkin practically own the NHL Awards show last season. There's no doubt in my mind that he's driven to be a star in the NHL."

Asked if he has watched how his countryman and video game cover boy Alexander Ovechkin has become arguably the NHL's biggest star, Filatov said, "Yes. It is an amazing story. Alexander is a model for many Russian players, someone to look up to."

Filatov laughed. "Hey, right now I just want to make the Columbus Blue Jackets."

Then he amended his objectives. "I want to make the team," Filatov said, "and I want to be a real part of the team."

Filatov Driven to Be an NHL Star originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Blue Jackets Give New Meaning to 'Fantasy Hockey'

Kevin Schultz — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Fantasy Hockey

It's every fan's dream to own an NHL team, and I'm sure we've all spent some time thinking about what we would do if we actually did own one. Maybe take the Zamboni out for a spin? Challenge the star player to a bit of one-on-one? Or -- if you're really thinking this one through -- you can split up your players and draft fantasy teams during training camp and have a full-on competition. That's exactly what the Columbus Blue Jackets are doing during their first two days of training camp.

According to the Columbus Dispatch the idea was thought up by coach Ken Hitchcock as a way to get management more involved without stepping on any toes and to familiarize the players and owners with each other -- two groups that sometimes are very unfamiliar with each other. The team's four owners got together and drafted four teams which will play each other in a mini-tournament during training camp. They each drafted 16 skaters as the goaltenders will rotate throughout the teams.

There's no word on who got first pick and Rick Nash -- does that just go to the majority owner? -- and the draft order is being kept under lock and key. They certainly don't need a real life version of the South Park episode in which the girls make a list of the cutest boys and all hell breaks loose. Personally, I'm putting my money on whichever team happens to end up with Steve Mason.

Now if only I could get the money to buy a hockey team myself. This sounds like way too much fun to pass up. I guess I had better start buying some lottery tickets!

Blue Jackets Give New Meaning to 'Fantasy Hockey' originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NHL's Top 50: Rick Nash (No. 20)

Adam Gretz — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. No. 20 is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash.

The Columbus Blue Jackets qualified for the NHL playoffs for the first time in franchise history this past season, and leading the way was team captain Rick Nash with a career-high 79 points. His season was highlighted by a pair of hat tricks against the Detroit Red Wings, including one in an 8-2 rout that featured Nash scoring three unassisted goals. It was the first time a player recorded three unassisted goals in a single game since Rocket Richard in 1948.

The NHL's Top 50 Players: See the Entire List

The Numbers: Rick Nash
Rick Nash	Goals	Assists	Points	Pim
Career Totals	194	161	355	436
Average Per 82 Games	36.0	30.3	65.6	81.1

Draft Year: 2002

The No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft, Nash was selected ahead of goaltender Kari Lehtonen and defensemen Jay Bouwmeester, Joni Pitkanen and Ryan Whitney. He's the only player ever selected by the Blue Jackets to score at least 100 goals in the NHL (Nikolai Zherdev, a member of the New York Rangers this past season, is sitting on 99).

Why He's On My List

Nash is turning into one of the elite goal-scorers in the NHL, and he's nearly impossible to knock off the puck once he gets his 220-pound frame rolling. He's already led the league in goals once (2003-04) and has finished in the top-10 in goals-per-game three times, including this past season when he lit the lamp 40 times. His numbers and accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider the Blue Jackets haven't had a true No. 1 center to compliment him on the top line.

Obligatory YouTube Video

One of the best goals of the 2008 season, this is a combination of world-class skill from Nash and terrible defense from Phoenix.

NHL's Top 50: Rick Nash (No. 20) originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Zubov Not Going to Columbus; Starting the Islanders Bandwagon a Year Early

Adam Gretz — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Hurricanes, Islanders, Rangers, NHL Free Agency

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our daily look at the previous night's action. During the offseason, we'll look at some of the storylines and moves taking place around the league three times per week. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

No Zubov For Columbus

On Sunday, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus-Dispatch reported on how Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson is prepared to enter the season with the team's current defensive lineup, and that despite a connection between free agent rearguard Sergei Zubov and current head coach Ken Hitchcock, the team has no interest in the veteran. Actually, he doesn't seem to have interest in anybody at this point. Even with Howson's desire to enter the season as is, the Blue Jackets could certainly use some punch from their defense.

Seidenberg And Babchuk Not Returning To Carolina

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told the News & Observer's Cane's Now blog that the recent trade for Aaron Ward (yeah, that Aaron Ward) means Dennis Seidenberg and Anton Babchuk will not be returning to the team for the 2009-10 season. Seidenberg, still an unrestricted free agent despite his career-year, would be a solid fit for a team that lacks a puck-moving defenseman that can also block some shots (Hello, Columbus).

As for Babchuk, Rutherford had this to say, again from the News & Observer: "We've moved on from him. He's either going to get traded or I guess his other option is to play in Russia." He scored 16 goals for the Hurricanes in '08-09 and has an absolute cannon for a shot.

Bandwagons Aren't Just For Good Teams Anymore

Robby Krevat, a self-proclaimed life-long Rangers fan, admitted on Bleacher Report this past Sunday that he is now rooting for the New York Islanders because, in his words: "I can relate to them, because of what I think they are going to do for a sport that I love, around the corner from my house. I would love to see the Cup in my neighborhood and I believe the Islanders at this moment give New York it's best shot."

New York's best shot? Look, we're all excited about John Tavares, but let's not go crazy here. Then again, he's not the only one giving up on the blue shirts. Ryan Dixon of The Hockey News recently suggested that the Rangers could be "awful" this season, and that the Islanders just might be the most interesting team to watch in the New York market (Devils included!).

It's important to remind everyone in these crazy offseason times that the Rangers and Devils were both in the playoffs this past season, each playing in a Game 7, while the Islanders are likely headed for the draft lottery yet again.

Loose Pucks

-- The Hockey Writers have some impressions from the Calgary Flames prospect development camp.

-- Goon's World breaks down the Boston Bruins' current salary cap situation following the signing of free agent defenseman Derek Morris.

-- This can't be the start the St. Louis Blues were looking for, especially after all of the injuries the team played through this past season. Defenseman Eric Brewer may not be ready for the season opener according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Zubov Not Going to Columbus; Starting the Islanders Bandwagon a Year Early originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

FanHouse Chats With Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Steve Mason

Adam Gretz — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, FanHouse Exclusive

Steve Mason was a key part of the Columbus Blue Jackets' first trip to the playoffs this year, as the 20-year-old Oakville, Ontario native took home the Calder Trophy (pictured) as the NHL's rookie of the year. He was also nominated as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, thanks in large part to his league-leading 10 shutouts.

We had a chance to catch up with him this week and discuss his rookie season, being a "system goalie," and which players in the NHL he doesn't want to face on a breakaway (along with the ones he wouldn't mind facing).

Our Susan Slusser recently spoke to your general manager, Scott Howson, and he pretty much said that nobody in the organization expected you to be this good, this fast. What were your expectations coming into the season? Were you expecting to be the No. 1 goalie at some point, or were you just hoping to get a taste of the NHL?

Yeah, obviously when I first went into training camp I was rehabbing a knee injury, but my goal was to make the team. Obviously getting hurt in camp kind of diminished those hopes, but at that point I went down to Syracuse, played well there and had an opportunity to come back up.

I told myself if I ever got that opportunity to get back up I wanted to make the most of it and be a starter in the NHL.

Were you expecting to win the Calder Trophy and be nominated for the Vezina in your rookie season?

Well, you always set goals for yourself. Obviously for myself it wasn't to win the Calder or win the Vezina, or even be nominated, I just wanted to come in and do a good job, play consistently and give the team a chance to win. I think without the group of guys on our team I wouldn't have been close to having the success I had, especially earlier in the season, which allowed me to win the Calder.

Early last season, after a game against the Detroit Red Wings, Chris Osgood said that your style reminded him a lot of Tom Barrasso. Are there any goalies, past or present, that you've tried to model yourself after?

I don't think I've really tried to model my complete style after anybody, but growing up I always liked watching (Martin) Brodeur, and watching the way he handled the puck and acting as a third defenseman back there. When I was younger that was always something I tried to incorporate into my game and hopefully that can continue to benefit my game moving forward as I work on it.

If there was one piece of, let's call it skepticism, I saw this year regarding your play, it's that sometimes people would point to Ken Hitchcock's defensive system and how beneficial it can be for goalies. Every once in a while I would see somebody point to the numbers Pascal Leclaire put up a season ago as an example. How do you react to the belief -- and I should emphasize that it's not a particularly large belief -- that it's "the system" that created your success this season?

Well there's always people that are going to have their opinion, and they're entitled to it, but, really, it's no lie. Obviously any goalie is going to benefit from playing in a defensive system. It Doesn't mean they couldn't have success in another type of system, but it definitely helps out. I mean, I played on some junior teams that were a lot of offense, but I still handled myself quite well.

I'm not complaining about the situation I've been put in with Columbus, it's very goaltender friendly, and if people want to comment and say the success is because of the system, well, they're probably right because any goalie would benefit from playing in a defensive system.

Do you ever pay attention to hockey blogs or message boards and get an idea of what people are talking about, or do you just try to avoid all of that?

I try to stay away from it, and I think any athlete would be better off doing that. People are allowed to have their opinions, good or bad, but I think it's just best to stay away from it and focus on the task at hand, and for myself that's just getting better every year. Moving forward you can't really worry about what people are thinking or saying about you.

You had a pretty eventful season off the ice, and one of the big things was you going through mono. How much of a challenge was that for you to get back into the swing of things and the challenge of playing in the NHL?

It was extremely difficult. I was probably playing with it for a couple of weeks before I found out about it, and those weeks were tough because I didn't know what was wrong with me. I was just extremely tired, and there were times I just wanted to pass out on the ice, but I didn't know what was wrong until I finally got tested for it. It was almost kind of a calming feeling when I found out that it was mono and that it wasn't something else that was going wrong.

It was extremely difficult finding the energy to play the games. You know, we're playing every other night and it takes a toll on you, especially when you have a sickness like mono, it just makes it even harder. I think once the organization found out that's what I was dealing with they were really good about giving me some time off.

The other big one was the incident with the Calgary Flames fan, when he placed some threatening calls to the arena during a game. Is that something you think about when you're on the road or mingling with fans?

Not really. The organization handled it really well and they made sure I felt comfortable. I didn't even find out until after the game that something had gone on like that. When I was the star of the game and I wasn't allowed to go out and salute the fans, that was kind of the first indication that something was wrong. Honestly, it's not something I really think about anymore. Obviously there are people out there that want to have their five minutes of fame or whatever, but it's not something I worry about anymore. It's not something you want to deal with, obviously, but it's one of those things that just kind of happens.

One of the big moves the team made this offseason was signing Rick Nash to a long-term contract extension. How important is it for you guys to have him in Columbus as a building block going forward?

It's huge. Obviously he's the heart and soul of the hockey team. Without him it's entirely different and I think it's good for the organization and will help to attract players. When they see Rick Nash is locked up long-term and that the organization is committed to winning, it might help lure players that might not have considered Columbus. Considering he's shown that type of commitment to the team it's also great for the younger guys looking to win because, again, without him it's an entirely different team.

Columbus is still a relatively new hockey market. What is your opinion of the fan base there? Is it a city you think has a chance to continue to grow as a market and be successful long-term?

Oh, absolutely. It was my first year playing for Columbus, but it was a great experience. The fans are top-notch, they really like their hockey and they were really supportive down the stretch and obviously in the playoffs. It's a lot of fun to play here and I think I speak for all the players when I say that after a road trip they look forward to coming home and playing in front of the home fans. They're some of the loudest in the league and they definitely support their team very well.

Favorite hockey movie?

I'd probably have to go with Slap Shot. The original.

Not a fan of the sequel?

No, not at all. Absolutely not.

Were you ever a big fan of the hockey video games, like, for example, the old EA Sports NHL series on Sega?

Oh, yeah, I was more of a fan when I was younger, not so much anymore. I mean I used to play all the time, but now I try to stay away from it.

Who is the one player in the NHL you don't want to see coming at you on a breakaway?

Oh, man ... probably (Sidney) Crosby or (Evgeni) Malkin.

No Alex Ovechkin or Pavel Datsyuk?

Well ... I don't know, that's a good point. Let's go with Crosby or Ovechkin.

OK, who is the one player in the NHL you wouldn't mind facing on a breakaway? And don't be afraid to be honest.

(laughs) Um, if I can say guys on my own team I'd probably go with a Jared Boll or Derek Dorsett.

As a goalie, do you like the idea of a shootout deciding tie games in the regular season?

It's exciting, I think it's good for the fans and obviously with the goalie it's a lot of pressure on you, but if you come out on top it's a great feeling.

FanHouse Chats With Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Steve Mason originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Columbus Gears Up for Bigger Expectations

Susan Slusser — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, FanHouse Exclusive

Making the playoffs for the first time was a big step for the Columbus Blue Jackets, a kick in the pants for the fans and the franchise.

Now, however, Columbus will have to repeat the feat -- and make it past the first round -- to meet the increased expectations that that first blush of success has created. And it's Scott Howson's job this summer to put the Blue Jackets in a position to be a postseason regular.

Howson's first order of business was to get Rick Nash signed long-term, and without too much salary-cap damage. Accomplished: the team's captain signed an eight-year deal worth $62.4 million.

"That was priority No. 1 for us going into the summer," Howson told FanHouse. "We believed Rick wanted to get something done quickly and that's how it worked out, in four or five days. That was a real positive for us."

It meant that Howson could turn his attention to the Blue Jackets' biggest need: Finding an offensive-minded defenseman. That has proved to be trickier than wrapping up Nash, however. Howson acknowledged that at this point, finding a blue-liner who can jump into the attack with regularity might be a "long-term goal."

One deal that won't happen: Dany Heatley. Columbus was rumored to be a potential landing spot for the forward, who has requested a trade, but it doesn't appear as if the Blue Jackets ever had any interest. Columbus has been mentioned as a possible trade destination for San Jose's Christian Erhoff, but so far, the Sharks haven't bit at the offer of forward Jason Chimera, and Howson said in an interview with FanHouse, "We might not be able to acquire (a defenseman) in a deal."

If nothing happens soon, look for the Blue Jackets to address the issue before the trade deadline, especially if they don't improve on the power play in the first months of the season; Columbus was at the bottom of the NHL in that category last season. Down the line, Columbus hopes that recent top pick John Moore, the 21st selection overall, will develop into an elite two-way defenseman. Howson said that the team's scouts were very high on Moore.

"He's a tremendous skater with offensive instincts," Howson said. "His first instinct is to join the play and get into the offensive zone."

Moore is considered at least a year or two away from playing in the NHL. Of course, the Blue Jackets thought that Steve Mason would take much longer to develop than he did, and the goalie wound up winning the Calder Trophy.

"We didn't think he'd be an elite guy right away," Howson said. "We thought he'd spend a year in the minors, but what he did was to give us the chance to win almost every evening. He was responsible, really, for getting us into the playoffs. Now it gets harder for him. Now expectations go up."

The same is true for the team as a whole after the exhilaration of that first playoff appearance. Howson said it was good for the Blue Jackets to face Detroit, a team that he described as matching their skill level with their commitment. That's a good model for a young team that aspires to be a postseason regular.

"It's exciting," Howson said. "And it's our job (in the front office) to put it together, to make this team a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup."

Columbus Gears Up for Bigger Expectations originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Rick Nash Gets Contract Extension

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Western

Once he was drafted, Rick Nash quickly became the centerpiece of the Columbus Blue Jackets. It didn't take him long to prove himself worthy of such a label.

Now the Blue Jackets' captain, Nash has blossomed into one of the best players in the NHL. Coming off the team's first-ever appearance (albeit a short one) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nash was about to enter his final season before unrestricted free agency. Instead, he's become the highest-paid player in franchise history.

Reports out of Columbus have Nash agreeing to an eight-year extension with the team. The deal is worth $62.4 million, or an cap hit of $7.8 million per season.

Nash led the team with 40 goals during the regular season, and he is now six short of 200 for his NHL career. Naming him captain wasn't just a symbolic move by Columbus. Nash has become the leader of the team, both on and off the ice. If the Blue Jackets continue to improve, he will be a legitimate candidate for the Hart Trophy.

Not only is this good news for Nash, but it's great news for Columbus. The Blue Jackets finally have energized their fanbase in Ohio. Despite some struggles selling out games during their first run to the playoffs, fans were clearly into this team and the fact they were able to make the postseason.

Nash is their best and most popular player. Ensuring his presence with the team for the forseeable future will only help the Blue Jackets, as they try to parlay their playoff appearance into increased relevance in this growing hockey city.

Rick Nash Gets Contract Extension originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Offseason Roadmap: Central Division

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Blues, Predators, Red Wings, Western

It's officially the offseason, meaning the time is right to look into the future. We continue our division-by-division preview of the potential wheeling and dealing with the Central Division.

The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to build off a magical season. Columbus got its first taste of playoff hockey, while St. Louis returned to the playoffs after a far-too-long absence. Meanwhile, Nashville is trying to rebound after just missing the cut for the Western Conference playoffs.

Chicago Blackhawks: After a great season that saw this young group take a huge step forward, it's time for Chicago management to figure out how to get this team to take that final leap. The Blackhawks earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, then won six-game series against Calgary and Vancouver to advance to the Western Conference Finals. It was there that Detroit dispatched of Chicago in five games.

The Blackhawks have strength all over the ice, thanks to young stars like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. While the Blackhawks have plenty of cap room (14 players signed for just over $36 million), they have some important decisions to make, most notably unrestricted free agent Martin Havlat and goalie Cristobal Huet. While Huet is signed for over $5.5 million a year through 2012, he was a disaster in his first playoff start against Detroit, and the main starter during the playoffs, Nikolai Khabibulin, is a free agent.

If Chicago wasn't already forking over $7 million a year to Brian Campbell, I'd suggest they get seriously involved in the Jay Bouwmeester sweepstakes. Instead, they need to look for cheaper ways to fill a couple defensive holes while continuing to build impressive forward depth.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Finally, Columbus got a taste of playoff hockey. The Jackets were in the race for much of the winter, and they got in as the seventh seed in the Western Conference. In the end, it was just a taste of playoff hockey, as Detroit dispatched of them in a four-game sweep.

Columbus has successfully built a young team around star forward Rick Nash for the first time. Nash has thrived as team captain, continuing to put up great numbers despite being the only truly great offensive threat on the team. He gets support from the likes of Kristian Huselius, R.J. Umberger, Fredrik Modin, and Jakub Voracek, but no one besides Nash is a true star. Of course, young goalie Steve Mason has become the defensive backbone of the Blue Jackets, and he will continue to get help from the likes of Mike Commodore, Rostislav Klesla, and Fedor Tyutin next season.

With 18 players signed for just under $41 million next season, there is some flexibility for the Blue Jackets. They're in a position to be aggressive on the free-agent market, and perhaps try to reel in a goal-scorer like Marian Gaborik, or get involved in a potential trade for Dany Heatley. While it's unlikely that Columbus will want to hand over $8 million or so per year for Gaborik or make an expensive trade for a big-money guy like Heatley, the Blue Jackets would be smart to think outside the box, as Nash is entering his contract year.

Detroit Red Wings: In case you missed it, here is Susan Slusser's piece outlining the upcoming offseason for Detroit.

Nashville Predators: Down the stretch in April, the Predators weren't quite good enough. A 2-4 finish to the regular season doomed Nashville, and a promising season went up in smoke.

However, there is plenty of reason for hope in the Music City. Pekka Rinne emerged as a top goaltender, and he should benefit greatly from the fact that the team's core is already signed for next season. The most prominent defenseman set to be a free agent is 36-year-old Greg de Vries, who had a very so-so season and probably shouldn't be expected back.

The Predators have just under $34 million locked up with 14 players for 2009-10, so they should be able to bring back veteran forwards Radek Bonk, Vernon Fiddler, and Steve Sullivan at reasonable prices. Under-30 forwards David Legwand and Martin Erat are locked up long-term, and captain Jason Arnott, 34, has two years left on his contract.

It might be a dream scenario, but Nashville would be smart to pursue free-agent forward Mike Cammalleri. He's only 27, is capable of putting up big numbers, and wouldn't be expected to be the main star in Nashville. His signing would give the Predators three front-line centers. Nashville also needs to get a bit stronger defensively, and it may be worth it for them to take a run at a second-tier guy like Jordan Leopold.

St. Louis Blues: It may have been a year sooner than people thought, but a wonderful stretch run by the Blues put them in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Blues, it wasn't a long stay, as Vancouver swept them out of the postseason.

There were plenty of positives in the Blues' surge. Forwards T.J. Oshie and David Backes may have emerged as real stars for this team. The defense held up nicely, even though captain Eric Brewer and youngster Erik Johnson combined to play just 28 games all season (Brewer played in 28, while Johnson missed the entire season with a knee injury). Any kind of contribution from those two will significantly improve St. Louis' play on the blue line (not to mention Johnson's presence only helps an already-lethal power play).

It's not likely that the Blues will do much in free agency, given that they already have over $47 million locked up in 20 players. There are a lot of backup-quality goalies the Blues could sign to spell Chris Mason, assuming they don't want Ben Bishop on the big club so he can play 20 games.

The future is quickly becoming "Now" in St. Louis, as smart drafting and solid player development are paying off.

Offseason Roadmap: Central Division originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Blue Jackets Force Out Broadcaster

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Western

On its surface, the decision of the Columbus Blue Jackets to drop television host and reporter Jim Day is not a terribly newsworthy one. Around the league, such changes will be made with little to no fanfare.

When you examine some of the details of this story, however, you see another sign of problems that have existed in the local television business for many years. As it seems, the decision to remove Day, who had been with the team since its inception, had nothing to do with his talent or his salary.

On his Puck-rakers blog, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports that there were issues between the Blue Jackets and Day. Seems that the team didn't like everything Day was saying on the air about them.

Sources have told The Dispatch that the Blue Jackets tended to complain weekly -- sometimes more often -- about Day, including a memorable "morning after" teleconference this season when Day dared to use the word "disappointing" to describe a 3-1 deficit in St. Louis on March 28.

That's right. The offensive word was "disappointing."

Also, Blue Jackets management remains angry, according to sources, that Day did not conform to the club's request to NOT mention late majority owner John H. McConnell on the night the Blue Jackets clinched a playoff spot, April 8 in Chicago. He also didn't follow along by acknowledging that it took the club eight seasons to make the playoffs.

I understand that teams don't want their own voices on the air badmouthing them, and that's fine. However, as someone who has worked in the broadcast business for a number of years, I have a huge problem with this type of behavior by the Blue Jackets.

The club has every right to exercise some say in who works their broadcasts. You don't want broadcasters who consistently rip the organization, fans, facilities, or who are constantly complaining about the quality of play on the ice or the quality of media access. I get that, and so should everyone else. Many of these guys travel with the team when they go on road trips, so if they're violating team rules on trips (i.e. the dress code), there should be repercussions.

It doesn't sound like any of this was a significant part of the problem. Instead, the Blue Jackets are so picky about what is said about them on the air that they forced out a guy who had been with them since the start, and whose worst crime was saying a loss to a fellow playoff contender was "disappointing". Preventing broadcasters from being able to call it the way they see it should be no part of any organization's standards. Unfortunately, it's been a trend for as long as local broadcasters have seen their role in sports grow.

The night Columbus made the playoffs, beating Chicago in a shootout, the Blackhawks' voices showed more enthusiasm for this first-time entrant than their own on-air people did. For those who followed Columbus through seven years of general futility, this is disgraceful. Day said nothing criticial of the organization or the team. Instead, he called it like he saw it, and he paid for his honesty and integrity with his job.

Blue Jackets Force Out Broadcaster originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 21 May 2009 12:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Vezina Nominees Announced, Steve Mason Makes Cut

Adam Gretz — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:50:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Bruins, Wild, NHL Awards, NHL Videos

Aside from helping lead his team to the postseason for the first time in franchise history, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason has an opportunity to take home some serious hardware at the NHL's award ceremony in June. After being named as one of the finalists for the Calder Trophy as the top rookie, the 20-year-old Mason is also a nominee for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender. Joining Mason as finalists are Boston's Tim Thomas and Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom.

According to John McGourty of NHL.com, the only players to win both the Calder and Vezina in the same season are Tom Barrasso, Ed Belfour, Tony Esposito and Frankie Brimsek.

Mason led the NHL with 10 shutouts, while also posting the second-best goals against average in the NHL at 2.29 before struggling in the postseason against the juggernaut that is the Detroit Red Wings. He overcame quite a bit this season, including knee surgery, a bout with mononucleosis, and a troubled, maniacal fan that threatened him during a game against the Calgary Flames in late March (he registered one of his 10 shutouts that night).

Backstrom has been a model of consistency since taking over as Minnesota's starting netminder in 2006, posting his third-straight campaign with a save percentage north of .920. He recorded eight shutouts and finished the season with 37 wins, fifth-most in the NHL and tops among the Vezina finalists.

Thomas led the league (by a wide margin) with a 2.10 goals against average, and made highlights for his wildly aggressive play that resulted in him playing a more physical style than many forwards and defensemen across the NHL. A former ninth-round pick in 1994 by the Quebec Nordiques, the 35-year-old has improved each of the past three seasons for the Bruins, and was rewarded with a contract extension that will pay him $20 million over the next four seasons.

As for some of the bigger names that didn't make the cut:

-- Devils goalie Martin Brodeur has won the award four of the past five years, and likely would have been a finalist once again had he not missed a large chunk of the season due to a torn bicep.

-- Injury might have also played a role in Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo not being nominated as he finished in the top five in goals against average (2.34) and save percentage (.920). He started 54 games for the Canucks, the fewest he's played since the 2001-02 campaign when he was a member of the Florida Panthers.

-- Miikka Kiprusoff, the only goalie not named Brodeur to win in the past five years, led the NHL with 45 wins, but his other numbers (goals against average and save percentage) were sub-par compared to the other top goalies across the league.

As for this year's winner: Thomas seems like a strong bet, seeing as how he was the No. 1 goalie on the team that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL, while he also led the league with a .933 save percentage.

On Tuesday, the NHL will announce the nominees for the Selke Trophy, which goes to the league's best defensive forward.

Vezina Nominees Announced, Steve Mason Makes Cut originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Blue Jackets Not Happy With Late Call

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Western

Johan Franzen's power-play goal ended Columbus' season Thursday night, and the Blue Jackets aren't taking it very well.

The penalty that gave the Red Wings a late power play happened with 94 seconds left in regulation. Fredrik Modin didn't wait long enough to play a puck as he came off the bench, catching his team with six players on the ice thanks to a slow change. After a rough-and-tumble first 18:30 of the third period, the call didn't sit well with Columbus.

You hear a lot of questions regarding the timing of calls by officials. In this case, the Blue Jackets only have a semantic case. After all, it was clear they had six players on the ice while they were touching the puck. Jakob Voracek was simply too slow to get to the bench after getting caught in a long shift. The tendency for players at the end of long shifts to slowly leave the ice is a big part of why coaches bang on the white board and beg their guys to keep the shifts short, especially late in close playoff games. Voracek was guilty. He spent too much time on the ice, couldn't get off of it quickly enough, and Modin didn't time his touch of the puck to correspond with Voracek at least hopping over the boards.

Michael Arace covered the game for the Columbus Dispatch and found out what some of the players, along with coach Ken Hitchcock, thought about the decision to call the penalty.

"To lose an elimination game, when there were no holds barred, on a call by a linesman . . . It's just not right," defenseman Mike Commodore said.

... Michael Peca, among others, voiced this sentiment: "Don't put the game on the line for THAT. Especially when the guys in charge of calling the game (the referees) have put away their whistles."

... "By the rule book it's probably the right call," Hitchcock said. "By the circumstances of the game, I didn't like it at all."

Honestly, they have a point.

Listen, I'll bang the "A penalty's a penalty" drum until it breaks. I truly have believed in this philosophy for many years, and will continue to in the future.

The fact of the matter is that the NHL doesn't believe in it. They never have, and they probably never will.

Steven Walkom talks a good game, but the actions of his officials over the years makes it clear that they only call penalties when they feel like it. A hook in the first period is not a hook in the third period. It suddenly morphs into a clean defensive play. Numerous penalties could have been called in the third period of Thursday's game. Much of it was stuff that had already been called. When it happens again after it's been called once or twice, it shouldn't be ignored.

Especially when you're going to nail a team for too many men when it's not a willful and blatant violation of the rules. As I mentioned after the game, it's a rule that has been enforced with maddening inconsistency during these playoffs, and it's not that hard to call.

In the end, the better team won, we all gained a little respect for the scrappy bunch from Ohio, and we learned that not much has changed from last year to this year in terms of the officiating. They'll continue to be a topic throughout these playoffs.

Blue Jackets Not Happy With Late Call originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments