Shrapnel - 4/13 Edition

In this edition of Shrapnel: Springfield's staff, Shelley, our draft history, Mayorov, lots and lots of playoff coverage, Theo Ruth, Matt Cooke gets a lesson in karma, and more!

Puck-rakers:

Syracuse Springfield will have a new coaching staff heading into next season. First priority will be finding the Jackets next head coach before hiring minor league coaches.

A really good piece on Jody Shelley. Looks like he landed in a good place. Congrats, Jody. If you stay in NY, I hope it works out well!

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BlueJackets XTRA:

Could this be the year the Jackets finally land another elite player in the draft? We'll find out tonight, remember Columbus has a 10.7% chance to get the top pick. The CBJ will either draft 1st, 4th or 5th. Tune in tonight at 8 to see the result!

In case you were wondering, here's a look at the Blue Jackets draft history. The last few years look promising, but you can't help but wonder what the hell was going on in the early days.

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BlueJackets.com:

Maksim Mayorov has been chosen as the AHL player of the week. Mak scored 6-3-9 in just 3 games last week. Not too shabby for a guy who has yet to make his mark anywhere. Please don't let this be false hope. Bring it on, Mayorov.

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Yahoo! Sports:

Tampa Bay is starting from scratch (again). The firing of head coach Rick Tocchet and GM Brian Lawton comes as no surprise. You know something is wrong when an Atlanta team sans Ilya Kovalchuk is doing better than you.

Playoff Primer:

Yahoo! Sports NHL columnist Ross McKeon gives his previews and picks for the Stanley Cup playoffs: Eastern Conference, Western Conference. He also looks at the players to watch from each team: East, West. Who will step up their game and lead their team to lift the Cup?

Ryan over at Puck Daddy is following up his "20 predictions of the year" with the playoff version.

1. Wrong, 2. Probably, 3. Wrong, 4. Wrong, 5. Right, 6. Wrong, 7. Right, 8. Right, 9. Wrong, 10. Wrong. You guys make the call. 

10 storylines to watch. It should be interesting to see how these stories develop. What stories will you keep an eye on? I think the "Wheel of Justice" should be a good one. Wonder if Pittsburgh will make it to the Finals this year.......

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HockeyFights.com:

Columbus may finally get their first look at Theo Ruth. If the name doesn't sound familiar, its because he's been hiding away at Notre Dame playing in the CCHA since we acquired him (see: Sergei Fedorov, 2008). Its a 3-year deal.

Karma and Irony.

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Quote of the day: 

"If we get the No. 1 pick, it would be a great opportunity for our franchise"

- GM Scott Howson on the draft lottery. A number one pick would be nice, afterall, it worked out great last time.