What needs to change for the Blue Jackets?

I’d disagree that Bass was actually helpful, and you’ll see why in a bit when we talk about the scoring chances.

While it’s tempting to fire Arniel, I think he deserves some consideration for lacking a major part of his offseason plan right now – Jeff Carter needs to get healthy.

That said, I think for someone who claimed he was going to let the youth run, he’s been way too conservative with how he uses the kids, and that IS something which needs to change.

It’s not like they had the entire team for this stretch. The BlueJackets were bad last year. With Carter hurt, they’re basically the same team. Prospal=Huselius, Wiz is slightly better than Hejda, Vorachek has not been replaced, and Mason is Mason. I’m not sure why you expect different results from last year with essentially the same team, and maybe a bit worse without Carter. A lot this season was riding on him.

The Jackets have been hit with a boatload of bad luck this season (Huselius, Wiz suspension, Carter injury). When your margin of error is small, it doesn’t take much to sink the ship.

I’ve never much been a fan of the “fire everybody!!” moves in mid-season, personally. Also, my stance (and I’m not directing this at anyone in particular) is that you just flat-out can’t advocate “FIRE THE COACH!!” without a legitimate plan for succession. In other words, if you’ve got Scotty Bowman on the other line, by all means: drop the hammer. If you’re screaming for heads to roll just to scream about it, then it’s not productive.

As always, just my $.02.

it seems like the organization’s biggest problem has been not sticking it out with the coaches long enough to earn the respect of the players. I really think that it’ll be a different story once the team is healthy/healthier and we have Boll back to win some of those fights that have been making us look bad this season.

I do believe that the problem lies at least in part in the coaching. With the exception of the loss of Jan Hejda, we are a better team on paper, so the players cannot be entirely to blame.

I’m regretting not being able to lure Guy Boucher. I think his biggest strength lies in his psychology degree. He can get to the players in a way most coaches cannot, but no use looking back now. Arniel was the best option at the time. I would love to see what Kirk Muller might add to the Blue Jackets!

Also, I’m a little confused with Howson’s decision to let go of Sami Lepisto and Scottie Upshall. Right now, we could have really used Lepisto for depth (and he had a great pass). Upshall was also great for depth, and we had the cap space. Argh, moving forward, again no use looking back.

People seem to forget we are missing Juice as well. Whether you like him or not, he puts points up and is dangerous. He would help to have in the lineup, especially on the PP