Hey Blue Jackets: Slow and Steady Isn't Winning

by Andy Newman on Dec 4, 2011 10:01 AM EST

Scott Howson made some big moves this past Summer. Trading for Jeff Carter and the rights to James Wisniewski were no small feats. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a fan of the vast majority of the roster moves he's made. I feel as if a lot of the issues are coaching and maybe chemistry among certain key players.

One thought I can't get out of my head is why the team has historically been so slow to act when it starts to become clear that a player just isn't going to fit in Columbus. Granted, it's easier said than done, but the team seems to give players much longer leashes than any other team in the league. I have to wonder if that is what leads to a "country club atmosphere" and it most certainly kills players' trade value before they eventually end up being dealt or let go through free agency.

The current hot topic is Derick Brassard. I know Howson meets with Scott Arniel on a regular basis, so if they're so down on his play, why not package him to make a trade for a defenseman (or a decent draft pick)? Instead, they give him almost no playing time, and when they do, he's paired with Cody freakin' Bass. If he's not doing the right things in practice or in games now, why do they think he's suddenly going to start performing in these circumstances?

But it's not just Brassard. It's Kris Russell. It's Nikita Filatov. Rusty Klesla. Nik Zherdev. Gilbert Brule.

After Brassard, I assume the attention will turn back to Steve Mason.

The team refuses to cut the cord. Only in the case of Zherdev did the team get anything of value back.

Does Scott Howson or Scott Arniel really believe Brassard is going to put things together? Steve Mason?

If the answer is yes: I'd have to strongly disagree. Brassard hasn't been the same since his shoulder injury. Mason hasn't been the same since his rookie year.

If the answer is no: What are you waiting for? If you say a 4th round pick in 2014, you're probably right.

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I agree, but...

…at least you have to give them full marks for consistency. It’s not just the players that are kept around for far too long when it’s clear that they have nothing positive to offer the team. It’s also people in the front office, and the GM, and the coaching staff…

by Toxichighway on Dec 4, 2011 10:50 AM EST reply actions

We all have out pet gripes and wishes on players, ice time etc. . BUT, let’s look at what SH has brought in SINCE the season started…….TWO ‘“STARTERS” and he has not given up a lot. I’m guessing we would all like to see another tweek, and I’m betting most do not really care what. Just anything to jump start us.
It is for sure the first line has been letting us down [high " -" numbers and lower score numbers. But the 2nd line has not scored much since Vinny moved to the first line. 1 SH is at a GM conference. 2 He does not have much other teams want as the CBJ are in 30 place and would like to give up something that would not hurt us but would help us. In other words what would you like to pick up from the team at the bottom from that barrel’s bottom of the barrel.
Given Springfield’s swoon, maybe there isn’t so much help there as we had hoped. We have 2 questionable minor leaguers on the squad, which could be swapped out, but could we bring up an improvement?
I’m not a fan of changing coaches, but that may be the only jump start available

by garybj18 on Dec 4, 2011 1:02 PM EST reply actions

I’m still hoping brassard gets traded to Detroit for hudler. Hudler is a solid 3rd line player who has an expiring contract and I feel detroit development could turn brassard around. Maybe not to the potential number 1 center everyone hoped for but a solid role player or even top 6 forward

by FFmorgan89 on Dec 4, 2011 4:41 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I really liked this article, mostly because it got me thinking – I agree that Howson has been very slow to move players, but I think it’s his own fault. He, after all, is responsible for almost all the contracts on this team. I’ve expanded on that idea in this fanpost.

CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things

by zekebud on Dec 4, 2011 5:04 PM EST reply actions

Nice post.

Editor for The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter - @andynewman

by Andy Newman on Dec 5, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

I Disagree

The only thing wrong with Brass is that Arniel refuses to play him, except out of position and on a line not suited to his skills. Get rid of Arniel (Which should happen, anyway. He is NOT an NHL level coach.) and Brass will actually have a chance to straighten himself out.

by Westside Paul on Dec 4, 2011 7:34 PM EST reply actions

That’s a totally fine argument. Either Brassard or Arniel needs to go.

Brassard sitting on the bench simply kills his trade value and his confidence.

Editor for The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter - @andynewman

by Andy Newman on Dec 5, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't cement Filatov on the "got nothing" side just yet...

Granted, we’ll have to wait a few years, but Howson used that pick on Tynan who is lighting it up at Notre Dame this year (25 pts in 18 games). He’s basically a year or two behind Cam Atkinson in terms of development (maybe not the pure goal-scorer that Cam is…), so I’m not ready to entirely write that trade off just yet, considering #FillyDon’tDoAnything.

Writer for The Cannon - A Columbus Blue Jackets blog
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"I will say anything to be funny, often in the most horrible situations, which is one reason [a] good [woman] so far [has] been very sorry on occasion to have married me." --Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

by Dan P. on Dec 5, 2011 8:41 AM EST reply actions

Fair point, but really what I was saying was… what could that pick have been if we traded Filatov six months sooner?

Editor for The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter - @andynewman

by Andy Newman on Dec 5, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

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