It's been more than awhile since we last convened the Blue Jackets Roundtable (Podcast edition!), and for that we offer our apologies. Given how badly the season has gone, hopefully you can understand our lack of desire to talk about "Dude, how crappy are the Jackets right now?" for a half hour.

All of that said, with the announcement of the All Star Game coming to Columbus in 2013, as well as a chance to catch our breath during the current All Star Break, Mike, Matt and I decided it would be a good time to take stock of where the team is, and where it's heading between now and the trading deadline, and then beyond.

So, here you have it: Episode IV, at long last. Click the streaming player below to listen:

DISCLAIMER: We're still working out kinks with our "new" (ish) method of podcasting. I discovered--albeit too late--the settings issue that seems to continually make me talk OVER my compadres, even though when we recorded the podcast we were having a normal, flowing conversation. So for that, my apologies. I'm really not that much of a jerk that I would cut off the guys at the end of each of their answers, so again I apologize for the curtness of the podcast as it sounds. Won't happen again; I figured out what the issue is/was.

If you're having trouble with the streaming player above, you can click here to download the MP3 version
(warning: it's a big file, ~20 MB). Enjoy, and stay tuned for more regular podcasting updates as the trading deadline nears!

It's been awhile since we last convened the Blue Jackets Roundtable (Podcast edition!), and with the coming of the regular season opener this Friday it was time. I am joined by Jeff Little from Ten Minute Misconduct. Jeff and I cover all manner of topics, from the roster to the Arena to expectations for the season. And, if you haven't read Jeff's stuff about the Arena, I'm not exaggerating when I say it is all MUST READ. Click the streaming player below to listen:

We tried a new tactic for recording this podcast, which enables us to provide a streaming MP3 with some better audio. If you're having trouble with the streaming player above, you can click here to download the full MP3 (warning: it's a big file). Also, since this was our first attempt using Skype, please forgive any audio clicks and such. Also, toward the end, it sounds like I'm talking over Jeff; this was not the case. My Skype recorder and/or our connection seemed to lag, so where it sounds like I'm interrupting Jeff at the end we were actually having a nice conversation! 

We're back for a second helping. Flanked again by Mike MacLean and Matt Wagner, the Blue Jackets Roundtable has been convened once again.

In this episode, we managed to tackle free agency, specifically the additions of James Wisniewski and Radek Martinek on the blue line, as well as Mark Dekanich between the pipes. We talked public perception, and the work Scott Howson has done to change it. We talked about forwards. We talked Ryan Johansen. And, because it wouldn't be an off-season discussion without the cliche, we handed out some off-season grades and set some expectations for the coming season.

Enjoy!

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A year ago, I talked with Mike and Matt about wanting to get a podcast off the ground. Here we are at the fruition of that idea. This morning, the three of us convened to record the inaugural edition of the Blue Jackets Roundtable Podcast. Here's to many more through the summer and into the season!

We planned to talk about the draft, and then Scott Howson went and threw a wrench into those plans. But, you can listen using the player below (sorry about the lead-in advertisement) to listen to Mike, Matt, and myself discussing the Jeff Carter trade, the impending start of NHL free agency, the coaching hires of Ian Clark and Todd Richards, and yesterday's release of the team's schedule.

Enjoy! I'll try to do something about that intro sound!

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