Sep3rd

Wanna Get Fritsche with You

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: None Yet

The Dispatch is reporting that Parma, Ohio product and former Columbus BlueJacet Dan Fritsche will be in training camp on a tryout.
Fritsche was drafted 46th overall in the 2003 entry draft by the Blue Jackets. He played 206 games with Columbus, scoring 29 goals and 34 assists for 63 points. Fritsche was well known among fans for his skating and work ethic before his trade with Nikolai Zherdev to the NY Rangers. 
Good move by the Jackets, as Fritsche could add some depth and speed to the roster I am not sure with the log jam at left wing where he will play, but [...]

Sep2nd

Center of Attention: Why Teams Win the Stanley Cup

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: None Yet

 

The Blue Jackets goal this season is a return to the playoffs. Management, players and fans begin that journey in just a few short days and I am, like most fans, boiling over with anticipation. But as we move from an off-season that started with disappointment to a new season of possibility, I want you to consider just what kind of team it will take to bring a Stanley Cup here. Not just a playoff spot, or a conference final. A Cup. THE Cup. A parade, grinning players with beards, grinning fans with beers.
Think fast! Name one trait every Stanley Cup [...]

Aug31st

Opportunity, Thy Name is Travis Zajac!

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: None Yet

Rumors abound that NJ is close to signing Ilya Kovalchuck, making some players expendable in the very near future.
Defenseman Bryce Salvador and center Dainius Zubrus are mentioned as likely candidates to be traded, but seeing as they are overpaid it is unlikely many teams will take them on.
Travis Zajac has also been mentioned as a possible trade option, and if this is true, I think the Jackets should pull the trigger now. Plain and simple, opportunities for quality centers do not come along every day… maybe once a season. 
Zajac is 6′3″, 200 lbs. He has averaged 20 goals and 40 [...]

Aug31st

Taking Aim: Development Camp Roster Released!

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: None Yet

The Blue Jackets have released roster of players that will play in the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan.
It will be a good chance for 2010 1st rounder Ryan Johansen and other new CBJ prospects to show what they can do against similar caliber competition.
The tournament runs September 11-15th.

Aug31st

Rounding out the Roster

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

At this point of the off-season, it is very likely to look at the players the CBJ have under contract and assume that the roster is set. I heartily disagree! This is the perfect time for Scott Howson to do the NHL version of discount shopping and bring in some additional talent to compete for roster spots for this season.
Some key areas that could use some depth for the season going forward are:

Right Wing- With Rick Nash most likely returning to left wing, right wing is looking a little thin on scoring depth. If Jakub Voracek can continue his growth as [...]

Aug26th

Steve Mason’s Future with the Blue Jackets

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: None Yet

Great article written by Jason Wagensveld about Steve Mason questioning whether his Calder Cup season was a fluke and if he can be successful going forward in the NHL with the CBJ.

Aug26th

Torres Signs with Canucks… Their Problem is Just Beginning!

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: None Yet

Word yesterday afternoon that UFA Raffi Torres has signed with the Vancouver Canucks for 1 million for 1 year. He became one of the few bright spots in a bad 2009-10 season.

Aug23rd

Getting Ready for Camp

AUTHOR: Aric McFall | IN: Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: 3 Comments

Training Camp 2010 opens in less than a month, and this years team is already shaping up to be vastly more committed than last years effort. Tidbits as we enter the slowest month of the season:

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