The Columbus Dispatch: "Five Truths" article - Hedger talks with Jarmo and JD

[CBJWerenski8]

Can’t post quotes yet but I’ll get around to it soon

Click to read more...

 

[Cowumbus]

Can’t post quotes yet but I’ll get around to it soon

Paywall, have sparknotes?

 

[Monk]

Paywall, have sparknotes?

Spoiler: 5 "Truths"

The narrative of this Blue Jackets season being filled with chaos has surrounded them fromthe start.The infamous Mike Babcock debacle that unfolded less than a week before training camp wasthe spark, but the roaring fire that followed was fueled by Patrik Laine’s injuries, JohnnyGaudreau’s slow start, Kent Johnson’s early assignment to the American Hockey League,Elvis Merzlikins’ request for “a new scenario,” and rookie defenseman David Jiricek’sdiscontent.More: Why Blue Jackets star Adam Fantilli and Luca Fantilli are best friends 'for life'Hovering over all of it is a 16-24-10 record coming out of the Jackets' “bye” week, not tomention a litany of blown leads in the third period. The Jackets’ top two hockey executives,president of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, havetaken heat all season, along with a coaching staff tasked with taking over for Babcock lastminute.“It seems like they’re going sideways or backwards, not on the upswing, and last year wastheir worst year in franchise history ... for an expansion team that had a ton of tough yearsand has very little to show for it,” Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli said of the Blue Jackets on arecent podcast. “It’s not that people don’t want to play in Columbus. It’s that people don’twant to play in Columbus with this management group and with this coaching staff.”Seravalli’s comments were only the most recent slamming the Jackets’ management andcoaches for their development tactics. It's been a free-for-all most of the season, so Davidson pushed back during a candid radio interview on 97.1 FM prior to the break

The Dispatch also spoke with Davidson and Kekalainen recently about a number of hotbutton topics.“People are going to hear what they hear, read what they read, think what they think andhave opinions, and that’s what makes the hockey world go ’round,” Davidson said. “But someof it, as far as I’m concerned, is folly. If you want to talk about our third periods, this andthat, that’s factual. Go for it. Goals against? Talk about it. It is what it is. It’s the truth. Let’sface the truth here ... but let’s tell the truth too.”So, here are five “truths” about this season, as defined by the Blue Jackets:

Columbus Blue Jackets are consistently competitive
One of the biggest misperceptions about the Jackets is: "They're terrible."They're actually not terrible. They've become a tough out most nights, despite 13 latecollapses.After downing the St. Louis Blues 1-0 on the road Jan. 31 to conclude a five-game trip with avictory, they went into the break with a 16-24-10 record. That has the Jackets in last place ofthe Metropolitan Division coming out of the break with just 42 points that has them tied forlast in the Eastern Conference with the Ottawa Senators ― a team some prognosticators feltwas a playoff contender.None of that, on its own, is sign of progress in Columbus. It takes a closer look to see that notall bad records are constructed the same.The Jackets were 15-32-3 after 50 games last season, also in last place of their division andconference, but that team was riddled with injuries and rarely competitive. This year’sJackets, while hampered by key injuries for a long stretch, are competitive most games. Theirbiggest issue is a well-documented problem of fumbling away leads in the third period ofgames ― 13 of them over the span of 12 games — and that’s the biggest reason they’re one ofjust four teams to already reach double-digits in overtime/shootout losses.They also had early winless streaks of four games (0-2-2) and nine games (0-7-2) that wereseparated by just one win, plummeting the Jackets from playoff contention early with a 1-9-4record between Oct. 24 and Nov. 19. During that stretch, the Jackets lost four games they’dled in the third period and three others in the third. Outside of those skids their record is 16-15-6 for a .514 points percentage. That’s not lightingthe league on fire, but it’s a signal that Columbus and its young roster led by a first-time NHLhead coach is figuring some things out.“When I heared (head coach Pascal Vincent) after the game in St. Louis, when he said that hedidn’t know quite how to describe it, but the players are ‘all in,’ that’s what we want to hear,”Davidson said. “The players are ‘all in.’ They play hard every night, but we’re trying to getgood enough to win games every night, and it’s a hard league. You need everything going to be able to win games consistently, and that hasn’t happened yet. It’s a process.”

Columbus Blue Jackets have plenty left to play for this season
Another way to slice it is by looking at how the Blue Jackets have fared against certain typesof competition.Against the Metropolitan Division, for example, they’re just 3-10-3 against teams from theirown division. Against the NHL’s other three divisions combined, the Jackets are a muchmore respectable 13-14-7, including 6-7-3 against the Atlantic and 7-7-4 against all WesternConference teams.Should that trend hold, the Jackets could make tangible progress within the standings thisseason if they figure out how to improve against their own division. Fans and some in themedia feel that’s a misguided way to approach the Blue Jackets’ situation, especially withanother NHL draft lottery ticket on the way, but they already have a promising core ofyoungsters who are a big reason for the success they have managed this season.Allowing them to gain confidence as a group in the NHL could be vital to the Blue Jacketstaking even bigger steps forward in the next couple years.“In these last (32) games, if we can get some wins, and show these younger guys what it feelslike to win in this league consistently, that’s when you learn,” Werenski said. “That’s huge forour group going into summer. We’re getting healthy now, we’re getting people back, sothere’s no excuses. The young guys have played enough, now the veterans have to take thelead and find a way to win some games before summer.

Development of Columbus Blue Jackets rookie defenseman
Adam Jiricek isn’t abnormalJiricek’s development path in his second pro season has become the biggest source ofdiscontent about the Blue Jackets’ front office.He’s been assigned to AHL Cleveland three times along with 36 NHL games for the BlueJackets, but the latest demotion caused the biggest flap. Jiricek is back with the Monsterswhile tasked with working to improve defensive skills that weren’t sharp enough to keep himin the everyday lineup in Columbus.Critics, including Seravalli and Jiricek himself, feel the young defenseman should be makingthose improvements with the Blue Jackets after an all-star performance last year as an AHLrookie. The Blue Jackets counter that Jiricek had become a liability in the NHL and his solidnumbers — one goal, eight assists and nine points ― were largely a result of the coachingstaff’s effort to shelter him away from difficult matchups.Jiricek was told by management early in the season to “get a place” in Columbus, butKekalainen said the rookie was also told he’d be sent to Cleveland to play bigger minutes if helost his spot within the NHL playing group. That’s exactly what happened, which led toJiricek being assigned to Cleveland for a short two-game stint in January before rejoining theBlue Jackets for the start of their road trip leading into the break.The consternation about his handling kicked into high gear when Jiricek was returned toCleveland from the Jackets’ stop in Calgary after watching the first game of the trip inEdmonton as a healthy scratch. Werenski’s return from an ankle injury forced a roster move,so Jircek became a Monster again. Critics were quick to criticize the Blue Jackets for togglingthe sixth overall pick of the 2022 draft so often, but Jiricek isn’t the first young player who’sdealt with it.In fact, the list of top NHL defensemen who needed multiple seasons to mature at lowerlevels is filled with familiar names.It includes Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks), Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), AlexPietrangelo (Vegas Golden Knights), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Devon Toews(Colorado Avalanche), Roman Josi (Nashville Predators), Thomas Harley (Dallas Stars),Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings), John Carlson (Washington Capitals), K’Andre Miller(New York Rangers), Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils) and plenty of others. Nemec, it should be pointed out, was selected second overall in 2022 ― four spots higherthan Jiricek in the same draft class. He played all of last season in the AHL plus 13 moregames this season before the Devils recalled him.Those who took less time include Werenski, Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), DrewDoughty (Los Angeles Kings), Seth Jones (Chicago Blackhawks), Quinn Hughes (VancouverCanucks), Pavel Mintukov (Anaheim Ducks), Kevin Korchinski (Chicago Blackhawks) andothers.Two big distinctions must be pointed out within that group. The first is that nearly all arerated by scouts as good to great skaters — which doesn’t apply to Jiricek yet. The second isthat Korchinski would likely be in the AHL for any other NHL team than the woefulBlackhawks.Jiricek has work left to do defensively, so he's back in the AHL because the Blue Jackets feelthat's what's best for him. They're trying to develop him into a star NHL defenseman.“I think it’s been blown out of proportion,” Kekalainen said. “He was struggling a bit beforewe sent him down, so this whole thing is because of the other (criticism) that we’re taking,and everybody’s piling on. I think it’s ridiculous. We’ve communicated with him right fromthe start that if he’s not playing for us, he’s going to play there. It’s been very clear, right fromthe start. It’s our responsibility to put the players into positions where they can succeed.Jiricek was struggling toward the end, so he wasn’t in the top six and the coaches weren’tgoing to play him. So, he’s going to play in Cleveland."

Columbus Blue Jackets still aim to help Adam Fantilli become elite center
Almost as frustrating for the Jackets’ front office is the criticism they've taken for thecoaching staff shifting rookie forward Adam Fantilli from center to left wing on two briefoccasions.Fantilli, 19, is out for an estimated eight weeks now with a calf laceration, but he’d begun toplay left wing prior to the injury. Fans on social media went into a full meltdown over it. Thetruth, like with Jiricek’s assignment to Cleveland, is that playing center in the NHL isextremely difficult and mentally taxing for most rookies, and Fantilli is no exception. He’d posted impressive offensive numbers for a teenager challenged by handling the topcenter role while Jenner was out with a broken jaw, but that had begun to stall out. Vincentand assistant Mark Recchi wanted to help Fantilli reignite his engine by freeing him from thedefensive responsibilities of playing center, so they pushed him out to the wing after Jennerreturned.It wasn’t a shift in long-term focus for Fantilli, whom the Jackets still see as their top centerof the near future.“Adam Fantilli playing left wing, for me, was an idea which everybody bought into becauseit’s hard to play center ice as a very young first-year player,” Davidson said. “When you’re thecenter, you’re the quarterback in your own zone. It’s really hard. So, if he’s playing left wingthen he has the freedom to just go do what he wants to do ... just go play. At the sametime, we’re trying to help him learn the game a little bit. It’s just the natural evolution of ahockey player when they’re young. None of this is personal. It’s just trying to make peoplebetter and help them get where they need to be.”Columbus Blue Jackets’ young core making big strides

That’s a great segue into the final “truth” about this Blue Jackets season.Despite external laments, consternation over their record, another early exit from playoffcontention and far too many blown leads late in games, the Blue Jackets have an impressivecore of young impact players who are, indeed, getting where they need to be.Dmitri Voronkov is a revelation as a rookie power forward who can play center or wing. KirillMarchenko continues to show all the tools necessary to become a lethal scorer. YegorChinakhov is rapidly developing into a two-way force. Cole Sillinger has rebounded nicelyfrom his sophomore scoring struggles. Fantilli showed flashes of brilliance prior to his injury,along with Kent Johnson and Jiricek at times.That’s seven young players with bright futures, and that’s without mentioning the BlueJackets still have Johnny Gaudreau, Werenski, Jenner, Patrik Laine plus a host of others withNHL experience who’ve helped them stay competitive in most games.That young core group is expected to take the lead eventually and push the Blue Jackets tonew levels that would make most of the griping from the outside disappear. It might notseem like it, based on record, but that time might be closer than many assume. “We’ve got good young talent and we’re going to get them to the promised land, but it’s ahard journey and every single one of them is different,” Davidson said. “You don’t justsprinkle fairy dust on them and all of a sudden everybody’s a good NHL player. It’s toughwith young players because you never know when they’re going to pop. We’re seeing severalof them are popping right now, which is the type of stuff that you love to see.”

 

[koteka]

Can’t post quotes yet but I’ll get around to it soon

Here is my favorite:

“Against the Metropolitan Division, for example, they’re just 3-10-3 against teams from their own division. Against the NHL’s other three divisions combined, the Jackets are a much more respectable 13-14-7”

Describing winning 13 out of 34 games as “much more respectable”? Hedger sucks. How about “going 13-21 against the rest of the NHL is awful, but not nearly as atrocious as the the Jackets 3-13 record in the Metro division”?

 

[koteka]

The article is structured as 5 truths “as defined by the Blue Jackets”

It does does not mention any “truths” involving goaltending or defensive schemes.

 

[Cowumbus]

Who wrote this crap? Hedger sucks.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I confess I was going to come in and defend Hedger, that as a media member with supposed access, he can request time with leadership and, if granted, ask them questions and report what they say. It's not his job to agree or disagree with what they have to say.

But here he seems to actually be agreeing. It's either poorly structured or, more to the point and to use Cowumbus' word, "crap."

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I guess I’ll be the guy to say I don’t think the article is that bad.

Now is it an overly rose colored look at things? Yeah. Because while I don’t think things are as dire and far away as some here think, it’s not as glowing as that article paints it as.

The divisional record has to be way better. There’s no sugar coating that.

The two long losing streaks did doom the season. You cannot go on that long of a skid and expect to survive. Unless you have McDavid I guess.

Yo-yoing Jiricek was stupid. He should have never been guaranteed a spot to begin with. That is indefensible for management.

While improvements have been made the amount of shots against that we take are not sustainable for any long term success and the incredibly poor special teams is not a recipe for winning either. All of this needs to be corrected for any realistic shot of making a playoff run next year.

So yeah in review, it’s not completely off base but it’s also not as positive as he makes it out to be either.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

To the content of the piece itself: I'm not sure the "five truths" are necessarily untrue.

1) Team blows leads
2) Team sucks in its division
3) Development of young players is not linear, many good young players have been sent down
4) Development of young players is not linear, many good young players have worked at different positions in their development
5) Our young players are showing some things

Each has some element of truth to it. Problem is in the context. And I don't like any of the context, or implied context, of the explanations provided by Jarmo/JD. They don't inspire confidence in me.

 

[Halfboard]

What an apologist, house tool article. Embarrassing. Just go work directly for the team.

And Jarmo & JD……defensive much? What arrogant entitled assholes.

 

[tunnelvision]

I'll only comment that Jarmo's, JD's and Hedger's ability to defend against the criticism reminds me of CBJ's ability to defend their net.

 

[squashmaple]

I'll only comment that Jarmo's, JD's and Hedger's ability to defend against the criticism reminds me of CBJ's ability to defend their net.

Their biggest strength, truly, is the ability to generate unforced errors. And then go surprised Pikachu when presented with the results.

 

[JohnnyJacket13]

I can’t stand Hedger

 

[Jovavic]

"It's our responsibility to put the players in position to succeed"

They have failed that. From Jarmo's player construction to the coaching staff's power play units.

 

[LJ7]

This is meant to be a silver lining? A good sign? That does not make me feel better about where the team is at whatsoever

 

[DarkandStormy]

Is Hedger aware Duncan Keith played his 2nd AHL season because there was a lockout? Like what an absolute moron lmao

This is meant to be a silver lining? A good sign? That does not make me feel better about where the team is at whatsoever

If you ignore the losing streaks...they're still on pace to be the 7th-worst team in the league!

 

[Forepar]

That’s seven young players with bright futures, and that’s without mentioning the BlueJackets still have Johnny Gaudreau, Werenski, Jenner, Patrik Laine plus a host of others with NHL experience who’ve helped them stay competitive in most games.

I excerpted the above from Monk's post, for emphasis.

As I see this season, and the CBJ's immediate future in general, the problem is not being too young. They have the young horses (7 plus), and those young horses have played well enough to keep CBJ in games, albeit with typical rookie/developing player mistakes. In my estimation, Fantilli is the stud that leads this group to success - he has the talent AND the fire to drag others into the fray.

One of two primary problems this season is that 2 of the 4 above-listed vets (JG/Laine) are WAY underperforming - not by just a little, but by a lot. It's not just the comparison of performance to contract - they just don't bring any intangibles to the table to offset struggling performance. When top-line players like them don't play to their expected level, that affects everyone in so many different ways. Playing poorly is worse than being injured, because there appears to be nothing as far as leadership that Laine or JG can offer this year to offset their meager performance - that just isn't their makeup. So those 2 have been boat anchors for this entire season, even when Laine was healthy. In addition, 3 of the 4 listed vets have missed significant time with injuries and/or placement in the PAP - that hasn't helped the cause either. Not blaming any player for injuries or PAP - but the lack of solid veteran performance because of absence from the lineup certainly has not contributed to being competitive.

The second primary problem this season is that the bulk of the "other" vets, with the exception of perhaps Kuraly and Gudbranson, have not consistently contributed to the CBJ being competitive in games or dragging teammates into the battle. Most of the other vets (Roslovic, Severson, Provorov, Merzlikens, Olivier) have been primarily boat anchors for a variety of reasons and do not appear to be providing the veteran leadership (nor have it in their makeup) in terms of consistent play and vocal leadership. They add nothing. Werenski, when healthy, has been showing signs of big improvement in a number of ways. Jenner, other than the broken jaw, has been Jenner+ - a really good veteran player who scores goals, with the ability to lead by example, on a great contract. The kind of vet playoff teams AND THIS TEAM need. He just needs MORE veteran help, including those with additional leadership skills that fill where he has gaps (i.e. not vocal enough). JK missed on his veteran signings - which is nothing new. When Foligino was captain, there were other vets who were also leaders with different leadership skills (Dubinsky, Jones, Jenner, Cam). Current roster does not have that skillset.

IMO, the biggest reason the CJB has been competitive is primarily because of the efforts, not in spite of the efforts, of the 7 young players (along with Jenner, Werenski, Kuraly (at least his line) and maybe Gudbranson).

So how does that make JD/JK think they have a pass? They signed all of these the underperforming and/or untalented vets (ignoring that a few of those contracts are really bad but that's not really my point).
The young core looks like it could be really good - that makes JK a good scout of young talent but not a good GM.
He's a poor evaluator of veteran pro talent - he doesn't get the correct veterans for the team, nor at the right contract.
I'd love to keep JK as an amateur scout - which will never happen.

This blasted article is just one more stick on this camel's back as far as retaining JK as GM and JD as PHO. I promised myself to be positive ...ok, sigh, Fantilli is back in 8, 7, 6 more weeks.

 

[majormajor]

The way Hedger tries to portray the team's record in a positive light is farcical. But he's broadly correct about everything else.

Fantilli going to the wing is exactly right, there's nothing lost by a center starting his career on the wing, we should have had him on the wing the whole time.

Jiricek in the AHL? Should have been there the whole time.

Is Hedger aware Duncan Keith played his 2nd AHL season because there was a lockout? Like what an absolute moron lmao

Duncan Keith made the NHL in his D+4. Lockout or no lockout, it's a solid point in his argument. The guy you're calling an absolute moron has thought this through better than you have.

That’s seven young players with bright futures, and that’s without mentioning the BlueJackets still have Johnny Gaudreau, Werenski, Jenner, Patrik Laine plus a host of others with NHL experience who’ve helped them stay competitive in most games.

I excerpted the above from Monk's post, for emphasis.

As I see this season, and the CBJ's immediate future in general, the problem is not being too young. They have the young horses (7 plus), and those young horses have played well enough to keep CBJ in games, albeit with typical rookie/developing player mistakes. In my estimation, Fantilli is the stud that leads this group to success - he has the talent AND the fire to drag others into the fray.

One of two primary problems this season is that 2 of the 4 above-listed vets (JG/Laine) are WAY underperforming - not by just a little, but by a lot. It's not just the comparison of performance to contract - they just don't bring any intangibles to the table to offset struggling performance. When top-line players like them don't play to their expected level, that affects everyone in so many different ways. Playing poorly is worse than being injured, because there appears to be nothing as far as leadership that Laine or JG can offer this year to offset their meager performance - that just isn't their makeup. So those 2 have been boat anchors for this entire season, even when Laine was healthy. In addition, 3 of the 4 listed vets have missed significant time with injuries and/or placement in the PAP - that hasn't helped the cause either. Not blaming any player for injuries or PAP - but the lack of solid veteran performance because of absence from the lineup certainly has not contributed to being competitive.

The second primary problem this season is that the bulk of the "other" vets, with the exception of perhaps Kuraly and Gudbranson, have not consistently contributed to the CBJ being competitive in games or dragging teammates into the battle. Most of the other vets (Roslovic, Severson, Provorov, Merzlikens, Olivier) have been primarily boat anchors for a variety of reasons and do not appear to be providing the veteran leadership (nor have it in their makeup) in terms of consistent play and vocal leadership. They add nothing. Werenski, when healthy, has been showing signs of big improvement in a number of ways. Jenner, other than the broken jaw, has been Jenner+ - a really good veteran player who scores goals, with the ability to lead by example, on a great contract. The kind of vet playoff teams AND THIS TEAM need. He just needs MORE veteran help, including those with additional leadership skills that fill where he has gaps (i.e. not vocal enough). JK missed on his veteran signings - which is nothing new. When Foligino was captain, there were other vets who were also leaders with different leadership skills (Dubinsky, Jones, Jenner, Cam). Current roster does not have that skillset.

IMO, the biggest reason the CJB has been competitive is primarily because of the efforts, not in spite of the efforts, of the 7 young players (along with Jenner, Werenski, Kuraly (at least his line) and maybe Gudbranson).

So how does that make JD/JK think they have a pass? They signed all of these the underperforming and/or untalented vets (ignoring that a few of those contracts are really bad but that's not really my point).
The young core looks like it could be really good - that makes JK a good scout of young talent but not a good GM.
He's a poor evaluator of veteran pro talent - he doesn't get the correct veterans for the team, nor at the right contract.
I'd love to keep JK as an amateur scout - which will never happen.

This blasted article is just one more stick on this camel's back as far as retaining JK as GM and JD as PHO. I promised myself to be positive ...ok, sigh, Fantilli is back in 8, 7, 6 more weeks.

Relative to our expectations coming into the year, the shortcomings of Gaudreau and Laine have been the biggest problem by far. No doubt.

I'll dispute that Roslovic, Severson, Provorov, Olivier, and Merzlikins have been boat anchors to any extent. Maybe Roslovic lately. But they're all putting up okayish results. Like Merzlikins has a league average save percentage, how is that a boat anchor? Severson is average (gets more crap because he's overpaid), Provorov is average (after starting great). Olivier is getting average results in a depth role.

I would like Elvis, Roslovic, and Provorov to be replaced by better veteran leaders who play a better role in the room. But that's a different argument.

As for the 7 young players - they actually have the best results among our forwards. The three Russians have great goals results (GF%). Sillinger and KJ also above 50%. We'll see how sustainable that is, the xGs are lower, but you see that discrepancy a lot with rush oriented teams. We'll be outshot even if we're a good team, that's just the way Jarmo built it.

But the one exception from that group of young players is the guy you think is leading them. Fantilli. He's been outscored by a country mile. More goals against than anyone else on the team, close to the worst goals against per minute in the league. Absolutely lit up. Which is why giving him less defensive responsibility on the wing is a great move. He can switch back when he's ready to play both ends.

 

[DarkandStormy]

Duncan Keith made the NHL in his D+4. Lockout or no lockout, it's a solid point in his argument. The guy you're calling an absolute moron has thought this through better than you have.

The NHL didn't have a season in his D+3 year.

But yes, Duncan Keith, a 2nd round pick, spending an extra year in the AHL 20 years ago is relevant and totally justifies yanking around Jiricek this year. You got me.

 

[majormajor]

The NHL didn't have a season in his D+3 year.

But yes, Duncan Keith, a 2nd round pick, spending an extra year in the AHL 20 years ago is relevant and totally justifies yanking around Jiricek this year. You got me.

Keith is just one name in a long list of elite NHL D that made the league in their D+3 or D+4. I don't think this is the hill you want to fight on.

If you're only interested in names drafted in the top ten, Pietrangelo, and Seider didn't stick in the NHL in their D+2s. Edvinsson and Clarke were drafted in 2021 and still aren't full time NHLers. I think Edvinsson is far more NHL ready than Jiricek is. Do you need me to keep going?

We would be following the more unusual approach if we had Jiricek up here full time this year, that's relatively early.

 

[stevo61]

People are very impatient with defenseman when very few are ready at a young age. You guys remind me of a 13 year old girl that wants a car

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

This is meant to be a silver lining? A good sign? That does not make me feel better about where the team is at whatsoever

Well, if you are going to suck against a division, might as well do it against the one you play more often than the others.

The bengals were good against everyone outside their division this year too and look what it got them. A free January.

People are very impatient with defenseman when very few are ready at a young age. You guys remind me of a 13 year old girl that wants a car

I'd like to think of it as the fact I got a car in 2000 and I'm desperately hoping to eventually get one that runs well after 23 years of maintenance.

 

[stevo61]

Well, if you are going to suck against a division, might as well do it against the one you play more often than the others.

The bengals were good against everyone outside their division this year too and look what it got them. A free January.


I'd like to think of it as the fact I got a car in 2000 and I'm desperately hoping to eventually get one that runs well after 23 years of maintenance.

We need a new mechanic

 

[Cowumbus]

Here is my favorite:

“Against the Metropolitan Division, for example, they’re just 3-10-3 against teams from their own division. Against the NHL’s other three divisions combined, the Jackets are a much more respectable 13-14-7”

Describing winning 13 out of 34 games as “much more respectable”? Hedger sucks. How about “going 13-21 against the rest of the NHL is awful, but not nearly as atrocious as the the Jackets 3-13 record in the Metro division”?

Here’s a fact, the longest win streak this year is 2 games. It’s happened twice.

 

[stevo61]

Hedger acting like Vincent came in completely blind? Dude is out to lunch