[Gotham Dark Knight]

"The last 50 games, we've proven that we're a team that's getting better," said Doug MacLean, president and general manager.
On Dec. 23, the Blue Jackets were an NHL-worst 9-25-1. Then 2003-04 goal-scoring co-champion Rick Nash and defenseman Rostislav Klesla returned from injuries and Sergei Fedorov, acquired in an October trade with Anaheim, found his footing.

After that the club went 26-18-3. The offense provided some spark, the defense got stingy and goaltenders Marc Denis and Pascal Leclaire played well.
"If you look at our second half of the season, we came a long way," said Nash, who finished with 31 goals and a career-best 23 assists to give him 54 points in 54 games. "If we had 30 more games left, I'm sure we'd be right there to make a playoff spot."
David Vyborny had a huge year (22 goals, 43 assists) to move into the Blue Jackets' career lead in games (395), goals (90) and assists (137).
Forward Nikolai Zherdev had his best season with 27 goals and 27 assists before missing the final two weeks with a sprained knee. He, like Nash, is just 21. At 36, Fedorov had his worst NHL season in terms of numbers (12 goals, 32 assists) but was a valued commodity around the younger players -- particularly Zherdev -- in the dressing room and on the ice.


This team is on the verge of making it into the playoffs...they played great over the last 57 games of the season...I think next year we are getting some forum fans...

[Lefty Noob]

Definitely a team on the rise, Gotham. People will start hopping on the bandwagon soon enough! Nash is definitely a player to keep an eye on. Wonder about Federov, though... he's getting up there in years. Will he be back in 2006-07?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Definitely a team on the rise, Gotham. People will start hopping on the bandwagon soon enough! Nash is definitely a player to keep an eye on. Wonder about Federov, though... he's getting up there in years. Will he be back in 2006-07?

I perfer the word "Visionary"... ...I think with the team on the rise and his role one of leadership that Federov would squeeze out another season...the bandwagon needs someone of your prolific posting skills...hop aboard before the rush!

[cjg11582]

I have never heard such optimism expressed about The Blue Jackets. Are you guys expecting The Niners to make a Superbowl run?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by cjg11582

I have never heard such optimism expressed about The Blue Jackets. Are you guys expecting The Niners to make a Superbowl run?

Form the person who believes Kobe to be able to carry the Knicks on his back and into the playoffs?...Hello kettle...why yes, you are an "optimistic shade of black"... ...Resist the urge to hate the Jackets and come join us cjg...

[cjg11582]

There are a few subtle differences between the hypothetical Kobe-Knicks situation and having faith in The Blue Jackets ever winning anything. Is there a player in hockey who could improve The Jackets the way I think Kobe can improve The Knicks? Maybe a goalie?
And speaking of which, Gotham, did you watch that Suns-Lakers game on Wednesday? Tell me Kobe wouldn't vastly improve The Knicks current standing in The NBA.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by cjg11582

There are a few subtle differences between the hypothetical Kobe-Knicks situation and having faith in The Blue Jackets ever winning anything. Is there a player in hockey who could improve The Jackets the way I think Kobe can improve The Knicks? Maybe a goalie?
And speaking of which, Gotham, did you watch that Suns-Lakers game on Wednesday? Tell me Kobe wouldn't vastly improve The Knicks current standing in The NBA.

Yes Kobe would improve them...just trying to lure you back into Blue Jackets posting ...cheap way of doing it...

The Blue Jackets had a great run in the second half of the season...they have some really great young talent and I see no reason why they will not be in the playoffs this year...I mean 26-18-3 over the last part of the season is a team on the rise...and thier top line when they were all health was looking really good...What's not to faith about?

[cjg11582]

It's essentially the same approach I took to The Clippers at the beginning of this season, they had the the right players at the right positions, and on paper I would have picked them to win the Pacific Division. But I opted against it under the "I'll believe it when I see it" guidelines. There are some franchises, much like The Jackets and The Clippers, that you can never anticipate good things from based on a history of losing. So its shocking to me that any CBJ fans have high expectations.
If the Blue Jackets do happen to make the playoffs, I am taking a work sabbatical and relocating to a warm climate until there run is over. Then I can pretend like the entire thing never happened.