[cbuscru77]

So am I the only one who feels the CBJ should just concede the playoffs this year and finally move some of these overpaid players for some future talent? The Jackets are a .500 team at best which is a real disappointment with the talent that is on this team. If you truely look at the standings and take into account the games in hand that many of the other Western Conference teams have on the CBJ you'll see we are actually a 11th or 12th place team at best. (The same place we are every year!) We have some good young talent in Syracuse and elsewhere in our system that don't have a place with the big club because the management feels an obligation to play these "past their prime" players! It's time to move Foote, Fedorov, Vyborny. Now grant it we might not get much in return for these players but it will relieve cap space which is probably the best we can hope for.
I don't believe the Jackets owe the fans the playoffs..at least not at the expense of the future. Look at what's happening to Atlanta. They pretty much almost sold the farm just to make the playoffs last year and for what to have to start rebuilding a team again!
I believe that what the Jackets and their management "owe" their fans is a clear comitment to building a true playoff team that will compete consistently year after year. Not just pick up some hired guns so we can say we made the playoffs! And definetly not picking up overpriced, past their prime big names in an attempt to fill seats! I think the fans now are too smart for that.
Any thoughts or am I just completely off my rocker here!!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

I don't think they should concede anything...epecially for a team that does not know what a playoff is...I think you fight til the bitter end, and if you get in, you start to give your players some playoff experience...(and you sell a few more tickets)

I think what they owe their fans is a team that is going to try to win every game they play with the talent they have...anything below that is a total sell out...and they should refund people who bought season tickets.

[cbuscru77]

Maybe concede is the wrong word, but the CBJ say as long as they are in the playoff hunt these overpriced players such as Foote will remain. I think this is the perfect opportunity to move Foote and Fedorov and even some other unrestricted players (Vyborny, Hainsey, Peca) and open even more cap space which is around 10mill. and really get some players for the future. I just fear that they'll do this new "rental" player stuff and really mortgage off the future for the present.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by cbuscru77

Maybe concede is the wrong word, but the CBJ say as long as they are in the playoff hunt these overpriced players such as Foote will remain. I think this is the perfect opportunity to move Foote and Fedorov and even some other unrestricted players (Vyborny, Hainsey, Peca) and open even more cap space which is around 10mill. and really get some players for the future. I just fear that they'll do this new "rental" player stuff and really mortgage off the future for the present.

I personally feel that Fedorov has been a good influence on Zherdev and I would be tempted to keep him.

Vyborny on the other hand has not played as well as he had in the past...

...and before letting go of Foote, I would want a meaningful replacement.

[cbuscru77]

This is what's being written locally:

The Blue Jackets have not made it easy on general manager Scott Howson.

With Friday's out-of-nowhere win in Detroit, the Blue Jackets were only two points out of eighth place in the Western Conference heading into last night. Just when you think they're buried, a hand pops out of the grave.
A difficult decision looms for Howson, and it probably won't get easier before the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
Howson could be a buyer. He could trade part of the club's future -- a No. 1 draft pick, perhaps -- to land a skilled center who could help the Blue Jackets reach the playoffs for the first time. This would delight coach Ken Hitchcock and a significant portion of the fan base, who care only about winning today.
If Howson is a buyer, here are two names to keep in mind: Mike Comrie of the New York Islanders and Vaclav Prospal of Tampa Bay, both unrestricted free agents this summer. Comrie would cost more than Prospal -- and the Islanders aren't out of it yet -- but neither would require fully mortgaging the Jackets' future.
Howson could also be a seller, with seven unrestricted free agents on his roster, a few of whom could bring a decent return.
Here's a guess at what the Blue Jackets' unrestricted free agents would bring in return:
• Adam Foote, defenseman: Players such as Foote are coveted by playoff clubs, so the Jackets should expect a proven NHL player and No. 1 draft pick in return. If they get two or three teams in a bidding war, the return could increase. Possible partners: Colorado, Detroit, San Jose, Pittsburgh.
• Sergei Fedorov, center: Even well-prepared GMs get enamored of "name" players at the deadline, which could be good for the Blue Jackets. Fedorov would net a first-round pick, or a player and a second-round pick. Possible partners: Detroit, Carolina, Ottawa, Montreal.
• Michael Peca, center: He hasn't been great lately for the Blue Jackets, but he has a reputation for great postseason play. See Edmonton, 2006. Peca could net the Blue Jackets a late first-round pick or a prospect or a second-round pick. Possible partners: Ottawa, Carolina, Minnesota, New Jersey.
• Ron Hainsey, defenseman: A bit surprising that the Blue Jackets aren't trying to sign him. Lots of playoff teams crave blue-line scoring, and Hainsey's seven goals and 28 points are attractive. Possible partners: Montreal, San Jose, New Jersey, Ottawa.
• David Vyborny, right winger: A brutal offensive season has killed his trade value. So a third-round pick might get it done. Possible partners: New Jersey, Buffalo, Dallas.
• Dick Tarnstrom, defenseman: Like Hainsey, blue-line skill makes his attractive. Fourth- or fifth-round pick. Possible partners: Minnesota, Buffalo, Vancouver.
• Jan Hejda, defenseman: Underrated stay-at-home defenseman who could bring a fifth-round pick from somebody who wants depth. Possible partner: Colorado.

I would love to see Sergei stay but I really just don't see that happening. They are already trying to "showcase" him by putting hime on the #1 line the other night when he has spent most of the season NOT on it and just coming back from a month out no less!

Foote needs to be moved. His leadership in the locker room is one thing but he's become a liability on the ice. Yes he leads the CBJ in blocked shots (mainly cause he can't get out of the way! haha cheap shot, sorry!)and yes maybe he's playing too many minutes for his age but that's what he wants and when you are on the ice for 4 of the 5 goals the other night it's either time to go or take a role with less ice time and I don't see him wanting to give up the ice, you know? And no it's not just 1 game he's consistently putting himself in bad positions and relying on Passy or Freddy to make the save to bail him out. Trust me I live in Cbus and I watch every game (regardless of how painful it has become lately!)

[cbuscru77]

And the CBJ prove my point for me! SELL SELL SELL Mr. Howson! No offense to Blueandwhite or any of the proud Toronto fans but the CBJ once again lose to one of the worst teams in the NHL. A Toronto team that gives up some of the most goals per game at home and the CBJ only get 1!!!! Pathetic..... Hitch was quite candid with the media today stating that with the inconsistent play of this team there is no way we can consider ourselves a playoff team. Agreed Mr. Hitchcock now what the heck are you going to do to fix this!!!