What would you like CBJ management to do?

[Cyclones Rock]

The Power Play on this team may be beyond repair with the current coaching staff. Here is the cumulative league performance since Torts became head coach (I'm not going to revise for the 7 games Todd Richards coached in 15-16 and it probably wouldn't change the percentage even 1/10th of 1%):

NHL.com - Stats

CBJ from 2015-16 to present cumulative:
17.3% (rank 27/31). Worst was 17.0%. 15 teams were 19.7% or above.

This year the PP is "performing" at a putrid 13% and the PK an abysmal 74%. The special teams stink.

As the league continues to call more penalties and the speed/skill level of players increase, the need for effective special teams becomes even greater.

St. Louis declined to be a consultant this year. There are other fish in the sea. This organization needs one (or more) of them to fix this ongoing mess. This is entirely on the GM for allowing this bottom of the league PP strategy/philosophy to continue.

A PP featuring Alexander Wennberg on its first unit is in deep shit.

 

[EspenK]

Ease up on the personal attacks, folks. It's not helping.

* * *​

This is part of what I was referring to with the "mumble mumble talent level" gripe. We do have guys who have demonstrated the capability to score outside of those situations. Bjorkstrand's done it. Atkinson's done it. Anderson's done it. And so on. They're all very good. The two examples you're giving are a budding star and a generational-level first-ballot HoF superstar. That's like saying our defense isn't good enough because we don't have Bobby Orr. It's excessive.

When those guys score on a consistent basis rather than hot streaks and can be counted on for 30 plus goals every year, I'll consider them better than average goal scorers. Give me a Gaudreau, a Kessel. (maybe past or close to his expiration date) a Pastrnak, a Point and we can talk. Until then you aren't going to convine me they are better than an ok goal scorer.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

When those guys score on a consistent basis rather than hot streaks and can be counted on for 30 plus goals every year, I'll consider them better than average goal scorers. Give me a Gaudreau, a Kessel. (maybe past or close to his expiration date) a Pastrnak, a Point and we can talk. Until then you aren't going to convine me they are better than an ok goal scorer.

I'd place Atkinson as a far better than average scorer, Dubois as a probable better than average scorer and Anderson as a possible better than average scorer.

The rest of the forwards are terrible/who knows/mediocre.

There is no elite goal scorer on this team. People can complain about "lack of finish" or short term shooting percentage being low, but this is a team which is clearly a goal scoring challenged team in a league where goal scoring is on the rise. The CBJ have few talented goal scorers. Clear as day.

 

[Viqsi]

When those guys score on a consistent basis rather than hot streaks and can be counted on for 30 plus goals every year, I'll consider them better than average goal scorers. Give me a Gaudreau, a Kessel. (maybe past or close to his expiration date) a Pastrnak, a Point and we can talk. Until then you aren't going to convine me they are better than an ok goal scorer.

This is a very superstars-only driven assessment, which is odd considering earlier adulation for the St. Louis Blues.

 

[majormajor]

What's Oliver Bjorkstrand got to do to get some respect around here? He's not terrible/who knows/mediocre.

Here's last years league leaders in 5v5 goal scoring rates. That's Bjorkstrand tied with Matthews at 6th in the league, and Cam tied for 9th with Tyler Johnson.

You might say he's too streaky so it doesn't count, but then go ahead and cross off Laine, Kessel, Gaudreau, Matthews, etc...

 

[majormajor]

There's not much to worry about when it comes to shooting talent at 5 v 5. Most clubs don't have this many guys who score at these rates. They managed 8.0% shooting without Panarin on the ice last year, they should be at least 7.5% this year. That's a couple more goals than we've seen so far. The potential big stumbling block continues to be the PP. And I don't think that's a shooting ability problem. It's systemic.

 

[blahblah]

My recommendation is to keep on keeping on.

I have a whole list of changes I would make, but about .00015% of the population would agree with my "plan". That estimate is probably high, but I haven't calculated the worlds population as a percentage in relation to my sister who is just insanely supportive and just a tad crazy.

Having said that, can we trade Savard before they are tempted to sign him to a long-term UFA deal please?

 

[thebus88]

I'd place Atkinson as a far better than average scorer, Dubois as a probable better than average scorer and Anderson as a possible better than average scorer.

The rest of the forwards are terrible/who knows/mediocre.

There is no elite goal scorer on this team. People can complain about "lack of finish" or short term shooting percentage being low, but this is a team which is clearly a goal scoring challenged team in a league where goal scoring is on the rise. The CBJ have few talented goal scorers. Clear as day.

There varying levels of blame to go around, but, Bjorkstrand is the real deal.

Maybe not as a complete offensive player, but his actual finishing ability, and his actual shot as a whole (release quickness, velocity, accuracy) is quite literally elite at the NHL level. He IS an elite NHL goal scorer, more skilled than Atkinson, and many others that people probably consider "elite".

While Bjorkstrand could do a bit (a very small bit imo) more on the ice getting into more dangerous positions, one of the few things I have a problem with in regards to Torts, is his usage and "leash" he's had on Bjorkstrand. Its has quite clearly helped him become a better player, but OK, now he's a better player. He should be seeing much more time in general, and more time with players higher in the lineup, and not Wennberg. He also should NEVER NOT BE ON THE #1PP, OVER ANYBODY, arguably even Jones.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

There varying levels of blame to go around, but, Bjorkstrand is the real deal.

Maybe not as a complete offensive player, but his actual finishing ability, and his actual shot as a whole (release quickness, velocity, accuracy) is quite literally elite at the NHL level. He IS an elite NHL goal scorer, more skilled than Atkinson, and many others that people probably consider "elite".

While Bjorkstrand could do a bit (a very small bit imo) more on the ice getting into more dangerous positions, one of the few things I have a problem with in regards to Torts, is his usage and "leash" he's had on Bjorkstrand. Its has quite clearly helped him become a better player, but OK, now he's a better player. He should be seeing much more time in general, and more time with players higher in the lineup, and not Wennberg. He also should NEVER NOT BE ON THE #1PP, OVER ANYBODY, arguably even Jones.

I didn't put Bjorkstrand in. Yet. He repeats 20 goals and I'd include him. I think that he probably will.

He's going to have to show Cam Atkinson numbers before he would get the consideration from me of being more skilled than Cam. He's got a lot of goal scoring to do before that happens.

 

[thebus88]

He's going to have to show Cam Atkinson numbers before he would get the consideration from me of being more skilled than Cam. He's got a lot of goal scoring to do before that happens.

SIMPLY.....

What comes 1st, the "numbers" or the "skill"??


*this question is also directed to all the "advanced statistic" utterers and simple stat/number junkies*

 

[Fred Glover]

I am going on record that i have changed my vote. As a previous Korpi critic, I have seen some improvement over the past few games. Kudos to him for his play. If he continues to play like this, and Elvis improves, goaltending should be the least of our worries. So I voted to trade Harrington to get a top 9 forward. In fact, I would package him to try to get a better return.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

SIMPLY.....

What comes 1st, the "numbers" or the "skill"??


*this question is also directed to all the "advanced statistic" utterers and simple stat/number junkies*

Need the skill to get the numbers. So I guess, the skill does come first. But the proof is in the pudding (numbers).

 

[ViD]

I’d package Werenski and Jenner and get us someone who can wizard the PP

 

[Cowumbus]

Savard Jenner for Kapanen Ceci Bracco
Werenski + for Point

 

[majormajor]

I’d package Werenski and Jenner and get us someone who can wizard the PP

I'd put Werenski on the right half-wall so he can wizard the PP.

I'm sure there's some trades I'd be fine with, but I'm also convinced the PP is not a player personnel issue.

 

[majormajor]

Savard Jenner for Kapanen Ceci Bracco
Werenski + for Point

Tampa says no on the second one, and I think the first one does a lot more for the Leafs than the Jackets. They'd wet themselves to upgrade to Savard from Ceci. I might take Kapanen over Jenner, he's super fast, but he's not a skill player, by the way. He's a speedy checking forward. I think Jarmo is on the lookout for bigger upgrades than that.

 

[Bluesguru]

To me, Columbus has been playing pretty well lately. No doubt the team could use a big scorer, but this team is still built for team hockey. Team still has great size and poise to dictate play. Nyquist was a nice pick up and maybe Texier develops into a scorer as the season develops. Great game against Lesfs tonight.

 

[EspenK]

This is a very superstars-only driven assessment, which is odd considering earlier adulation for the St. Louis Blues.

I don't remember me being a big adulation for the Blues guy. They had a solid team but without Binnington catching fire I don't think they would have won or even made the playoffs.

 

[Viqsi]

I don't remember me being a big adulation for the Blues guy. They had a solid team but without Binnington catching fire I don't think they would have won or even made the playoffs.

...okay then, I guess I can't argue with logic like that.

 

[majormajor]

I don't remember me being a big adulation for the Blues guy. They had a solid team but without Binnington catching fire I don't think they would have won or even made the playoffs.

1. They won, therefore it's a model of success.
2. Isn't "goalie catching fire" one of the oft-stated prerequisites for any team winning the cup?
3. I remember watching the finals last year and thinking that Binnington wasn't even playing well.
4. Just looking at how his numbers compare, Binnington's .914 in the playoffs was the lowest sv% of a cup winning goalie since Quick in 2014.

 

[DarkandStormy]

Wennberg scored the game-tying goal on the PP, so...keep up the reverse trickery everyone!

There *should* be some sort of package around D depth + for forward help. Bemstrom isn't who we thought he was in the preseason, and despite Milano leading the team in xGF% at 5v5 Torts still doesn't trust him. Is Dubinsky just going to LTIRetire? There are some openings up front, depending on what the FO would package together. But I don't think carrying 8D is a good strategy, considering 9 and 10 D are pretty competent guys in Peeke and Clendening. So from a personnel perspective, a bottom 4D + bottom 9 F + pick/prospect for a top 6 F? I don't know if that's the going rate or a good trade, but it would clear the glut on the blue line a bit and help the offense up front, you would think.

Keeping Brad Larsen employed as the PP specialist is indefensible. It's the league's worst PP unit since The Streak ended (in January 2017). There really aren't any changes made to scheme. It's the same 1-3-1 set up, pass around the perimeter forever (should we even gain the zone to start), and stand around hoping the D...I don't know...forgets about one of the guys? Panarin, Atkinson, and Jones had a few quick passing plays off of faceoffs last year, notably in the playoffs, but other than that they don't look like they have much of a strategy. A lot of stagnant guys just passing on the outside. It's the worst PP in the league 2.5 years running and somehow Larsen still gets a paycheck for it! Ridiculous.

 

[Fro]

I voted "Trade Z for top 3 F"

Would now just like to fire and replace PP coach

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Jarmo emphasized again that Werenski was part of our core going forward. I don't think he's going anywhere.

People make such a big deal out of how many people left. But we still have our core in place. That’s the one thing we’re talking internally all the time about. ‘Let’s just talk about the guys that are here rather than talk about the guys who have left.’ If you look at our team one week before the (trade) deadline, and now, there’s one guy from the skaters which has left (Panarin) and one guy has come in, Gus Nyquist. We added a lot of guys at the deadline for a reason, it was all planned and done with a purpose and knowing the risks and knowing the price. But our core is still in Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, Nick Foligno, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Josh Anderson and those guys. Everybody worried about our goaltending going into the season but I think the first eight games they’ve shown … Elvis struggled in his debut in Pittsburgh but bounced right back and played a good game in Chicago; Korpisalo has been very solid. Right now, we like what we see with our team. Yeah, there’s some young guys that are getting used to the league but that’s every year, it’s a good thing to have that; young guys are pushing to not only make the team but get a role and make the team better.

LeBrun: Q&A with Jarmo Kekalainen on Columbus' changes, the...

 

[Cowumbus]

Jarmo emphasized again that Werenski was part of our core going forward. I don't think he's going anywhere.



LeBrun: Q&A with Jarmo Kekalainen on Columbus' changes, the...

Saad was part of our core too.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Saad was part of our core too.

And then he and Torts didn't get along and Saad stagnated. I don't recall Jarmo mentioning him by name as part of the core the year after we got him.