Ice Cap: Your Weekend Blue Jackets Coverage
Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; A general view of the Columbus Blue Jackets canon in Nationwide Arena prior to the game of the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The Ice Cap is your portal to all things Columbus Blue Jackets for the weekend.
In case you missed it: The Blue Jackets have switched their American Hockey League affiliate to the Lake Erie Monsters, based out of Cleveland. The Lake Erie Monsters served as the Colorado Avalanche‘s affiliate since it’s inaugural season in 2007-2008. Formerly the Springfield Falcons, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, served as the Blue Jackets affiliate since the 2010-2011 season. See the full report from the Blue Jackets here.
“The Blue Jackets couldn’t be more excited and proud to have the Lake Erie Monsters as our American Hockey League affiliate,” said John Davidson, Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations. “Both organizations are committed to winning and providing a great experience for hockey fans and we believe Cleveland, whose hockey roots date to the late-1920s, is the perfect place for our young players to grow, develop and have great success. Our sport has grown tremendously throughout the state of Ohio in recent years and we believe this partnership between two great hockey markets will allow us to continue that growth.”
UandB Take: This is a great partnership that makes so much sense you wonder why it didn’t happen sooner. The Columbus Clippers recently did something similar, going the opposite way on ’71, when they became the lower level of the Cleveland Indians, previously being an affiliate for the New York Yankees. What this does is increase the level of support while also branching out resulting in a bigger radius of fans. Clevelanders will now feel more of a connection, since some already root for the Jackets, with the availability to see the up and comers right down the street from them. That should help attendance for the Monsters. It should also increase fan support both on TV and day trips down to Nationwide Arena, as that connection should grow into support and buying power for the Jackets.
It could also help push for new sports media reform up in Cleveland as currently the Cleveland Cavaliers and Blue Jackets fight for airtime on Foxsports Ohio, which holds the television rights to both. Now even the most staunch Jackets and hockey fan will tell you, the Cavs are far more popular, leading to unaired Blue Jackets games up in Cleveland. I’m not considering the Jackets are taking over the Cavs anytime soon, but it would help if all the games would be able to be seen. One worthwhile note. Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert is also the owner of the Monsters. He has done a great job revitalizing the Cavs and his company, Quicken Loans, is constantly considered one of the best places to work. Not that’s of huge importance, but it doesn’t hurt having that. Still not sold? Check out their alternative jerseys.
More news on the next page including the lottery, mocks, and a special Blue Jackets anniversary.
Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Other News
The Edmonton Oilers won the draft lottery (again…). Our views are well documented here. The Blue Jackets won’t move from their prior pre-lottery pick at 8. The big losers are the Phoenix Coyotes, who while they weren’t going to get star prize Connor McDavid, would be getting the other agreed upon franchise generational talent, Jack Eichel, prior to the lottery. Now that the Oilers have moved up to 1st, the Buffalo Sabers to 2nd (not great but Eichel isn’t a sad consolation prize), Arizona falls out of the once a decade type players realm. That said the mocks are starting to come out and the debate on what the Jackets should do has already begun.
Sportsnet’s Damien Cook’s mock has the Jackets taking the best available with RW Mikko Rantanen from Finland stating, “A left handed shot who prefers to play his off-wing, Rantanen played to favourable reviews at the world junior championships. Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen will have all the necessary background info.” Would have hoped for a little better reasoning than this, especially letting us know that our GM will have all the necessary background info, something I would have assumed would go without saying as this hardly gets me excited when that’s the best words you can use to describe a player.
One from Draftsite and one from Bleacher Report both have your Union and Blue addressing need taking D Ivan Provorov from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. Neither have any commentary on the pick so let’s go back to Damien Cook for a redemption. He has Provorov going to the Philadelphia Flyers with the 7th pick and has this to say, “A sloppy back end requires help, and many scouts believe Provorov has the tools to step right into the NHL next season. Not as big as Hanifan, but strong and savvy with the puck.” Much better Damien. I’m not a big fan of drafting need over best available but in the case of Provorov there wouldn’t be an argument. He has flashed a solid all around game showcasing the instincts, size and speed to make a successful transition to the big leagues. We’ll profile him more as we get more in depth with the prospects and closer to the draft.
Today marks the one year anniversary of the Blue Jackets winning their first playoff game. I’ll let the video do the rest of the talking.
One year ago today... #CBJhttps://t.co/kPUFr9eUhd
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 19, 2015
One last thing before we preview the week. Our twitter reporter Stephen Strohminger pointed out last night that former Blue Jacket D James Wisniewski has been a healthy scratch in both of the Anaheim Ducks‘ playoff games so far. Wisniewski was traded to the Ducks near the deadline for a 1 round move up (Jackets gets Ducks’ 2nd rounder and Ducks get Jackets’ 3rd), RW veteran Rene Bourque, who had 4 goals in 8 games for the Jackets (including a game winner against the Calgary Flames) and 22 year old wing prospect William Karlsson, who had 2 points (a goal and an assist) in 3 games of action for the Jackets. Wisniewski was brought on board to help solidify the blueline for the Ducks’ Cup push but so far hasn’t seen any ice. Come join our conversation here and maybe you can be a twitter reporter in an upcoming article.
On the docket for next week (or beyond):
An intro piece about myself, the new team, and plans for the site moving forward.
A look at some of the prospects that could be heading to Cbus.
A nightly recap of takeways the Blue Jackets should be paying attention to in the playoffs.
Has it been 3 Years? A look back at the Rick Nash deal, and so much more.
Your Sunday Funday:
I asked on Twitter, what everyone’s thoughts on Nash were (after he scored a meaningless goal for the New York Rangers). Most seemed indifferent or were able to put their hatred for Nash below their hatred for the Pittsburgh Penguins, until this one. “Nash is garbage and I hope he never wins anything. And while I’m at it, St Louis is a crybaby who also betrayed his team.”
Always ending on a high note.