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Hail To The BJ
by IwoCPO on 09/18/07 at 02:34 PM ET
Comments (18)
Previews of the Division That Gary Built return today with a look at our once and future rivals, the Columbus Blue Jackets. I’m no expert on the BJ’s. In fact I wasn’t even aware of their existence until late in life. But now that I’ve found them, I recognize their value. I’m sure you do as well.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it now…the better the BJ’s, the better off we all are. We, as a fan base, can only benefit from their improvement, especially if Gary Bettman plans on giving the BJ’s to us 8 times per year.
What…and you expected me to somehow mature or something? Please.
And my unreasonable expectation? Well, if some players have break out seasons, others in contract years play to get the big bucks, there’s some better luck with injuries, and the team just all-around plays over their heads (a la the 2000-01 original Blue Jackets), they could surprise a few teams, and maybe sneak into that #8 spot. But there are a lot of ‘ifs’ in that, so we’ll call that my dream projection for 2007-08.
Unreasonable? Not if they play the rest of the league the way they play the Wings. Every game is tight and they’re no longer the pushovers they once were. They hate them some Wings in Columbus and the rivalry, eventually, will be there.
I don’t expect the Blue Jackets to make the playoffs, but I expect that they can pull things together and make some semblance of a run. The Central Division will be more competitive this year, with Chicago and St. Louis both improving. Nashville is not expected to be as dominant this year, and Detroit is Detroit. It will be a difficult road to hoe, but with all the talk being about how much tougher this squad will be I think it should be fun to watch.
Both preview are excellent. I pulled out the generalized statements about the possibility of overall success. Read the the rest of both to get a better feel for what’s in store from Columbus this year.
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Comments
All you bloggers. Please bear in mind that I’ve known this idiot since he was 15 years old. Some might call us best friends (this is how best friends refer to one another). Anyway, I’m happy to see he’s found a passion, but remember he’s from Florida and grew up watching the Dodgers play spring training ball in Vero Beach. I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not he should be heralded as a hockey expert. But give Bill a break, he’s trying.
Go Jackets.
Posted by Buss from columbus on 09/18/07 at 03:12 PM ET
Ah yes. Worlds finally collide. Just as you all give me a break for “trying” give Buss a break for switching allegiances from the Wings to the BJ.
No surprise really. Tool.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 09/18/07 at 03:16 PM ET
I wish Keith Gave had a blog. Might have some interesting content to ponder.
Posted by Buss from columbus on 09/18/07 at 03:26 PM ET
Don’t get me started on Gave, Buss. He’s a midseason topic. I have to work my way up to that.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 09/18/07 at 03:27 PM ET
I always expect nothing but the best from A2Y, and this lead-in does nothing to disappoint. Looking forward to a long season (one way or another), IwoCPO.
Posted by Drew from Hilliard, OH on 09/18/07 at 03:43 PM ET
Please Drew, take a long, hard look at who you’re praising here.
Posted by Buss from columbus on 09/18/07 at 03:46 PM ET
I’m tired of people trying to shove BJ’s down my throat. Enough already!
Posted by ColdWar on 09/18/07 at 04:27 PM ET
They’d be easier to hate in Cleveland.
I know they are determined to shed the “soft” label they have had. Hitchcock has no intention of having a poorly conditioned, weak-minded team on the ice, and it sounds as though all the players have taken note of that fact. It bodes well for them if they do play tougher (although they have to do that every game, not just Detroit).
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 09/18/07 at 04:27 PM ET
I’m tired of people trying to shove BJ’s down my throat. Enough already!
Poor baby. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 09/18/07 at 04:29 PM ET
Chief: You have to remember that all of your Blog Nation are not as well learned as you. Your statement has really caused me a long pause to think it over:
|“But now that I’ve found them, I recognize their value. I’m sure you do as well.”
The BJ value—probably give the Wings 12 pts. Or maybe—give that freaking traitor Fedorov an ulcer thinking of the all the post season play he has been missing if he would have hung with the team (maybe Kournikova would have hung with a winner too). Perhaps it makes the Wings angry thinking of all of the other short road trips if they were playing in the Eastern Conference. Maybe it gives Wing fan a nice short road trip (but why would you want to go to Columbus??)??
I have to admit I’m puzzled Chief—just what value do the BJ’s add??
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 09/18/07 at 04:44 PM ET
I have to admit I’m puzzled Chief—just what value do the BJ’s add?
Deep, selfish satisfaction?
A sound sleep?
Posted by TeamDub from Toledo on 09/18/07 at 07:02 PM ET
Okay, O.T. - is this damn preseason game available ANYWHERE?! Radio, internet, TV?
NHL.com radio is all gaffled up, Center Ice online same thing…
Boldly we rocket into the 18th century!
THANKS GARY! GREAT JOB!
Posted by TeamDub from Toledo on 09/18/07 at 07:10 PM ET
The answer, Dub, is no. It’s not available anywhere. No radio, no TV. But it doesn’t matter becuase it was mostly the scrubs that went to Minnesota. The rest of them stayed in Traverse City for a 4 on 4.
Posted by garlicdunk from RO on 09/18/07 at 07:21 PM ET
Well, not *all* scrubs.
Per NHL.com scoreboard - 1-0 Wings on a goal by The Mule. Datsyuk is listed as +1/
Posted by TeamDub from Toledo on 09/18/07 at 07:35 PM ET
I personally like the home @ home BJ’s. There is nothing like getting the BJ at home, and then the next night getting the road BJ. The road BJs look a little different with different uniforms, and always seem to be a little better then the home BJs.
Posted by millsz on 09/19/07 at 08:39 AM ET
Ah, yes. Nice to see the email trail carry over to the blog. Fitting that the BJ fan is off to San Fran. Conrad’s on the blog.
Posted by It's time for the Leo's and Wings on 09/20/07 at 10:14 AM ET
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I dunno, this is all a bit hard to swallow, Chief.
Posted by TeamDub from Toledo on 09/18/07 at 02:57 PM ET