Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: Center Ice Online Working?
Previous entry: Deep Diggers Unite In Attempt To Actually Lower Standards
Hail To The BJ
by IwoCPO on 09/18/07 at 03:34 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.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Tags: Fellow+Bloggers,
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 04:12 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 Washington, DC on 09/18/07 at 04:16 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 04:26 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 Washington, DC on 09/18/07 at 04:27 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 04:43 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 04:46 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 05:27 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 05:27 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 05:29 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 19 on 09/18/07 at 05:44 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 08:02 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 08:10 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 08:21 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 08:35 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 09:39 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 11:14 AM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
LB: Wings Promenade Through Edmonton
GDT - Game #70: Red Wings at Oilers (9:30)
LB: Do We Have Clearance For A Game Of Critical Importance, Clarence? Roger, Roger
GDT - Game #69: Red Wings at Flames (9:30)
Only Two Weeks Left To Get Your Pimp Hats
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome:
Check the latest NHL odds at the Internet’s most trusted online sportsbook
Canadian players can also bet on NHL games at the Canadian sports betting site
A2Y Stuff
-----------------------------
Wanna Feel Smart?
Does confusion make you sad? When you read words like "enigma" and phrases like "Thanks Gary. Ass", do you wonder why mean people speak in languages you don't understand? Fret no longer friend! The A2Y Glossary will bring you great joy and enlightenment.
-----------------------------
How Others View The A2Y 19
"Like them or hate them, it's not a good idea to start a battle with "the 19" and the Chief. 'Nuff said."
--Astute reader at Dater's All Things Avs
"Hell, I guarantee the content co-opters at Abel to Yzerman were about to link this article under the heading “Bitter Blues Fans” again right up until they just read that last half-sentance. Thanks but no thanks, you Kukla hangers-on."
--St. Louis Game Time
"I realize it’s the slow summer season, but can this guy tone down the tough-guy histrionics? His posts are fatiguing on an otherwise excellent site."
--A2Y Fan, Eternal_Fields
"I constantly marvel at how Bill (IwoCPO) and his disciples at Abel To Yzerman can be so pompous and full of themselves throughout every regular season, but come playoff time they collapse into wavering puddles of stress and nervousness as they anxiously await the impending and unavoidable collapse of the Red Wings in the post-season."
--Mile High Hockey
"I hate them because they are better than us. Of all the frigging teams…"
--In The Cheap Seats
"It's just a shame that the most classless, uneducated, lowbrow fanbase in the league gets this sweep. Red Wing fans don't deserve their team."
--Thhom
"I really don’t care what fans or bloggers think."
--Drew Sharp
"Why is it you Detroit fans are still so classless when you have such a classy hockey team, with such a professional GM and gentlemen players? I understand that the author of this blog is a manner-less cad, but the rest of you should be better."
--A2Y Fan, Jeff Beaumont
"Have you ever *read* A2Y? Its the most opinionated, juvenile stuff i've read."
--Paul Nicholson
"I actually like the Detroit team and have a sh&% load of respect for them, but their fans are the biggest douches next to Canadians."
--KStewy, PensBlog Commenter
"Just when it looks like we have bottomed out, the 19 hit a new low."
-A2Y legend, Hockeytown Todd
"And for the record, I don't hate the Red Wings, I hate their fans."
--Douche Bag at Puck Daddy who isn't Wyshynski
"You’re nothing but a douchebag ****, c3po. Go f**k yourself, and learn something about hockey in the process. Nothing ruins my day more than seeing your byline on the kk page."
--Hector, A2Y fan, statesman, Pittsburgh Chapter of Jonas Brothers Fan Club President
"I can just imagine the kindergarten teacher’s reaction when the tyke blurts out 'Mommy says Gary Bettman is a f*cking f*ckface! He wants to give ‘Rosby the bad touch.' ”
--Bella, of the 19
"A2Y is what other blog sites aspire to be when they fail to grow up: intelligent immaturity for the juvenile genius set”
--Captain Dennis Polonich, of the 19
I dunno, this is all a bit hard to swallow, Chief.
Posted by TeamDub from Toledo on 09/18/07 at 03:57 PM ET