Bethany's Hockey Rants

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Rook and UFA Season!

by Bethany on 07/01/09 at 01:12 AM ET
Comments (2)

So much has happened with the Blue Jackets, and I promise to get all caught up this week as my life has decided to calm down for a bit. Free agency starts tomorrow and there are a few items of business to take care of before I hop into that mess.

First of all the Blue Jackets have been blessed with a new goaltending coach, David Rook. Steve Mason of course is thrilled to have Rook apart of the organization.

“If I’m playing poorly, he will not hesitate to tell me to pick up my game,” Mason said. “When things aren’t going well, he has been able to get me out of the rut.”

That’s a good thing for the Jackets. Last season as Mason struggled to find his form, and having a goaltenders coach who has a history with Mason will certainly help.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dave to our coaching staff,” said Howson. “He is an experienced coach who helped Steve Mason become a prolific goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League, which has led to his success in the National Hockey League. We feel that Dave can work with the goaltenders in our system and take them to a higher level.”

It makes me even more excited for the coming season. Scott Howson made the right decision when he brought Rook on. He has the experience, history, and well, we needed a coach. Elderbroom never really appeared like he fit with the Jackets and with the struggles that Malarchuk has gone through throughout his entire life- I think it’s best that he focuses on himself.

Onto UFA season...we have about 12 hours to go here.

The biggest bit of news is that the key to the Blue Jackets franchise - Rick Nash - has met with Howson.

Nash can be signed beginning at noon tomorrow. I don’t know that a deal will be done immediately, but certainly one by the beginning of training camp. Nash has been the face of this franchise for years. He will continue to be a huge part of this franchise for years to come.

Next, the Jackets have decided to part ways with Malhotra. A deal could not get done, and so tomorrow at noon, he will hit the market along with our other UFA’s. I think it will be nice to get new bodies into the room.

Also not coming back because they were not extended qualifying offers Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Jiri Novotny, Kyle Wharton, Trevor Hendrikx, Petr Pohl, John Vigilante and Jon Landry. You know, I am a little sad to see Tollefsen go. Specifically I will miss when he does things like this:

So, tomorrow at noon is when it all begins. Some new players, a trade here and there, some key draft picks, and this team just keeps getting better and better.

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Tags: Columbus+Blue+Jackets, David+Rook, Ole-Kristian+Tollefsen, Rick+Nash,

Comments

I too will miss Tolly :(

Posted by elisa on 07/03/09 at 06:22 PM ET

I think the Blue Jackets should move. There are certainly other cities stupid enough to subsidize this mediocre team. Hamilton, Ontario comes to mind.

Take a few more back to Canada while you’re at it. Weak franchises like Phoenix, Nashville, and Florida, can pack it up too. Besides Hamilton, I think Quebec, Winnipeg and Regina would love to have a hockey team.

I’d rather flush public money down the toilet than give food stamps to the McConnell family.

Posted by Get Out of Town Blue Jackets from Central Ohio on 08/22/09 at 01:00 PM ET