BOOM and Gloom

Episode 29.  All right, maybe I spoke too soon last episode when the Jackets were mired in a slump.  But they have emerged and have cranked out 3 straight wins for the first time since 2022.  It has seemed since I started this podcast I have talked mostly about the "gloom" and not enough about the "boom."  There just hadn't been much reason to do so.  But I am pleased to say that in this episode I have plenty of positive things to say.  This season has been very entertaining so far!  I'll talk about the Jackets' recent "success,"  the return and emergence of Kent Johnson, and the status of prospect Cayden Lindstrom...amongst other things.  

When the Jackets started the season with moderate success, I (along with other fans) said that something felt different about this team.  New coach, new GM, new system, new direction.  But now, mired in a 4-game losing streak, it kind of feels like the Blue Jackets of old.  In this episode I'll talk about this feeling as well as some observations and notes about our beloved CBJ.  

Warning: I recorded this while recovering from strep throat.  I sound a little groggy!  We are 6 games into the 2024-2025 Blue Jackets season and the injuries have hit hard...again.  In this episode, I talk about the injuries and why I the only word I can think of to describe the Blue Jackets' penchant for bad luck is "unfair."  I'll talk about some of the things that have impressed me so far this season as well as some of things that haven't.  

The 2024-2025 season is upon us!  It has been an interesting summer to say the least.  Glad Blue Jackets hockey is back.  In this episode I'll discuss the current CBJ roster and what I expect this season.  

Another rare summer episode!  I wanted to record and post this episode yesterday but Spectrum had to fix an Internet outage in my neighborhood.  No Internet all evening.  Patrik Laine was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with a second round pick for Jordan Harris.  I'll talk about why I think this is a significant win for the franchise.  

After waiting...and waiting...and waiting for the Jackets to hire a new coach, they have finally done so which means I can finally publish another episode.  Lots of nuggets to discuss from the past three weeks...
- Jackets hire Dean Evason as head coach *Note: I had no idea he had coached Minnesota for so long.  So in this episode I reference him being their coach for a very short amount of time.  Sorry for the inaccuracy!
- NWA needs repairs and upgrades
-Boqvist signs with Florida
-Jack Johnson is back
- Jackets projected to only be 7 points better than last season and finish with the 3rd worst record
-Marchenko still not signed
-Pascal Vincent gets AHL head coaching gig

Lots of CBJ news to talk about in this summer episode:
-Draft results
-Signing of Sean Monahan
-Search for a head coach continues
-Goodbye to some favorite Blue Jackets
-Welcome Steve Mears
-2024-2025 schedule
-Plus some commentary on Utah/Arizona

Episode 22. A bunch of CBJ and non CBJ Topics on the agenda today:
1. Utah's jersey release
2. Utah's possible names
3. The firing of Pascal Vincent
4. Candidates for head coach
5. The looming trade of Patrik Laine
6. Fantilli's new jersey number
7. The Jacket's first round pick in this year's entry draft

The Jackets have a new General Manager and President of Hockey Operations: Don Waddell.  In this episode, I'll break down the hire and discuss the roster and coaching decisions that Waddell will now be in charge of making.

Episode 20: My first ever in-studio guest, CBJ super-fan Caden L., and I talk about the disappointing 2023-24 Columbus Blue Jackets season.  It was full of gloom of course, but we look forward to what lies ahead for the Jackets this summer and next season.  We take a realistic approach in discussing what to expect but also talk about what our guts are telling us we'll see with the new GM and the inevitable changes on the horizon.