CBJ Roundtable

Bloggin' ain't easy, but it's necessary.

There are a lot of questions regarding our favorite NHL team as the new season begins. With that in mind, many of your favorite CBJ bloggers have teamed up to present a unique and (hopefully) entertaining way to bring you, our dear readers, our collective thoughts on the burning questions of the day. Different blogs will be posting different questions and answers on different days. Today The Cannon has the first installment. Be sure to check back all week as different sites will be posting new installments. As always, please join in the fun by posting your thoughts and comments in the section below.

Special thanks to Matt of The Cannon for putting this Blog-o-Rama together!

Four Lines Deep - 10.8.10

Sharks at Blue Jackets; Ericsson Globe - Stockholm

3 p.m. (EST); VERSUS (HD)

Man, that was a long off season. But here we are, the vulcanized rubber biscuits are in the freezer, waiting to be dropped on the ice. Season 10 for the CBJ begins today... Carry the Ignited Flag to See it Live!

It's been a long time, loyal readers, and nothing warms the cockles of the heart like sharing our thoughts and opinions about our favorite hockey team. Its good to be back. Let's all hope Steve Mason is back too.

First Line: Matchups on the ice and behind the bench. Word out of Stockholm is that the Sharks will be rolling three scoring lines. These three lines are legit, and could expose a fatal flaw in the recently formed Jackets #2 line of Filatov-Brassard-Voracek. These are three highly talented young players, but none of them are heralded for their defensive acumen. Being responsible for tying up one of those scoring lines for the Sharks could prove to be too much for the Young Guns. Could Arniel need to shuffle things around in the first period of the first game? That on-ice matchup relates directly to Arniel and his career debut at the NHL coaching level. Sharks coach Todd McClellan is experienced and has earned a lot of wins. It will be interesting to watch Arniel and his staff as they match wits with the San Jose staff.

Second Line: So, whats this new "system" all about? All new coaching staff, all new approach to the game. Jackets fans are use to watching a system of hockey that favored 3 offensive players trying to score goals, while the 2 defensemen did little more than keep the puck in the zone. Arniel brings a system that intentionally incorporates those two defensemen into the offensive game plan. It's so crazy, it just might work. Arniel's system asks the defensemen to 1) be more assertive in getting the put out of the defensive zone, and 2) when appropriate feel free to join in the offensive play and help make good things happen. This second part is the tricky one. If the defensmen moves too deep into the offensive zone, it is easy for the other team to get an odd-man rush the other way. So a forward may need to cover for the "pinching" defenseman... now you have a forward playing D, and a defenseman playing offense... it can lead to good and bad things. It is a higher risk, higher reward system than we Jackets fans are use to watching. It could lead to losses, but they will be more enjoyable to watch than in years past.

Third Line: Which Steve Mason will we get? From Rookie Sensation, to Sophomore Death Spiral, Steve Mason has experienced some extreme peaks and valleys. If the CBJ are to have any hope of making a playoff run, Mason will have to be the player he was in his rookie year when he won the Calder Trophy, and challenged for the Vezina. As goes Mason, so go the Jackets.

Fourth Line: Brother, can you spare a match? Year 10 for the franchise... a decade... one playoff appearance resulting in a four game sweep. Is Nash honked off enough to light a fire under the rest of the players? Does he have to do it alone, or will others in the room step up? we saw some fire in the belly of these guys during the playoff run two years ago... last year it wasn't there, even in the beginning. Will the hunger for success propel this team to win games? We'll find out at 3:00 this afternoon.

CannonFest 2010 - Reminder!

Don't forget that the first annual CannonFest is taking place this Sunday! Come by BW-3s, 968 W Fifth Ave and enjoy a cold one, some tasty wings, and lots of Jackets talk with the whole CBJ blogging community!

Be sure to print out the coupons below for deals on food and drinks, plus the chance to win a kick-ass beer tube.

SEE YOU THERE!

Design-a-Mask Competition

Sorry for the late notice, but I just saw this email in an inbox I rarely check. If you have been looking for a way to combine your artistic skilllz with your love for the CBJ, here you go!



DESIGN OUR GOALIES' MASKS - Or At Least Have a Chance to Win a Blue Jackets Third Jersey

Hey Blue Jackets season ticket holder! It is still not too late to submit your designs for the goalie masks that will be worn by Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon during the upcoming 2010-11 season. This once in a lifetime chance to make your mark on the Blue Jackets 10th season is available to ticket holders with full season, 20-game, 10-game and 6-game packages, as well as their spouses and children. Not the artistic type, no problem. Just send in your idea as to what should be included on the mask and if chosen, each goaltender's artist will take care of the rest.Upon receiving all entries, Steve and Mathieu will each select one winning design that will adorn his mask for the 2010-11 season. Following the season, each will autograph his game-worn mask and personally present it to their respective fan designers.In addition, all those who enter the contest are eligible to win a Blue Jackets third jersey, which will be introduced during the upcoming season, autographed by both goaltenders.

Complete contest details, including a printable mask design template can be found at the Season Ticket Holders page on BlueJackets.com or by CLICKING HERE.All entries must be received by Friday, July 16.All entries must be mailed to:Blue Jackets Mask Design ContestNationwide Arena200 W. Nationwide Blvd.Columbus, OH 43215

CannonFest 2010

Doldrums of Summer got you down? Need a hockey fix to get you through baseball season? Come to CannonFest and pretend like the puck drops tomorrow!

Join local bloggers and other fans as we gather to discuss all things CBJ. You can even RSVP on facebook... so you know this is a huge deal!

R.I.P. Mr. Probert

Bob Probertt died of an apparent heart attack today. Our thoughts are with his family. There was a lot more to Bob than his fighting prowess, but here are a few clips of what he did best. Godspeed Mr. Probert.

It's a Center!

I'll admit I nearly fell out of my chair when Howson selected someone that was not a defenseman with offensive skill. While I thought it was an interesting thought on Michael Arace's part when he mentioned Ryan Johansen in a recent commentary in the Dispatch, I was convinced the Jackets would take Gormley or Fowler. That said, the Jackets organization needs a play making center, and that is what Howson got. Aaron Portzline reports that Howson did try to trade down with the idea of taking Johansen in the 7-8-9 area, but couldn't make it happen. That he took the player he wanted with the pick he had says a lot about how highly the organization regarded Johansen.

The editors here at JR will do an Around the Boards feature in the next couple of days to get everyone's opinion on the entire draft, but for now here is an interview with Johansen moments after being drafted. Carry the Flag.

Puck Daddy chats with Ryan Johansen, No. 4 in 2010 NHL Draft @ Yahoo! Video