They are starting out as one of the top teams in the west. They did pick up a couple guys in the offseason but nothing major. Ken Hitchcock is a great defensive minded coach (CBJ is #1 in penalty kill and #1 in Goals allowed in the west) and after having a full offseason to get his system in, is this team for real?
2007-11-01 07:08:57 · 8 answers · asked by Adam B 3 in Sports ➔ Hockey
I did see the between the legs goal! that was amazing!
I agree with everyone that they are playing great and are a legitimate threat. I'm not going to say that they are stanley cup bound or anything like that, but playoffs are within reach and, as a fan, thats all i'm hoping for. I dont think what they are doing is a fluke at all, although i don't see them keeping up the current pace.
2007-11-01 12:25:23 · update #1
No, their great start is not a fluke, and the reason is contained in your question...the Jackets played close to .500 hockey after Hitchcock was hired, and the noticeable difference is, as you stated, that he has had a full offseason and preseason to implement HIS system. More importantly, the team as a whole has bought in to it. Considering that Columbus didn't have their 7th win and 15 points until mid-December last year, they are surprising a LOT of people. They even got some love from Barry Melrose on Sportscenter!
2007-11-01 07:16:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not saying it's a fluke, but they're record against teams that made the playoffs last year is under 0.500 and their record against teams that didn't make the playoffs is 5-1-0.
Beating teams like Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, St. Louis, etc means nothing to me.
They happened to get a win to start the season against a jet-lagged Anaheim team, and have also beaten a depleted Buffalo team. (Yawn)
When they put a string together against better teams, I'll start buying into it.
They have a great coach.
They have some Very good offensive players
They have competent D-man
So, the tools are there. If LeClaire continues to play as well as he has, they could be the surprise of the west, but I need to see them against elevated competition first.
2007-11-01 09:21:15 · answer #2 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not a fluke. People will learn to pay attention to them or suffer the consequences.
They now have a great coach, really good players who have had a summer to learn the system, and a new GM. I'd say things are looking up for them. If they can keep their best players healthy for an entire season, they may get some playoff experience.
2007-11-01 08:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by John K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So as see , it is a actually good thing to be loosing lot of games for few seasons , then you pick as first at several drafts and this is a result of CBJ's management work , plus Ken HItchcock .
2007-11-01 08:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by armen_cz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't call them a top team yet. Hitchcock does have them playing great hockey right now. It also doesn't hurt that Nash is finally healthy. Did you see his between the legs goal last week?
2007-11-01 11:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They may not be a powerhouse at the end of the year but I believe they will make the playoffs. They have had talent for years and now they have a steady system.
2007-11-01 07:45:01 · answer #6 · answered by wawa1234 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
now that hitch has entered the picture the Jackets are looking great. could see them enter as a 4th or 5th seed at years end.
2007-11-01 08:38:56 · answer #7 · answered by hooah89d 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, because LeClaire is the real deal
2007-11-01 09:25:03 · answer #8 · answered by Siggy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋