Around these parts, we’ll do our best to give you everything you need to know about the Columbus Blue Jackets. We’ll also fill you in on the stories you may not have heard about (or those you didn’t think you need to know about), the social media buzz around the league, along with a few random nuggets for good measure.
Think of it as your morning coffee with a shot of Blue Jackets talk.
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO "HMMM": When the Buffalo Sabres fired both GM Tim Murray and head coach Dan Bylsma last week, speculation spread quickly about who could be on owner Terry Pegula's short list for his 13th hockey regime since taking over. That's an exaggeration, but man, the Sabres are paying a TON of people to not work for them right now.
The GM job has garnered a lot of attention, and recently, a familiar name has been thrown into the ring. Blue Jackets assistant GM Bill Zito, the former successful player agent, has been linked to the job by now two sources. First, the Buffalo News mentioned him on its list of candidates and on Tuesday, ESPN anchor and relatively-well-connected hockey guy John Buccigross doubled down on the Zito-to-Buffalo talk.
Interesting job with loads of interesting folks. Bill Zito is another one. A "builder" which is what the Sabres need to finish the job. https://t.co/2lFjknhB3E
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) April 25, 2017
THY SEATS ARE WARMING: After the Blackhawks were unceremoniously swept (well, for them) by the Nashville Predators in the first round, the Hot Take Express officially left the station.
First there were rumors of coach Joel Quenneville being in trouble. Yes, the guy with three Stanley Cup rings in the last six years. There have been rumblings of an unsettled relationship between Quenneville and upper management for a while now, but instead, GM Stan Bowman stepped in and fired assistant coach -- and Quenneville's good friend -- Mike Kitchen. It's a bit warm under the collar in Chicago right now, and on Tuesday, the Blackhawks went a step further and fired AHL coach Ted Dent, who apparently went off the reservation and texted roster gripes to his players. Yeesh.
JOEY IS VIBIN': Ryan Johansen had a big task ahead of him in the first round of the playoffs. He would likely be spending most of his shifts against Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, who had a slow start to the year but really turned it on in March and April. Being the No. 1 center means more than just putting up points, and Johansen knew he needed to hold his own (and more) against Toews if the Predators were going to advance.
"I knew I was going to have a great challenge and I was going to be looked at," Johansen said. "Knowing that I played solid against Toews and got the job done versus him, why can’t I do that against anyone?"
Johansen impressed coach Peter Laviolette and GM David Poile with his rounded performance in Nashville's four-game sweep. If they're going any further, Johansen will need to be even better.
ICYMI: Mel Pearson, a 20-plus year assistant at Michigan under the recently-retired Red Berenson, was tabbed to succeed the legend as the Wolverines' next head coach. Rumor has it that Cleveland Monsters head coach John Madden, a Michigan alum, may be considered to join Pearson's staff as an assistant according to Buccigross. The Blue Jackets have not commented on or denied the report, but this is something that should play out in the next few weeks ... John Tortorella has his detractors and those who believe he's a hardened old-school guy, and to some extent, they're right - but that's not to say he can't adopt some of the new school ... Sergei Bobrovsky is going to get a break (finally) and won't be playing for Team Russia at the upcoming World Championships ... with perhaps some uncertainty at the center position (depending on Sam Gagner's status, for one) the playoff performance of top prospect Pierre-Luc Dubois is good news for the Blue Jackets.
Follow 1st Ohio BatteryFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
