The Columbus Blue Jackets are all but eliminated from this year's playoff chase.
With 11 games remaining the Jackets sit 7 points out of the 8th seat. They have 4 remaining games against the Detroit Red Wings (and 3 of their next 4), 2 against the Nasvhille Preds, 2 against the Chicago Blackhawks and 1 against the Calgary Flames. So that's 9 of the 11 remaining games against teams higher than them in the standings.
Um yeah.....insert fork into playoff hopes here.
The Jackets would have to go some 9-1-1 to maybe have a chance to sneak in. Ain't gonna happen.
On a brighter note this is the longest into the season that the Jackets could even speak the word "playoffs" without cracking a smile. They've hung in there at least 2 months longer than any previous version before them.
At the end of the year they will have finally taken some needed steps that most expansion teams took in their 3rd or 4th years. They have been competitive in 90% of their games. They've found an identity as a "defense first" team who creates offense from checking. They've certainly identified who is part of the future and who, if not gone already, are part of the past.
Some key achievements:
1. Should break the record for points in a season
2. Should break the record for most road wins in a season
3. Career best years for cornerstones Nash, Zherdev and Leclaire
4. Breakout years for depth guys Boll and Murray
Unfortunately though its time, once again, to look towards next year. There is no bigger offseason in terms of impact than this one will be.
During what was a very inactive offseason in terms of player movement most fans gave the team a pass after former GM Doug Maclean was let go new GM Scott Howson was brought in. It was also coach Ken Hitchcock's first full season with this group. Although everyone most certainly wanted success most were realistic and knew this would be an evaluation year as Howson was afforded time to analyze the hand he was dealt and allow a majority of MacLean's contracts to expire before he could really put his stamp on the team.
Most thought, 2008-2009 was the year and that certainly has not changed.
Howson's honeymoon is officially over come Sunday, April 6th 2008 after the Jackets play their final game of the campaign of the 2007-2008 season.
He MUST make some big time moves this offseason. He'll have the money and assets to do so. He's set himself up well in that manner. There are no ifs, ands or buts here -- if this team wants any kind of fan support moving forward the time is now.
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