Rock Bottom

It's no secret that the Blue Jackets are not a stellar hockey team. I mean, they've played ten full seasons in the NHL and have only made the playoffs once. That's not really great. This year was (again) supposed to be "THE" year. The year where it all changes. Where we become a legitimate hockey team. Where greatness happens.

I think someone forgot to tell that to the players.

So far, eight games into the season, the Jackets have amassed a total of one point. ONE. Out of a possible 16. They are 0-7-1. That, my friends, is a sucky record. Sure, other teams have had losing streaks such as this. Last season, the Washington Capitals lost nine games in a row and they made the playoffs. They also have Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, and Brooks Laich. For the Jackets to even have a chance at the playoffs, they'd have to win at least 45 games. Considering they can't even win one, 45 seems completely unreachable.

On the bright side, since they've crapped down their legs so early in the season, I won't be sitting on the edge of my seat during the games, thinking that the outcome will matter. When Steve and I go to the game in Pittsburgh, it will be a no-brainer for me to root for the Pens (as we know I have issues with this). When Sarah comes to visit and we go to the Flames v. CBJ game, one of us is bound to leave happy (though it wouldn't surprise me if both teams find a way to lose.). And even if by some miracle, the Blue Jackets turn their act around, I'll know that it's just for show. They aren't going to make the playoffs this season. Right now, I wonder if they're considering playing for the top draft pick....which, given their luck, they'd lose in the lottery anyway.

Clearly for the Blue Jackets, they've hit rock bottom. I mean, who gives up two goals to Ottawa in the last 30 seconds of a game? That's THE most embarrassing thing the CBJ have ever done. And they have had some doozies. I'm surprised GM Scott Howson hasn't made a trade, but then again, who wants any of our players? (Nash and Umberger are not allowed to move. I say so. Everyone else is fair game.). I kind of wish Howson would get the boot, but I think the problems go deeper than that. Mike Priest is a joke of a President. He doesn't know hockey. Maybe it's time for the front-office to change, seeing as how all of the top folks in power have been here since the start....and clearly have nothing to show for it.

So where do we go from here, a whole eight games into the season?Fortunately for me, there are 29 other teams in the NHL to care about. I always have the Penguins, and Sidney Crosby is due to be back in the lineup...soon. I've considered choosing a new, obscure team to root for, such as the Carolina Hurricanes. I mean, they have a Staal. I could start a collection of Staal jerseys: Mark, Eric, Jordan, and one day Justin. That'd be fun. I'll still watch the occasional CBJ game, but it won't be required viewing. And I'll still write about hockey. Because we all know that I can't live without it.