The Second Annual tUB Awards: Executive of the Year

Again we continue the trend of last year – we can’t really open this award to too many folks. Current Blue Jackets executives basically include John Davidson (JD) and Jarmo Kekalainen as both Craig Patrick and Scott Howson are no longer in the fold. But that doesn’t mean the team here at Union Blue can’t be creative. So without further ado, your Columbus Blue Jackets Executive of the year is….

WINNER: John Davidson

Gregin120 (1): I’m going with JD again. I don’t think Jarmo has been able to put his stamp on this team yet. In the meantime, it is JD who has had more of an impact in terms of changing the culture within the organization as well as the dynamic within the fan base. JD said he would build things “brick by brick” and that is exactly what he is doing. His honesty and direct approach with the fan base is refreshing. He is exactly what this organization needed. I’m almost ready to build him a statue on the plaza.

AlisonL (1): JD has the rare gift to talk up CBJ hockey to any kind of audience he has. The day one season ticket holder, the individual who step foot in Nationwide Arena for the first time, the Tim Horton’s employee…he’s a full on ambassador for the team to the city and also to the league. It’s amazing how the narratives change with someone like him at the helm. I’m still waiting ot see Jarmo make his mark – he’s got some mighty fine prospect selections under his belt but we’ll need to wait a little longer to see some Jarmo fingerprints on nationwide ice.

CBJProspects (1a):  JD even though I’m not sure what JD did this season other than appear in FSO commercials.

Tie For Second: EVERYBODY ELSE:

CBJProspects: Jarmo Kekalainen (1). despite this team still being mostly assembled by Scott Howson. Jarmo signed Nathan Horton acquired parts that helped the team in the playoffs, along with drafting the players that led the WHL and OHL playoffs in scoring.

CBJProspects: Assistant GM Chris MacFarland / Bruce Landon (2): They built back to back AHL division champs even if they still need to work on getting deeper in the playoffs.

CBJProspects: ex Penguins GM Ray Shero (3): for a draft day deal that got the Pens goalie Tristan Jarry who was lights out in the WHL playoffs and got the CBJ defensive defenseman Dillon Heatherington and got the CBJ back into the third round to select 50 goal scorer Oliver Bjorkstrand.

TheCoachUB Scott Howson (1): Last year JD won, and that made sense. There were culture issues around the organization that needed fixing. Those changes have been done, and a new culture is in place. If we then turn to the on-ice product, this award belongs to former GM (and near new-Canucks GM, but still current Oilers assistant GM) Scott Howson. He built this team. Blake Comeau, Corey Tropp, Jack Skille. and Nick Schultz are the only two pickups from Jarmo that saw ice time in the playoffs. That’s three spare parts and a fourth liner. Howson took heat for being too patient, and missing on his big swings. Well Jarmo hasn’t been patient, and already has two big misses. Gaborik was clearly a huge miss, and the Horton signing hasn’t been so hot so far (although too early to write off completely). Add in the Boll contract, and the jury is still out on Jarmo.

So there you go – I guess that means we have a lot of good captains helping steer the ship. Do you agree? Disagree? Sound off in the comments. Coming next this week is our pick for the Ted Lindsay Award – the most valuable player ot the team…I know you can’t wait to hear who we pick!