Each week on Wednesday we will be answering questions from you, the readers! You are always welcome to tweet at us or send us an email at [email protected] for your mailbag questions.
Let’s get this started!
https://twitter.com/Zack_THW/status/651499913684066304
The question that every mailbag will be asked until the end of time. Our answer? It is not a sandwich. Any other thought is indefensible and possibly a crime against humanity.
@BuckeyeStHockey When you go to see hockey at Nationwide, what are some of your typical pre-game rituals, or things you like to do?
— Matt (@zekebud) October 7, 2015
I (Sam) don’t have many rituals before seeing a game. Normally I do grab some food down in the Short North and find myself grabbing a beer at R Bar when I am not having to write about the game afterwards. You can’t go wrong with any of the food or refreshment spots down in the Arena District.
Editor’s note: those of us in Columbus also follow a similar routine – there’s so much to choose from around the Arena that it’s a no-brainer to visit local places before any matchup. Although, if it’s what we do every night, does that make it a ritual? Stay tuned.
@BuckeyeStHockey Lets get serious. Who in your mind is currently the most overrated and underrated players on CBJ and why?
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) October 6, 2015
Some real life hockey talk, we’re loving it!
Overrated? Hmm.
Many in the analytics community point towards Jack Johnson but the player that may be moving towards overrated could be Fedor Tyutin. Tyutin has put in many good years with the Jackets and has, at times, been the top defensemen on the team. Last year though, he saw a drop in production (3-12-15, 67 GP) that was nowhere near his best effort as a Jacket (34 points in 2008-09) and was lower than the two previous seasons for the 32 year-old Russian who notched 4-18-22 in 2012-13 and 4-22-16 in 2013-14. The drop could certainly be the impact of injuries that impacted the line up night in and night out, but as the highest paid defenseman on the Columbus roster ($4.5MM through 2017-18 via General Fanager), Tyutin is definitely a player to watch this year as he tries to rebound into the possession wunderkind he has been.
Underrated?
I would point to Cody Goloubef. While he only had nine points last season, he was a strong possession player who filled in admirably on the bottom pairing for the CBJ. In fact, of all Jackets’ defensemen who played 15 games or more, Goloubef earned the highest ES Corsi For at 50.17% (via War on Ice). Fans and onlookers alike are worried about the defense but Goloubef could be a diamond in the rough for the team who may need him to fill in if one or more defensemen go down with an injury.
@buckeyesthockey With 12 games in October, what would be considered a successful start?
— Jared Ferrell (@Jared_Ferrell) October 6, 2015
Any slow start from the Jackets would be unwelcome for a team that hasn’t started off strong in quite some time. A win at the beginning of the regular season counts the exact same as one at the end in terms of standings points, but those early victories can make a big difference in team momentum and league perception.
Taking a look at the schedule, seven wins is doable and would be a major upgrade over previous years. It shouldn’t be too unattainable considering it is only one game over .500.
@BuckeyeStHockey first coach fired this year?
— Daneel (@0hioan) October 7, 2015
Tough to say since we don’t have any insider knowledge but if you take a look at coaches who have high expectations and little to show for it in their tenure, a couple spring to mind. The first being Mike Yeo with the Minnesota Wild. Another slow start from the capped out team would spell trouble for the young coach. The second might be Lindy Ruff of the Dallas Stars. He has an offense that any coach would salivate over but does he have a team that can succeed in the rough and tumble Western Conference?
@BuckeyeStHockey @Sam_Blazer True or False: #CBJ should go with a Saad-Joey-Folingo line
— Fletcher Keel (@FletchTopper) October 7, 2015
TRUE! For now. You can’t deny the chemistry that took place during the preseason and we don’t see any way this team doesn’t have them as the top line on opening night. Foligno could be moved somewhere else in the lineup later in the season as he is playing on his off wing; however, Foligno did show his versatility last year, as he played center at times, so we’re not too worried about his usage in the lineup.
Until next week!
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