AGRI Biz

In response to the NHL trade deadline day, it was back to status quo for the Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ). That means the CBJ were—as they have been in eight of their previous nine years— sellers rather than buyers. This mode is the cumulative effect of seasons lost. In this particular season, it is the most frustrating of all prior seasons, as expectations were at their highest, given that the CBJ ...

With the Winter Olympics now starting, it will give some struggling teams a well-deserved break. Here are the last power rankings, before the Winter Olympic break, as of Feb. 15, 2010. á 1. Washington Well, the streak of 14 straight had to end sometime, right? Sure, they lost three in a rowùtwo of which were in overtime (OT)ùbut their win streak was something to behold. Hopefully the Olympic break will allow goaltender Semyon Varlamov ...

It was bound to happen, sooner or later, given the Columbus Blue Jackets were playing their third consecutive NHL division leader, but interim coach Claude Noel experienced his first lost as a Blue Jackets coach, by a score of 4-3, against the prolific, talented and physical Vancouver Canucks. A total of 16,564 loyal fans braved the winter elements to witness another impressive, solid performance by the Columbus Blue Jackets, albeit ...

I know this is a little late – I was out of town, visiting my relatives - as Kurt Cobain once said, “All apologies” – but, here’s my analysis on the trade the Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ) made, earlier this week.   BTW, isn’t it always the case that all the earth-shattering – well, for Columbus, Ohio, this would qualify as earth-shattering – things occur when you’re out of town?   Well, the free-falling ...

Happy New Year to all! á Big day, tomorrow, with the NHL's Winter Classic game between Boston and Philadelphia. á With that, here are the power rankings for the week ending January 1, 2010: á 1. ChicagoùWinners of seven of their last nine games, the 'Hawks do it with offenseùleading the league in shot differentialùas well as defenseùleading the league in blocked shots and second in the league in goals against.á á 2. New JerseyùAlso winners of seven ...

As I've mentioned, before, I have been a huge Ken Hitchcock fan.á I used to have a vanity license plate, which referred to him. á I also remember what the Columbus Blue Jackets were, before Hitch arrived.á They were a team with no direction, no identity, no heart and no glimpse of hope. á If there was one coach who could possibly take this team towards the playoffs, and continue to do so, it ...

So sorry for not providing the power rankings, earlier this weekùsomething about a big holiday, going on. á With that, here are the power rankings for the week ending December 25: á 1. New Jersey á Winners of nine of their last ten games, they find ways to win, even when record-breaking goaltender Martin Brodeur gets pulled, against Atlanta.á Talk about a rebound effort for Brodeurùcareer shutout No. 104ùCongrats!á á 2.á Pittsburgh A record of 12-3-1, ...

As mentioned in my last article, there's nothing tougher than to write about a team who's playing absolutely terrible; however, as a favor to a friend, who does this for his site (something about his wife having a babyùexcuses, excuses), I've decided to analyze tonight's game. So, here's the backdrop for the game. During the 2008-2009 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ) owned the Colorado Avalanche (Avs), sweeping them in all four ...

Sure, it's getting to look a lot like XMAS, but it's also getting to look like it's separating "pretenders from contenders" time. With that, here are the power rankings for the week ending Dec. 18: 1. New Jersey - Winners of eight of their last 10 games, the Devils are being buoyed, not only by the return of several (previously) ailing vets (Niedermayer, Oduya, and Pandolfo) but by the performances of ...

Well, I guess I didn't offend too many folks, with my first ever power rankings. Then again, smarter readers, who know my level of hockey knowledge, probably scoffed and did the smart thing: they chose to omit reading it. Well then, silence, in my world, means acceptance, so, I'm back for another go at it. Here are the power rankings for the week ending December 11th: á 1. Washington No Ovie? No problem. Ovie? Big ...