Author Archive

Steve Mason: The Sophomore Jinx

Posted: 17th November 2009 by Ed Cmar in NHL
Let me begin by stating that I am a huge Steve Mason fan. In fact, I'll even go as far to admit that I have a vanity license plate which refers to Steve Mason. Be that as it may, as much as it pains me to say this, I have to: Steve Mason is in the throws of the dreaded sophomore jinx. A case could have been made for his extremely high ...

Preview: Blue Jackets Vs. Detroit Red Wings

Posted: 11th November 2009 by Ed Cmar in NHL
OFFENSE This is a Detroit team whose firepower has taken some serious hits, both in departed UFAs, as well as with injuries - Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula, Andreas Lilja and, most recently, former CBJ forward, Jason Williams.á The results have been very un-Red Wing-esque - statistically, Detroit ranks 16th in goalsáscored/game, at 2.80 goals/gameá- additionally, they rank near the bottom of the league in goal scoring percentage (goals scored to shots attempted), ...

The Nikkita Filatov Conundrum

Posted: 11th November 2009 by Ed Cmar in NHL
Perhaps the most perplexing development with the Columbus Blue Jackets this season is the lack of playing time given to forward Nikita Filatov. Since the season began, Filatov has seen his Time On Ice (TOI) go from a small amount, to virtually non-existent, to a series of healthy scratchesùthis, predicated by quite an intense discussion with Head Coach Ken Hitchcock during a practice preceding the series of healthy scratchesùto Filatov starting ...