BOOM and Gloom

Summer is in full swing and we have some Jackets news to discuss! In this episode I talk about: 1. Zach Werenski wins the Norris Trophy 2. The possibility of Dylan Larkin playing in Columbus next season 3. The possibility of *gasp* trading Zach Werenski 4. Mike Babcock?  Yes, Mike Babcock. 5. Mason Marchment 6. How will Jackets games be televised next season? ...and a few other tidbits of CBJ news...

The Blue Jackets have locked up Charlie Coyle, signing him to a six year contract.  What else could and should be done to get this team back to the playoffs next season?  In this episode, I'll pretend that I take over the General Manager duties of the Jackets and discuss what I would do.  From players to coaches to even jerseys, I'll discuss the changes I would make.  

I listen to several Blue Jackets podcasts.  On one I really enjoy (Cannon Balls with Michael Arace), his crew gave the Blue Jackets grades based on their 2025-26 season performance.  As a teacher, I was very intrigued and thought that I should take a stab at grading the Jackets myself.  So here you go, my player grades for the 2025-26 season...as well as some other tidbit of CBJ news!

Want to hear a guy rant about the Blue Jackets' disappointing season for an hour?  Well you are in the right place.  The 2025-26 season is in the books and ended with, you guessed it, the Jackets missing out on the playoffs yet again.  In this episode I'll talk about what happened (this time) and what needs to be done going forward to maybe, somehow, finally become a playoff team again.  

Misery loves company.  That is the purpose of this episode.  If you are a frustrated Blue Jackets fan like me right now, join me and lets commiserate together.  I don't have any profound insights or perspective today.  You won't come away with any new Blue Jackets knowledge.  Everything I have to say, you probably already know.  You'll just know that you aren't the only one feeling the frustration...

I admit it freely.  I was wrong about a lot this season.  The Jackets are currently fighting for a playoff spot and making me eat crow...and I am absolutely ok with that!  In this episode I will talk about players I misjudged and where the Jackets currently stand with only a few weeks to go in the season.  

The 2026 trade deadline has passed.  The Blue Jackets find themselves fighting for a playoff spot.  In this episode I'll talk about their trade deadline acquisition of Conor Garland and what it means for the lineup moving forward.  I'll also discuss what I think about the Jackets' chances for making the playoffs (spoiler alert: their not good).  And I'll tell you my thoughts on Dimitri Voronkov's...

The Blue Jackets enter the Olympic break on a hot streak winning 11 of their last 12 games.  I'll talk about what this means for their playoff chances and: 1. Zach Norris as a Norris Trophy Candidate 2. What Don Waddell should do at the trade deadline.   3. The possibility of a Blue Jackets re-brand

In this episode of Boom and Gloom, I will discuss: 1. More on the Dean Evason Firing and Rick Bowness hiring 2. The state of the Jackets playoff hopes 3. What should be done at the trade deadline 4. Mason Marchment's impact 5. Greg Murray's departure and a change I'd like to see (regarding an in-game announcement) 6. The impact of the Jackets' rescheduled game against the Los Angeles Kings  

In a move that shocked the hockey world, the Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason and replaced him with Rick Bowness. In this episode I'll discuss why I am torn about the move.  I'll talk about why I'm both happy and disappointed and also why the Jackets decided to make this big change at this juncture.  

In this episode I discuss: 1. The Mason Marchment trade 2. The Yegor Chinakhov trade 3. The injuries plaguing the Blue Jackets right now 4. A reality check on the season.  Where this team is headed and how we as fans should feel about it.

There hasn't been much of anything positive to talk about lately when it comes to the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Just absolute gloom.  At publication time, the Jackets once again find themselves in dead last in the Eastern Conference.  In this episode I'll discuss my ideas for what could and should be done moving forward and how the Jackets have fallen to this point.  I'll take a deep dive into the l...

In this episode I will discuss my growing distrust in Dean Evason's coaching abilities, especially in overtime.  I'll also talk about how the Jackets' win against the Devils might be a turning point in the season...or how it might not.  And, I'll talk about when we will see far fewer Penguins fans at Nationwide Arena.   

What have we learned about the Blue Jackets lately?  They can't seem to figure out how to deliver that knockout punch in the third period.  In this episode, I'll talk about that and: 1. The bright spots right now (Fantilli and Werenski) 2. Is Jet Greaves the #1 goaltender for the team? 3. Second line woes 4. Dean Evason's poor overtime lineup decisions 5. The Chinakhov saga 6. Bill Simmon's commen...

The Jackets are off to a 7-6 start and have looked very underwhelming, especially during the last two games.  Games the should have won.  I take a look at those last two games, what happened, and what I think needs to be done to right the ship...if anything can be done.  I'll also explain in detail why I believe the Blue Jackets are by far the unluckiest NHL team in the last 25 years.  

Six games into the 2025-2026 season.  The Jackets are 3 and 3.  There have been some bright spots but a lot of sore spots as well. In this episode I'll talk about the positives and negatives (both in play and personnel) I have seen and what needs to be done going forward.  

Welcome back to CBJ hockey for the 2025-2026 season!  This is my season preview episode.  I'll give you my thoughts about the Blue Jackets roster as currently constructed as well as my playoff prediction.  Enjoy!

Summer is over, hockey is back, so therefore so am I.  In this episode I will drop my thoughts about everything Blue Jackets that has occurred between July 1st and now.  Included: 1. Provorov signing 2. Chinakhov's trade request 3. Ivan Fedotov 4. CBJ current cap situation and upcoming free agents 5. Training camp expectations 6. A few other things, maybe even about pizza

A rare summer episode of Boom and Gloom!  I have a very pessimistic take on the start of the offseason for the Blue Jackets.  I was hoping for a better trade and different draft decisions.  In this episode I will explain why I am currently frustrated with Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell.  

Episode 38: The Blue Jackets 2024-2025 season is over.  They were a hair away from making the playoffs.  In this episode I'll talk about what we saw this season and what we can expect in the future.  Also: - The 3 best and 3 worst decisions Don Waddell made this season. - The 3 best and 3 worst decisions Dean Evason made this season. - The 3 things we learned from watching the Blue Jackets this se...

Episode 37:  Jackets are still, somehow, alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.  In this episode I'll discuss: 1. The Jackets current situation (no regulation wins in 9 straight). 2. What needs to be done to sneak into the playoffs. 3. The future of the Jackets' forwards, defense, and goaltenders. 4. An aspect of the Blue Jackets' system I have noticed. 5. My journey to get a Stadium Series...

Yes, this episode is entitled "Pain."  Because that is often what it feels like to be a Blue Jackets fan.  It has certainly been a frustrating month for the Blue Jackets and their fans.  In this episode I'll talk about their recent downfall, what has caused it, and we can learn about the Blue Jackets' future because of it.  It is amazing how much things have changed in just a few weeks.  Fair warn...

Episode 35.  My thoughts on the 2025 trade deadline.  In this episode I will talk about what the Blue Jackets did and did not do at the 2025 trade deadline.  I'll explain how I was disappointed but then, thanks to a certain Reddit post, my tune changed.      

Episode 34: In this episode I talk about, what else...the Stadium Series game that took place on March 1st at Ohio Stadium.  It was a hockey experience unlike any other in my life.  So I'll tell you all about the boom and gloom associated with that and then move on to some other Jackets notes.  Enjoy!

Are we a wagon?  Exciting times for Blue Jackets fans.  Lots to be excited about.  In this episode I will discuss: 1. Do we finally have average goaltending?  2. What will the lineup look like when Jenner, Monahan, and Chinakhov return from injury? 3. After the Christiansen extension, what will the Jackets' defense look like next season?  Who stays?  Who goes? 4. The Utah Hockey Club is down to th...