In direct competition with the Light the Lamp CBJ blog, the Cannon have fired back with their own baby, Logan. Everything is healthy. Very much like a current Blue Jacket, sleepy, doesn't have his legs yet and his muscles move in ways that they are not intended to move.

Fortunately we have plenty of highly capable writers to carry the flag as I will be out of operation for a while.

Final Jacket thought for a while: I noticed we lost in another shootout. I was thinking that if we had won half of these shootout we've been in.... things really wouldn't feel that bad. So critical to get those points for team morale.

More photos » by Terry Gilliam - AP

5 days ago: Columbus Blue Jackets' head coach Ken Hitchcock, center, yells at his players during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. Anaheim won 3-1. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

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It seems every game we've played in the last 4 weeks "we haven't found our legs". Every team has more legs than us. What gives? Do our players have legs? Are they so poorly conditioned that they can't keep up with most teams? Is our roster slow? Do other teams simply want it more? Nashville beat us decisively tonight 5-3. It wasn't that close

Nashville beats up because they are always skating. Their forwards are hungry and their defensemen are skilled. The top 3 defenders on Nashville would immediately be the best defensemen in Blue Jackets history. That's a major difference. Our ineptitude in our backend hints that there needs to be a shake up there. Our players do no generate speed through the neutral zone and break out passes aren't made. We don't have defenders join a rush in a meaningful way.

The play of our defensemen is in my opinion the single biggest reason we are in the place we are right now. Commodore is much much worse than the physical, positionally strong defender of last year. Jan Hejda looks like he wants every in the league to forget his name again. Tyutin has been puck clumsy. Methot hasn't taken a step. This team must be missing Christian Backman. Barf. This is by far the weakest part of our roster. A good defense beats a good offense.

Who on our defense is a scoring threat from the backend? Ignoring Russell's 3 week streak... the answer is simply nobody. That really sucks when your defense isn't shutting anyone down either. What are they good at?

Defensive turnovers (Mark Methot) lead to the first two goals. If I recall on the second two goals they were the result of terrible positioning of Mike Commodore.

What happened to our 5 on 5 hunger from last year? We overmatched most teams in 5 on 5 play last year. This year we can't put together two decent shifts.

Who played welll tonight?

Steve Sullivan is what is wrong with our team. He constantly is playing. He's always looking for a way to make a defense miserable. It doesn't matter how old or injured he is. He's a hungry guy, a guy that has built a career out of it.

I can't point out a single blue shirt that played a good game, maybe Umberger. I think it is time for some intervention. I'd hope we would have already pulled out the players only meeting at this point. The leaders of this team need to seriously step it up.

Doghouse: Hitch. Big Papi makes a lot of money.

While it feels like we are in a terrible spot.... we are in about the same place as last year. We simply have to stop this slide. We have to win games. We need to break out and put together a great stretch of hockey.

Comments? Fire Away

More photos » by Terry Gilliam - AP

6 days ago: Columbus Blue Jackets' Derek Dorsett (15) is hit in the head by Anaheim Ducks' Mike Brown (13) while fighting during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

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The sad thing is that our team play continues to be better than it was for weeks. That just goes to show you how far off we were... because tonight was not enough to win. At least we plugged most of the gaping holes in our defenses, improved our PK (somewhat) and have limited odd man rushes (somewhat).

The first goal of the game from the Ducks I called after our shot. The Ducks carried up ice 4 against 2. One of the two was Stralman (who again looked poor tonight). Needless to say the puck found the net. Other than that there were not many odd man rushes.

This team always seems to struggle with goal scoring confidence. If we don't score early... we don't score often. This is the value of a good PP, but that didn't cash in tonight. We had a 5 on 3 to get it done, but we just didn't. We go in and out of the zone.

Brassard, Voracek, Nash, Torres, and Chimera were all invisible tonight. We need more from 61. We need goals.

Fredrik Modin returned from injury and looked pretty good. He skated hard and got more than a couple shots on net. It still drives me crazy how a man that big doesn't hit someone.

We do lose Derek Dorsett tonight, likely with a broken hand. We seem to have a much better record with this guy in the lineup. Looking at the replays he had already injured his hand and then challenged a guy to a fight... not a bright move.


Mancrush: Kristian Huselius. I thought he played real well in all three zones tonight. He competed hard and made some nice takeaways.

Doghouse: Commodore and Hejda. If these guys plays like this they are not a value to an NHL roster. These guys absolutely have to shut down players from the other team. There were far too many sloppy shifts from these guys in our own zone. Kyle Calder made them look silly tonight. When they are not shutting down players they are not contributing. Mark Methot has been our best defensive defensemen for the past month... that isn't going to cut it. Hejda's penalty in the final 10 minutes sunk us tonight.

Very disappointing game tonight. We absolutely have to finish strong in December and this is the type of game we have to win. Everyone seems to be winning in the Western Conference right now. We need to hang in the mix.

More photos » by Sean Kilpatrick - AP

8 months ago: Ottawa Senators' Brian Lee fights to get between Boston Bruins' Mark Recchi, left, and Chuck Kobasew, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Sean Kilpatrick)

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On the drive home today I heard a snippet on the radio that we may be interested in defender Brian Lee of the Ottawa Senators. This was on The Fan and I was expecting to find the rumor elsewhere on the internet because the Fan is often not the first on a scoop.

My first thought is... wasn't he a highly though of first rounder? A nice right shot defender that could play a little powerplay and had the size to play in the defensive zone. The knack has been that he isn't physical enough... This led to my second thought... isn't this Anton Stralman?

While I do think that we need to upgrade our defense, I'm not sure that Lee does that. While it is just a rumor, it's the first I've heard on the season. I'm not sure what Ottawa would want in return, but I'm sure we are offering one of our extra wings now the Freddy Mo is coming back into the lineup... for a few games.

MAJOR EDIT:

It was brought to my attention that this was officially tweeted by Aaron Portzline. I don't tweet. I Puckrake.

In my opinion. I trade Filatov. It is obvious to me that Filatov will not be a great NHL player for us within the next 2 years. If that's the case then he will struggle to get ice time with Hitch behind the bench and Nash, Huselius, Voracek and Umberger in front of him. I do not hesitate to trade Filatov and the Sens, who have a terrible time on offense badly need to replace Dany Heatley. Filatov would play for the Sens right now and he'd be on a top 2 line.

Now the question becomes value. I'd assume that Ottawa would need to add something to get Filatov from us. Lee is a quality defensive prospect with upside, but Filatov's upside can be massive. There'd have to be something else added.

Brian Lee is also out indefinitely with a strange illness. This makes a trade more unlikely right now. Many Sens fans are not satisfied with his current play.

According to Eric Smith the rumored deal is Filatov  + Crunchie for Lee, Ryan Shannon and a 2nd round pick. Shannon is intriguing, but I'd still wonder if we could get a better package. I'd prefer to move Filatov for a guy that will immediately help this team. Preferably a blueliner with more potential/ status than Brian Lee.

I'd hope we'd shop Filatov around a little more than this though, because I'd be very interested to see what other teams might be willing to offer for him. Hopefully this is a sign he's officially on the block.

I think the Islander, Panthers, Canadians, Maple Leafs, Thrashers, Hurricanes, Wild, Coyotes, and Predators would all have substantial interest in Filatov. Some of those teams have much more intriguing blueline options for us in my opinion. I'd hate to make a deal with Nashville, but if we could land a top blueliner, I'd consider it.

Debate. What do you think?

More photos » by Mark Humphrey - AP

8 days ago: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jan Hejda (8), of the Czech Republic, pushes Nashville Predators center Jason Arnott (19) into Blue Jackets goalie Mathieu Garon (32) in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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This would have felt great to win in the shootout. I want this Nashville streak to die. I felt good after Tyuts snapped a dirty backhander over Rinne, but just when it seems it is in control... the Preds squeak it out 4-3 in the shootout.

On the bright side our good play has also continued.

Bill Davidge made a comment toward the end of the game that I thought did sum up our job tonight, "There weren't any passengers on this train." A back to back set with travel is certainly not easy, but we did come to play. We forechecked well and played pretty strong defense. Nashville owned us during the last of the first period, but htat rest of the game was at worst, even. Maybe... just maybe, we are coming out of our slump.

Nash - Vermette - Huselius played a strong game tonight. Nash cashing in on a breakaway and making a sweet pass to Kris Russell highlighted the night. We've needed better play out of Nash. He needs a goal scoring tear. Vermette was really skating hard. I often go back and forth on two different attitudes 1. "Look at his effort tonight. He really wants it" and 2. "Why doesn't he skate like that all the time?"  . It's not just Vermette.

I thought 15-16-17 was good again tonight. I think the lines are the most balanced that they have been all year and we are get pretty decent play. Raffi potted another PP goal tonight to give him 10 on the year. If you would have told me that Raffi would be the third player to reach double digit goals this year... I'm not sure what I would have said. He's played pretty strong. He is playing more straight lines and has cut back on the cute passes... works for me.

Who else could breathe again when Hejda came back on the ice? With Klesla out, I'd be afraid to think about losing Hejda for a prolonged period of time. He is starting to play better. Commodore isn't helping.

Garon played another solid, but not spectacular game. I've gotten what I'd expect from a quality back-up. I was hoping he'd come up money in the shootout, but it just didn't happen tonight.

The officiating was pretty bad tonight all around. Missed penalty calls. Phantom penalty calls. Not good.

Mancrush: Kris Russell. Where has this guy come from. Finally TI Girl of HF fame can really be proud. Perhaps he is the newest beneficiary of the "Vyborny Scratch". It is the best stretch of hockey he has ever put together and it is the type of play he needs to be a regular NHL dman. I always feel comfortable with the puck on his stick.

Doghouse: Mike Commodore. He needs to skate. He feel a few times tonight and was beat by speed a few others. His 1st period intermission interview wasn't even good. He needs to do better.

Overall team effort was much better tonight, but I'd still like to see a little more fire. Thoughts? Comments? Fire Away!

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

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When you team isn't playing well, there is one guy that can turn it around. A hot goaltender can carry a mediocre team through awesome stretches. Steve "Calder" Mason showed up tonight and played very well. A completely different goaltender from the last 5 or 6 games. He moved smartly, positionally strong. Not once did he look like his crease was on fire.

The Jackets shutout the Florida Panthers tonight 3-0 and they deserved it... a little bit. It wasn't a wonderful game, but it was an improvement. Lets turn this into a streak and get the excitement back in the Arena.

I thought the lines were okay tonight. I liked trying Derick Brassard with Dorse and Torres and bumping Pahlsson down to the fourth line. It makes the most sense to do this to try and get Brassard going and he finally got a goal. A skill goal too.

The major issue with the one line is still an issue. They give up numbers on the defensive end. It is our most consistent offender for odd man rushes. I'm not sure if it is an issue of our top players not busting it to get back or they are getting themselves in too deep and turnover the puck. Either way our best players can't be doing this.

Nash and Pahlsson were united in their brief PK stint tonight. It is a much better fit for Nash who likes to take risks. Im' glad coach was able to incorporate my suggestion (it might have been a line change coincidence tonight). Ideally I'd like Pahlsson - Nash, Vermette - Umberger, Murray - Chimera.

Jason Chimera keeps his magic touch going with another goal. He plays periods where you'd think he could be an All-Star, so we have to savor this.

A couple guys that I don't talk about a whole lot played really well tonight. Mark Methot and Jared Boll. Methot skated the puck out of the zone it seemed a half a dozen times. Boller really competed hard on the puck all night. During stretches it seemed we wouldn't win a puck battle, Boller hit the ice and did just that.

Mancrush: The Penalty Kill in the final 10 minutes. This could have easily sent the Nationwide Crowd to the surrounding hospitals. The kill was strong and even on the 5 on 3 limited most of the chances. If Florida scored there... I may have thrown something.

Doghouse: Mike Commodore he still looks out of shape and tentative. He takes over for Anton Stralman, who I thought played somewhat better tonight.

This game looked a lot better overall, but still is ways away from our potential. The second period was not strong and segments of the 3rd were not good.

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

13 days ago: Colorado Avalanche's Peter Budaj, right, of Slovakia, makes a save as Columbus Blue Jackets' Raffi Torres slides into the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

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Jason Chimera brought his game tonight and scored a goal and almost saved a game. In the final 20 seconds Chimmer appeared to score to tie the game. After a replay, the puck clearly went under the goal as the net rocked on its moorings. Rimer may still not understand this. It was clearly a 'no goal' and with that the hopes of a snapped streak disappeared.

If we won the game, it would have been a lift, but to tell the truth this was far from the game I expected tonight. I was expecting a playoff type intensity tonight. What we got was a lot of timid play and a lot of guys overlapping work. I think our bad defensive zone coverage has guys slipping into other guys' areas to make sure stuff is covered.

Rick Nash needs to play better. I site him at fault for Colorado's third and winning goal. We had a great chance in the offensive zone and 3 on 3 coming back. For some reason, Nash goes for an open ice hit on the puck carrier who was being covered by the left defender. This left a 2 on 1 and Colorado scored. 3-2 game over. To me it was a brainless, immature play. Nash needs to take the left side wing in the case. No exception.

Anton Stralman continued his awful play and I think we are seeing the real deal. A lot of players a confidence guys. If a pro athlete is not mentally tough, they are prone to long periods of bad play. It has officially gotten into his head. With the state of play in our defensive core, it is not good timing.

I'm not sure what the point of putting Nash - Vermette - Umberger together is if they aren't scoring goals and all end up -2 on the book.

Stating the obvious we are in a crappy spot right now. Confidence is low, players are pressing, players are trying to do too much, Columbus fans. We know this feeling, but the reality is this team is very capable of turning this around. It might take Steve Mason to steal a game for us. It might take Derick Brassard to find his scoring touch. It might take Mike Commodore to look like an NHL defender.

Ultimately we need to stay in the mix. Not taking care of business now, will make games down the stretch much more meaningful. I have confidence we will be able to add a quality player when we need to. I have confidence we will be able to improve our defense and transition game.

Mancrush of the Night: Jason Chimera. He had his motor going tonight.

Doghouse: Hitch. Until improvement is seen. Time to earn your money big guy.

Voracek cut his hair. Filatov has left. Commodore has come back into the lineup. canon  Which is to blame? I think it's looking like Filatov really added that wining element to the 3 minutes of ice time that he had. Maybe it is Voracek's hair cut. What do you think? Other variable?

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

15 days ago: Columbus Blue Jackets' Mike Commodore, right, and Toronto Maple Leafs' Niklas Hagman, of Finland, chase a loose puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

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Of all the blowouts that we have endured this year. This one sucks the most. Home ice, the Leafs aren't great, and following a quality game against the Blackhawks. We feel victim to some terrible turnovers and then more overall bad defense... a recurring theme. Keeping it short tonight. 6-2 Toronto.

The defense needs a change. The Tyutin-Stralman pairing has continued to fall downhill. I'm not sure with our current personnel what the solution is. The decline in Stralman's play has really made me concerned.

I actually thought Brassard-Voracek-Umberger looked nice to start the game tonight. Not long afterward, they end up being -3 players.

We played very well in the second period until the Blake goal. A beauty from Toronto. They picked us apart after that.

We were a dominating 5 on 5 team last year and have been anything, but this year. I'm not sure what the significant difference is between this year and last year.  Even our top line seems to be hemmed in the zone most nights during this slump.

The fourth line plays like we played last year. The only line that didn't get score on. Why this line creates the best offensive pressure isn't a surprise. They check, they pressure, and they fight for the puck.

This Leafs team will not make the playoffs and made us look silly. I wouldn't be surprised to see wide sweeping, line changes.

Doghouse : Hitch. I've finally put him here. He's too good of a coach to go through a period like this with no improvement. We are not good at the things he's supposedly good at. 5 on 5, defense, and PK. He's got to own it.

Comments? Suggested Changes? Solutions? Fire Away

by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

17 days ago: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Raffi Torres, left, watches his shot on goal get blocked by Chicago Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet, right, as Blackhwaks defenseman Cam Barker, background, watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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This was a game that concerned me. It's was national television. It's against the best home team in the WC. We haven't played well. The Blackhawks have been on fire. A 4-3 Shootout loss doesn't feel like such a bitter pill.

I thought we played well the entire game. The Hawk loving VS color guy will be sure to come to the blog and tell me this "was a classic trap game" for the Blackhawks (was it John Ahlers?). Just like he said EVERY TIME the Blackhawks made a bad play. When they were playing well... well look at that skill. I was hoping for a nicely covered, highlight the positives of each team type of game. This guy honestly made me enjoy the game less.

Our team on ice played really well. Probably our best 5 on 5 game of the year. It looked a lot like our games last year. We limited chances (still gave up 2 breakaways) and got the puck deep and cycled pretty well.

This was a funny game for Kris Russell. He made a bad play on the PP that lead to a shorthanded goal to Versteeg. When Russell is out there with a forward on the point, I'm not comfortable. Tonight he tried to carry the puck deep... not a good call when your the only defensemen on the ice. On the flip side his rush rocket is the type of play that I've wanted for forever. The goals the last two games are ideal Kris Russell goals, the types of goals we expected from him. The healthy scratches hopefully will have the David Vyborny effect.

Steve Mason played a second strong night. He didn't give up any softies and he kept us in the game. That's his job. He was much calmer in the shootout. The infinite shootout (maybe the longest in team history). A big issue for him lately has been moving too much, opening up holes. 

Rick Nash always tries to bust out a few extra fancies on national TV. Some of them did look nice tonight. I'd rather him score two ugly goals.

Antoine Vermette has continued to put points on the scoreboard. He's nearly a point per game player and continues to go to the paint for goals. You have to love that. On the other hand I think he was on the ice for both powerplay goals against... leading to the Cannon's weekly.

Penalty Kill lashing. This has to change. We gave up 2 more tonight, that was the game. We killed about 38 of our first 40 penalties on the year... if we didn't we could be the worst penalty kill team in the league. I think this is partly due to Hejda and Commodore both struggling to come back from injury. I'd split the pairs. Go Pahlsson - Nash, Vermette - Chimera, give that a whirl.

Since the Doghouse, Pahlsson has played better game. The doghouse tends to have that affect on players. He did score a goal. A terribly weak one, but they all count the same.

Mancrush: Mathieu Roy looked good in his recall. He was +2 tonight and was skating a lot better than the beginning of the year.

Doghouse: Anton Stralman will take the nod of the second straight night. 3 Minor penalties tonight. The top PP unit has had a hard time getting the puck in. Again, more positives than negatives this year.

Pulling out a point in Chicago is a nice, especially considering our recent skid. Back home Thursday for the Leafs. Predictions? Fire Away!

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

2 months ago: Columbus Blue Jackets' R.J. Umberger, right, celebrates his goal with teammate Rick Nash in the third period of a hockey game against the Phoenix Coyotes Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. The Blue Jackets defeated the Coyotes 2-0. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Just like the team, for me it has been tough to write these reviews. One loss, not a big deal. Two losses, eh okay. Five, can I call in sick? We won games early in the year that we probably had no business winning, recently we've lost them. Overall, you can't get too concerned, teams go through these type of stretches... but you just can't wait for them to end. Tonight the Blue Jackets downed the Blues 5-2 partly due to R.J. Umberger and his first hat trick with the Blue Jackets.

The first 10 minutes were some of the best of the year. Passes were crisp, the high forward was back, and pressure was created around the net. We had two on the scoreboard It was perfect. Too perfect.

The story of this game could very well be a season ending knee injury to Rostislav Klesla. While reports have not hit the news yet, it is safe to say we won't be seeing Rusty again in 2009. He has played some pretty good hockey for us and I think has been the most consistent defensemen this year. Hitch said in the press conference that he was in for an MRI. This would indicate a knee injury as opposed to a broken bone... me and my medical degree can figure that out.

Someone who I haven't talk a lot about is Mike Bluden. You'd love to see him hit the scoreboard, because frankly to stick in the NHL he'll need to do that. When he's on the ice though, he's always back on defense, he's always working diagonally on the puck carrier. Just like he's supposed to. Given the issues that we've had recently, you appreciate this. His hit in the final two minutes gave me a pretty nice smile.

Nod to RJ for scoring the exact same goal two times (what a feat). One from Voracek, the other from Brassard. OH,  AND THE HATTIE. That line played well overall tonight and has meshed well since they've been put together. I think RJ is a good compliment to that line. RJ really scores in bunches. He has 7 goals in 3 games this year. It feels like a long time someone not named Nash got a hat trick. 4 points for RJ tonight, job well done.

Maybe the best game from Steve Mason in a month. I thought he was positionally strong and controlled his rebounds well. St. Louis didn't venture behind the net though. Someone wasn't doing their scouting report.

Vermette got the empty netter tonight. Thank goodness. This was the first final thirty seconds in a long time that I either wasn't having a heart attack or really really annoyed.

Mancrush of the Night : Kris Russell. (Sorry R.J.) Just watching him makes you realize who little our defense skates. We absolutely need players like Hejda and Commodore to skate the puck out of the zone. I can't count the number of times I've seen Commie try to make a pass from a defensive faceoff dot, to the opposition blueline. He sits back like he's going to sharpshoot something. Let's just skate it out of the zone. It was great to see Russell hit the scoreboard. A sweet wrister at that (the type of goal we've expected from him for 3 years). His skating the puck out also led to the second goal.

Doghouse for Anton Stralman tonight. I thought he looked very shaky on his feet tonight. He was beat a few times. He wasn't strong in the corners and lost a couple edges. He's been a much better positive overall this year, but given the injury to Klesla, we will need more quality minutes from him.

I went back and forth... R.J. or Russ for Mancrush tonight. Write in Vote. If RJ didn't have the weak empty netter to finish the hattie... he'd have the spot. I don't think I need to remind you of what Al Iafrate thinks of empty netters.

Feel good? Fire Away!