from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
Ward also wonders whether the Blue Jackets truly vetted this situation. Did they consider all of the fallout that could be coming their way prior to hiring Babcock? Revelations of how the longtime coach was bullying players were leading to his ouster from the NHL.
“From an organizational standpoint, I have no idea if this is anything they’ve could have projected, or thought about possibly being something that could happen to them in bringing Babock in,” Ward said. “But if they didn’t, they didn’t really do their research. The idea that maybe as an organization they didn’t do their full homework and search what potentially could be brought to their doorstep.”
Ward said that he’s also been hearing from someone within the Columbus organization. What he’s being told is how uncomfortable the situation is currently within the team.
“They’re right now on pins and needles trying to figure out what he’s all about,” Ward said. “There’s a little bit of an uncomfortable feel of how to absorb him.”
Ward also believes that from Babcock’s standpoint, he has to recognize that his every move will be under intense scrutiny.
from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
One of the signs that a young player is ready for the next level of hockey is to judge how he performs against his peers.
That's an opportunity the likes of Marco Kasper and Elmer Söderblom will have over the coming days as they partake in the prospects tournament that precedes main training camp for the Detroit Red Wings in Traverse City.
Those two are among the dozens of draftees and invitees who will compete against three other NHL teams' top young players while management and NHL coaching staffs watch from the stands. A standout performance could lead to a look next to a veteran once main camp begins Sept. 21...
Kasper (the No. 8 overall pick in 2022) and Söderblom (No. 159 in 2019) already have dipped their toes into the NHL, with Kasper appearing in one game this past spring before a leg injury waylaid plans to see more of him. Söderblom, who looms at 6 feet 8, had eight points in 21 games with the Wings at the start of last season before being sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins to grow his game.
Forward Nate Danielson (No. 9, 2023) and goaltender Sebastian Cossa (No. 15, 2021) are also on the roster. This is a big year for Cossa, who is earmarked to be the go-to guy with the Griffins. Jan Bednar (No. 107, 2020) is one of the other two goaltenders.
The defense corps is headlined by Antti Tuomisto (No. 35, 2019), who had 20 points in 60 games in Finland's top league last season, and William Wallinder (No. 32 , 2020), who logged 26 points (seven goals) in 50 games with Rögle BK before joining the Griffins. Up front, there's also left wing Carter Mazur (No. 70, 2021), who registered 37 points (22 goals) in 40 games at the University of Denver before adding six points (three goals) in six games with the Griffins.
more
from Corey Pronman of The Athletic,
Today I highlight one interesting prospect in each NHL organization I will be watching the closest during their NHL camps. This selection doesnt mean they are the best players, but talent is relevant, with an eye especially toward those who could play NHL games this upcoming season.
Detroit Red Wings: Marco Kasper, C
Marco Kasper is still just a teenager and will need to make a strong impression to make the Wings, as Detroit acquired several veteran forwards over the summer. Still, after being selected in the top 10, expectations are high for him. Whether he makes it difficult for Detroit to cut him or looks a few years away will be something to watch as he enters his first NHL camp.
more ($) players
On one hand, this is probably a whole lot of nothing. It sounds like Babs asked to see pics, and the players had control over what he saw.
On the other hand, it may be good to give Babs an early shot across the proverbial bow that he's going to be under intense scrutiny his whole tenure in the league, so he better get his shite together. That is, if he even survives long enough to see opening day.
I have a feeling this whole thing is much ado about nothing. I don't hear any of the current players complaining on or off the record. As much as I think Babcock is a control freak I don't think he is stupid enough to demand that every player gives him unlimited access to their photos.
I think what we are seeing are ex-players trying to gain exposure for their personal benefit. Some may hold grudges against Babcock (justified and unjustified) and others just see an opportunity.
Babcock certainly deserves extra scrutiny but I don't think he's crossing a line here. In fact, he might be trying to be more "human" here.
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. These kind of stories are written (stirred up) by those like the slow drivers in the freeway's passing lanes - they see nothing around them and never judge themselves (only others - flipping off those who pass them in the right lane).
I live in Columbus, and I can really tell you the second part of Wards comments really track with respect to the CBJ organization. The team is 23 years old and still cant seem to act like theyve done any of this before. They are way more concerned with short term optics than long term quality, e.g. the teams attitude towards Rick Nash and Jody Shelley, their past, fake rivalry with Detroit, and ambiguous branding. Go to a game in Columbus sometime, the experience wont betray a shred of local identity after theyve sung the anthem.
So the Babcock hire makes a lot of sense. Hire a known hardass who once found his way onto a cup winner to make the fans seem like theyre serious. The local press really felt like the team underperformed last year (the local press doesnt know hockey), so Babcock is a classic reactionary choice for the ownership group to make.
OSU football is huge here, but beyond that, all the CBJ have to compete against for eyeballs on tv and asses in seats is the local MLS team (and theyre whipping the CBJs ass imo). Babcock was the perfect publicity choice for the CBJ, all balls and no brains, they didnt think any harder than that about it.
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