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Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager, Jarmo Kekalainen may have the last laugh

Jarmo Kekalainen, tried to tell us. He never wavered in his assessment of the Columbus Blue Jackets roster he put together. While media outlets and fans not to mention hockey experts scoffed at the notion that the Blue Jackets were not reloading but about to enter a full-blown rebuild. Kekalainen insisted his team was indeed reloading. At 7-3, tying the best start in franchise history, Jarmo Kekalainen has to be grinning.

COLUMBUS, OH – November 6th: Alexandre Texier #42 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at Nationwide Arena on November 6th, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)

What is going on with the Columbus Blue Jackets? A massive roster overhaul chalked full of young players, some of which have barely any NHL experience while others are rookies sprinkled with some veterans have the Blue Jackets playing well.

I dare say not many people (myself included) saw this coming. Yet, here the Blue Jackets are and it appears they are not going away anytime soon. Is this a playoff team? It is still early in the season so that is difficult to forecast. That is not to say they are not. After the start they have had and as young players seem to be getting better with each game played, anything is possible.

Gritty, savvy, undeterred, pick one. Shoot pick all three. This is what I feel best describes the start of the 2021-22 Columbus Blue Jackets season. It has been very good to witness the job head coach Brad Larsen and his coaching staff has done. From game preparation to in-game adjustments Larsen is pushing all the right buttons.

Sure the 3 losses were clunkers, that said every team has clunker games during the course of the season including would be Stanley Cup champions. The bad games aside, the Blue Jackets have bounced back after the bad losses to win the next game played.

NEWARK, NJ – OCTOBER 31: Head Coach Brad Larsen of the Columbus Blue Jackets reacts to a call on the ice from the bench against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 31, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

While a losing streak could turn up, so could a winning streak. How about the third periods for the Blue Jackets? In what use to be a bad timeframe the Blue Jackets are now finding a way to finish games. In fact, Columbus is making a  thing out of third period comebacks and wins.

This is the team that Jarmo Kekalainen has put together. With it doubters have been silenced.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets are fun to watch

Rebuilds are not suppose to net many wins. In fact teams are supposed to struggle game in and game out. At 6-3 the Columbus Blue Jackets rebuild is off to an odd but fun start. The teams 3 losses were closer to a rebuild teams in terms of scores. Yet, head coach Brad Larsen has the NHL’s youngest team playing a fast tempo, puck pushing style that has netted some fantastic wins.

COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 14: Jakub Voracek #93 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates during the third period of a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Nationwide Arena on October 14, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Columbus Blue Jackets have had 3 blowout losses, 4-1 to the Detroit Red Wings, 5-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes, and 4-0 to the New York Rangers. It would be easy to get caught up in that. But after each loss the Blue Jackets bounced back and won. A sign of good coaching and players who forget fast.

In the teams 6 wins a new hero has shown himself each game. Yet, another good sign that the Blue Jackets are more than Patrik Laine who in case you were unaware is off to a great start.

In training camp the defense was one of the biggest question marks entering the season. The young defense has played well mostly (in the 3 losses there were struggles.)

The other question mark that dates back a few seasons was the power play. The addition of Jakub Voracek has been a God-send. Voracek has been working with players in practice getting them to understand what they need to do in certain situations. The teams power play has been solid.

COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 23: Patrik Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck in the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena on October 23, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)

As noted, the Blue Jackets are playing a style that pushes the puck, the offense has been wide open allowing the team to get good looks at the net. This is indeed a new dawning of Blue Jackets hockey.

While there is still a lot of hockey left to play (thank goodness!!!) and losing streaks are sure to happen, so are winning streaks. The biggest hope the young Blue Jackets have shown is the ability to overcome a tough loss or blowout and come back the next game with some fight.

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Star Wars villain Maul appears to be getting his own show

Disney + appears to be bringing another popular Star Wars character to the small screen. The former “Darth,” Maul looks to be in the works. The story will be focused around the former Sith Lord’s time running the criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn. The show which started out as a live-action idea is now said to be animated.

While the exact title of the show which will feature Maul is unknown, is known to take place after the events of the widely successful “The Bad Batch.” What the exact timeline is is still unknown.

BERLIN, GERMANY – DECEMBER 16: Boba Fett character at the German premiere for the film ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (german title: ‘Star Wars: Das Erwachen der Macht’) at Zoo Palast on December 16, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images)

What seems interesting yet calculated, word of the Maul show broke yesterday after The Book of Boba Fett had it’s trailer release. Maul has an interesting history in the Star Wars Universe.

In The Phantom Menace, Maul appeared to die at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Yet, he survived out of anger and was fitted with robotic legs. His role in both Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels left fans wanting more.

Maul made a cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story as the leader of Crimson Dawn. So the question is how does Maul, Crimson Dawn and Boba Fett connect? I can only submit my thoughts here. So her goes.

I believe it is possible that the Maul show will show how he put Crimson Dawn together and the effects of the groups work had on the galaxy far far away. In The Book of Boba Fett trailers there is a quick shot of Fett talking to a group of people.

STAR WARS REBELS – “Twilight of the Apprentice: Part I and II” – After gaining information about the Sith, Kanan, Ezra and Ahsoka battle the Inquisitors with the help of a new ally, but are overmatched when Vader arrives. This episode of “Star Wars Rebels” airs Wednesday, March 30 (9:00 10:00 P.M. EST) on Disney XD. (Disney XD via Getty Images)
DARTH MAUL

I believe those people are none other than the members of Crimson Dawn, the same Crimson Dawn that ( I am going out on a limb here) Boba Fett now runs. While those are my thoughts, I believe this is how they can connect the stories together.

Hold on Star Wars fans, it’s about to get interesting and fun. Very soon.

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With the 2021 NFL trade deadline coming, will the Detroit Lions make a move

Detroit Lions principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp, recently said about her franchise’s current rebuild, “Everyone knew this was going to be a hard year. A rebuild, no one wanted to say that exactly, but we all kind of knew it was going to be and I think, as I say, the good news is that our young guys are getting a lot of experience, probably a lot more than they would have normally, So, I think at the end of this year, we’ll really know what we have. I think we’re building our foundation, and as you know, we have a slew of draft picks coming up the next few years. So, I see nothing but positive going forward. I think we’ll have a chance to really, really improve ourselves, and I feel like we’ve got the right leaders to get us there.”

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: D’Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions rushes for a touchdown during the first half in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

For the 0-7 Detroit Lions who’s record hides the fact that rookies have played very well and improved week to week, the trade deadline can speed up the painstaking rebuild.

Lions General Manager, Brad Holmes who knows the Los Angeles Rams very well, could swing a massive trade is he chooses to do so. The Rams are in the market for a running back. Not that the Lions want to deal one, but one player could net a huge return.

D’Andre Swift, who is one of the NFL’s versatile running backs could net the Detroit Lions a return they simply could not turn down. Rams general manager Les Snead, has never shied away from dealing draft picks to gain talent.

The Lions who currently holds two first round draft picks in next springs draft could add more. Dealing a player like Swift, the Rams could cough up draft picks that include:

2022 second round draft pick

2023 second round draft pick

2023 third round draft pick

GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 09: A Detroit Lions Helmet sits on the field before the NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals on December 9, 2018 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

That is not an overvalue of D’Andre Swift. As I stated he is very talented and would fit seamlessly into the Rams offense. I am not saying this will happen. But in a rebuild nothing is or should be off the table. Including one of the better young players in the league.

Will Brad Holmes swing a massive deal like this? We will find out next week.

 

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Cornerback Jerry Jacobs has been a surprise for the Detroit Lions

Everyone loves an underdog story. The person who is unassuming that reaches heights few believed they could. For the rebuilding Detroit Lions undrafted rookie cornerback Jerry Jacobs is that underdog. Season ending injuries to  Jeff Okudah and 2021 third-round draft pick Ifeatu Melifonwu, left the Lions with little choice but to insert Jacobs into the starting lineup. Jerry Jacobs has taken full advantage of the opportunity.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 10: Alexander Mattison #25 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball as Jerry Jacobs #39 of the Detroit Lions defends at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions 19-17. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Entering Sundays tilt against the Los Angeles Rams, Jerry Jacobs will be starting his third game for the Detroit Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell went on record as saying that Jacobs has grown a lot since he walked through the Lions doors on a try out.

Jerry Jacobs plays with a tenacity. To pinpoint where that tenacity comes from it could be safe to say that Jacobs feels the need to prove himself everyday. Be it practice or game day. This is what being an underdog can do, it can bring the absolute best out of a person.

What has been fun to watch, is the times that he has been beaten, Jacobs bounces back. He is still learning, still applying what he is learning and it shows in his steady play.

Once a player “makes it” it is easy to forget how they got there. For an underdog, they generally never forget. They do not forget teams that passed on them in the draft or in free agency or a try out. The work they put in. The belief they have in themselves when it seems no one else does. Tom Brady is a prime example, of an underdog that reached heights few thought he would, but Brady is a high bar for underdogs.

ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN – JULY 28: Jerry Jacobs #39 of the Detroit Lions walks out to the field during the Detroit Lions Training Camp on July 28, 2021 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

In the pass-happy NFL, Jerry Jacobs game is centered around physicality that he uses to his advantage. In a rebuild, teams need a player like Jacobs to come along. They need to find a player that turns heads and grows. Jerry Jacobs has turned heads and has shown he fits into the Lions future.

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In what has been kept under lock and key, Boba Fett is getting a special on Disney +

It is no secret to Star Wars fans that Boba Fett is a huge fan favorite. Fett is also the greatest Bounty Hunter the Star Wars Universe has ever seen. Thought to be left for dead in the Sarlacc Pitt on the the sands of Tatoonie, Boba Fett made his triumphant return to Star Wars, in Disney +’s The Mandalorian. The Disney streaming channel is set to launch The Book of Boba Fett, December 29, 2021.

BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 15: Actor Temuera Morrison is photographed for Self Assignment on February 15, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Nicolas Guerin/Contour by Getty Images)

History and Legacy, that is what Disney + is centering the Boba Fett special (no official title has been released as of yet,) around. While much is unknown about just what the show will focus on other than history and legacy, it is fair to say we should be getting some familiar Star Wars characters to go along with Boba Fett, as Disney likes to do.

Temuera Morrison, who portrayed Jango Fett in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy and Boba Fett (his cloned son) in The Mandalorian, will also be staring as the younger Fett in the special. It is not known at this time if the story will be told in flashback time or real time with flashbacks. Also what is not known at this time is if The Mandalorian character and Fett’s right hand helper Fennec Shand, will appear. While Fennec will be in the Book of Boba Fett.

So when is this, Boba Fett’s History and Legacy special getting released? It is rumored to be November 12, 2021. This will be a primer for December 29 when the Book of Boba Fett releases.

MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 15: A Boba Fett figure is exhibited at the ‘Star Wars Exhibition’ at Telefonica flagship store on December 15, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Eduardo Parra/Getty Images)

Also, a nice bit of rumored information, at the conclusion of Boba Fett’s special there will be a trailer for The Book of Boba Fett. It could be during the after credits so do not stop streaming or you will miss the trailer.

Late fall/ early winter is shaping up to be a very happy time for Star Wars fans everywhere.

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2021-22 Detroit Red Wings season preview: The Wings are coming

The Detroit Red Wings lead by General Manager, Steve Yzerman have been in rebuild mode for a few years. But many of the big pieces for the Red Wings future are in the organizations system. While the 2021-22 Red Wings will not be a playoff team they will show that the rebuild is headed in the right direction. The team will give up fewer goals while earning more wins all by showcasing the teams future.

DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 18: Filip Zadina #11 of the Detroit Red Wings shoots the puck during warm-ups before an NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena on January 18, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

One of the worst kept secrets in the NHL is Steve Yzerman is very good at drafting players. Yzerman is so good at drafting that during his time as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s GM he sped up a long rebuild. Fast forward to Detroit, where Yzerman has you guessed it, sped up the Red Wings rebuild by simply drafting well.

Yzerman is putting on a “how to” rebuild clinic. The past three season have been and brutal ones as far as on-ice product and production go. That has been by design. As Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings scouting department have gone to work. Now the trajectory of the roster and management are on the uptick.

The 2021-22 Detroit Red Wings will give a clear look into the future. As Yzerman has been collecting pieces as well as prospects and trades for the past few years that will begin to show fruit this season.

For this reason the Red Wings will show improvement. It will not be eye-popping, no playoffs or competing for the Stanley Cup, the Red Wings will show more competitiveness as a result they should show a jump in the standings to demonstrate the organizations improvements.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 22: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) during the second period of a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 22, 2019, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

I understand, Detroit Red Wings fans do not want to go through another long season. That is what the 2021-22 season will be as far as wins losses go. However, this season should be the last long one for  a while.

Steve Yzerman has done a masterful job at rebuilding the Detroit hockey team, it is about to pay off in big ways.

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Fourth round draft pick, Derrick Barnes is set for a larger role with the Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions General Manager, Brad Holmes continues his purge of former Lions GM Bob Quinn’s roster. This time linebacker Jamie Collins has one foot out of town as the Lions announced they are shopping the linebacker and looking for a trade partner. Enter fourth round draft pick Derrick Barnes, the former Purdue Boilermaker is set to make a bigger impact on the Lions starting Sunday.

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 27: Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during the Detroit Lions vs Indianapolis Colts preseason game on Friday August 27, 2021 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions are not only one of, if not the youngest teams in the NFL, are set to get both younger and more athletic with Derrick Barnes in the lineup. Jamie Collins is a good linebacker, this is not a slam on him. Collins simply does not fit the vision of the Detroit Lions front office and coaching staff.

Derrick Barnes enjoyed a standout preseason. So much so that he left both fans and the Lions coaching staff to wonder what more he could offer. Now he gets his chance. It appears that Barnes will play most if not all the Lions base defensive packages. Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin will enter games in nickel situations.

Other than his speed and explosiveness to the point of contact, Barnes’ ability to drop back in coverage, is what the Detroit Lions coaching staff likes about the young Barnes who is also a film junkie, he studies opposing teams and then applies what he finds during film sessions.

For the Detroit Lions who are rebuilding, and adding more speed and athleticism to the roster, giving Derrick Barnes a chance to show what he can do in an expanded role is what is best for both player and organization.

Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions had a very solid 2021 NFL draft. To date six players drafted have all seen playing time. This is what Holmes has been known for.

Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) reacts after a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game between the Detroit Lions and the Indianapolis Colts in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

As for Derrick Barnes, his time has come. It is up to him to show he can stick in a larger role. Popular thought is he will.

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The Michigan Wolverines football team has put the Big Ten on notice

It is not the fact the Michigan Wolverines football team has started the season 3-0. They have done that often over the past few seasons. In fact Michigan has looked good enough to beat anyone the past few seasons and then cracks in the foundation appear and the football team falls back to earth. The start of this season feels different, it feels different because it is.

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 28: Christian Turner #3 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his third quarter touchdown with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh brought in new coaches to help breathe life into the football program. The moves are paying off. Michigan’s defense looks like well Michigan again. The offense looks unstoppable.

The Michigan Wolverines running game is moving the ball at will. A big credit goes to the offensive line who are blowing would be defenders off the ball and opening running lanes. Critics have said Michigan needs to pass the ball more. In yesterday’s blowout win against Northern Illinois the Wolverines aired it out for 233 yards.

Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, now in his third season of play calling has found his groove. When Gattis arrived in Ann Arbor from the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, he insisted Michigan’s offense would resemble Alabama’s in terms of getting speed in space.

It has taken the Wolverines two seasons to get here, but now players and coaches are on the same page. Michigan is getting players in space and allowing athleticism and speed to do damage. Making the Wolverines look like one of the Big Ten Conference’s better teams.

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 18: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to get around the tackle of Eric Rogers #12 of the Northern Illinois Huskies during the first half
at Michigan Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Sure the schedule as some tough games upcoming. If this was last season or the one before it would be sketchy at best to think Michigan could beat a Penn State or Ohio State. Now it seems like the Wolverines can win those games.

From week one to yesterdays win, Michigan is opening the offensive playbook more. They have established a dominate running game. Now they are getting the passing game cranked up. Meanwhile the Wolverines defense is stout and looks to be ready for stiffer competition.

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San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions game recap

There was bad, there was awful, there was some good sprinkled in and a rally that fell short. Just like that the Detroit Lions 2021 home and season opener came and went. The Lions had eight new players on offense and four newcomers on defense. The team also have a new head coach and coaching staff and a new general manager. No other NFL team has undergone more substantial changes.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 12: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Ford Field on September 12, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Let’s dive right into the bad. I mean there is no sugarcoating it. The Lions defense is bad. Bad may be a kind word to use. Former Lions head coach Matt Patricia was viewed as one of the problems of the defense. That simply is not entirely true. The Lions gave up 31 first half points to the 49ers.

New Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff looked, well bad and lost at times. To be fair the Lions roster is void of playmaking wide receivers. Still Goff is a good deep ball passer and did not attempt very many deep passes.

Some good news 2021 Detroit Lions draftee Derrick Barnes played well. The young linebacker played well and made some very nice tackles. Barnes looks like a player who should see more playing time until he cracks the starting lineup. If he continues to play well his time should come quickly.

One unit that was viewed as the Lions strength lived up to the billing. The offensive line. They opened running space for the backs. The Lions ran for 116 yards a marked improvement over the past several seasons. Second year player Jonah Jackson and rookie Penei Sewell stood out. Both players held their own vs a 49ers defense that is one of the leagues best.

ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN – JULY 28: Detroit Lions head football coach Dan Campbell speaks with the media before the Detroit Lions Training Camp on July 28, 2021 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Lions had a late flurry and almost pulled off a comeback. The team showed fight and fought until the end. That is something head coach Dan Campbell vowed when he took the head coaching job his team would do.

Rebuilds are not fun and losses mount. But if the Detroit Lions can come away with positives and fight until the end, the losses will be easier to take.