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With the Stanley Cup Champion crowned, the Columbus Blue Jackets offseason officially begins

First a congratulations go out to the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning back-to back Stanley Cups. With that, the Columbus Blue Jackets offseason now begins with some questions and some clues as to how President of Hockey Operations John Davidson and General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen will navigate in the coming days, weeks and months.

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 12: Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Andrew Peeke (2) passes the puck during the third period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 12, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

One nice thing that the Columbus Blue Jackets have done is fill out newly named head coach Brad Larsen’s coaching staff. Sylvain Lefebvre and Pascal Vincent have been named assistants. Filling out the staff allowed for more time to plot for the 2021 NHL Draft including who they will protect and expose in the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken to choose from.

As for Davidson and Kekalainen, they must and most likely are doing their part in going over trade packages for defensive standout Seth Jones who informed the team that he would like to test the free agent market which is absolutely his right. The Blue Jackets can receive a big haul for Jones but it must be a haul that fills a need. Either another top defensive player or a top line center should be the targets.

One very good thing the Columbus Blue Jackets have going for them is salary cap space. No matter retool or rebuild the Blue Jackets can speed it up with three first round draft picks and cap space. In what is only a guess on my end, this is what the Blue Jackets will do. Sign players, trade players to reshape the roster.

COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 27: The cannon fires before the start of a NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena on April 27, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

If the Blue Jackets use all three first round draft picks that to me spells rebuild. If they trade one or two of the picks that to me spells retool. Not much separates a retool from a rebuild other than in a retool a team is adding players to an already existing roster. A rebuild is a sell off on most of the current roster and starting basically from scratch which takes a bit longer.

It is an exciting time to be a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets. This will be a very interesting offseason.

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Vacations are necessary

As summer gains momentum, vacation season gains momentum. I do not know about you, but after the year we have all been through I am ready for a vacation. Just a break. Both mental and physical. I mean all things considered I am good mentally. Physically is a different story, but relax I will not bore you with the details. Vacations are more than just a break from the day to day grind, here’s why.

CHICAGO – JULY 22: High winds continue to push the waters of Lake Michigan over the base of the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois on July 22, 2019. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

No matter if you work a job and when you come home you are brain-drained or work a job that demands a lot of physical motions it is important to relax and give your body a break, for more than a regular two day weekend. The brain and body need time off to catch a break and just be.

Vacations also allow us to see another part of the location we choose. It gives us a break from the same old, same old. Sometimes the cities and suburbs we live in can seem like a four walled house. It is nice to get out and get away.

COVID 19, did not allow for social gatherings. I am not a huge fan of gathering with strangers, but maybe I will get over that and embrace what I once did not. I am not opposed to people mind you, I go to farmers markets and other events where there are people. But a different place is slightly different when being with large crowds.

When I do go on vacation I seem to always wind up on a lake or ocean or some form of body of water. Why? It is pretty simple. I find water relaxing. I swim, but I am not a huge swimmer. I sit on the beach or next to a pool and in those simple moments I find that is when I am able to relax and refocus.

1980s ANONYMOUS SILHOUETTED SHRIMP BOAT RETURNING IN ORANGE SUNSET (Photo by W.Metzen/ClassicStock/Getty Images)

As I am set to head out tomorrow on vacation, I am actually looking forward to the drive, stopping for gas and food. It is the little things that after last year I will not take for granted again.

I am looking forward to a week on the beach.

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Opinion: Kylo Ren should have taken the Skywalker name

For a movie with some good potential Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, turned out to be mostly disappointing. Not only was it disappointing as a film but to the end of the Skywalker arc. For me the most disappointing moment and one that quite frankly irritated me the most was this scene right here:

Rey Skywalker. REY SKYWALKER!!! What in the world! While it may make some sense it did not make total sense. In my opinion it should not have happened. If anyone should have taken the Skywalker name it should have been Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo.

My reasoning for Kylo Ren who became Ben Solo during the course of the movie and became redeemed like his grandfather Darth Vader for taking the Skywalker is because it was his bloodline.

The story was the Skywalker families. Not a person who took a name that she had no connection to. Ben Solo who was the child of Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa, who as it turns out was a Skywalker, it would have helped the story to have Ben Solo take the Skywalker name.

Even if Ben Solo still died he would have done so a Skywalker like his grandfather before him. This would have better connected the story as well as have Ben Solo embrace his true self.

Taking the Skywalker name would have had a deeper impact had a redeemed Kylo Ren taken it as his own name. I think this would have helped the Sequel Trilogy that turned out to be a bit of a mess.

It also would have be better to take for the Star Wars fan base and not help send it into a fury of anger and disappointment. For a movie that had a pretty solid opening scene Rey taking the Skywalker name was the final nail in the coffin to the Trilogy that most fans want to forget.

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Columbus Blue Jackets: pros and cons of bringing Nick Foligno back

At the end of the 20014-15 HL season Nick Foligno was named captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Foligno would remain as captain until he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a first round draft pick this past NHL regular season. A fixture both on the ice and in the community in Columbus made Nick Foligno a popular figure. As his contract will expire when the Stanley Cup Champion is crowned there has been some chatter the former captain could sign with the Blue Jackets.

VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 8: Nick Foligno #71 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena March 8, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)”n

Recently Columbus Blue Jackets, General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen and President of Hockey Operations, John Davidson both said that todays NHL is a “young mans league.” So the question is would the Blue Jackets really choose to bring back a 33 year old  Foligno?

There have been players who have served as captain longer than Foligno did for the Blue Jackets. One thing to remember is that being captain of a team is hard work. Players need to constantly reinvent there approach to leadership. In other words they can not allow their voice to become stale.

At 32 years old Cam Atkinson can be a veteran leader as can 31 year old Gustav Nyquist. Being a young mans league two players 30ish years old is probably the max a team should carry in order to allow younger players the ice time they need.

Nick Foligno and his family have said they love Columbus, Ohio. He also said after he was traded to Toronto he would strongly consider signing with the Blue Jackets after the season.

WINNIPEG, MB – APRIL 22: Nick Foligno #71 of the Toronto Maple Leafs keeps an eye on the play during second period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on April 22, 2021 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)

It is my opinion for a franchise on the cusp of a rebuild, that a new voice and new leader is needed. Nick Foligno will always have a special place in the hearts of Blue Jackets fans. He will surely be cheered whenever he comes back in town with the team he plays for.

Again it is my opinion that a new captain is needed as a new dawn of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey is set to embark.

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Father’s Day 2021

I can not believe it is here again. Father’s Day, the day to celebrate dad (or the father figure in your life.) This year is a bit more “normal” than last year. This year not only do I get to see my dad, but I get hangout time as well. That is something I will never take for granted again as the global pandemic continues to be further and further behind us I am grateful to see my dad for an extended time.

I took many of the lessons my dad taught me or showed me from leading by example to navigate through the pandemic. Keeping a level head, continue to follow the leadership both local and national and the recommendations they gave.

I was blessed to stay healthy and working the entire time. I also had a job change due to health issues. I believe that is due to both listening and obeying God, my dad as well as government officials.

I took all the steps necessary that would lead to being able to be reunited with my dad on Father’s Day including getting vaccinated. A day I quite frankly had taken for granted for decades. It is so true, you don’t know what you’ve got ’till it’s gone.

I hosted a Memorial Day cookout and my mom and dad came to my house. It was a great day! But, if you are like me that was a much too short day. Not to mention I had other family members come over so my attention was not solely focused on one person.

The reason I am so excited to be able to hangout with my dad, is we are both older. I have no idea how long either of us have left on this earth. God holds the days, I just live them with gratitude.

This year giving my dad a Father’s Day gift will mean a little more, but it is only a small token of the love and deep appreciation I have for my dad.

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Star Wars: Darth Plagueis

To die hard Star Wars fans they know exactly who Darth Plagueis is a Sith Lord who craved immortality. To the casual Star Wars fan they may not have the needed information on this rather pivotal character. Yet the casual fan remembers this iconic scene from Star Wars:  Revenge of the Sith………..

Plagueis, believed the secret to everlasting life laid in science. So he worked hand and hand with his apprentice, Sheev Palpatine. The two worked endlessly to be able to  manipulate midichlorians to create life.

Palpatine was hand picked by Plagueis as a human from Naboo. He felt Palpatine would be an excellent apprentice. It was under the teaching of Plagueis that Darth Sidious was born anew as a Sith.

It was during the time working together that Palpatine learned the rule of two. So that is something happened to the master there was a backup ready to step into the leader role.

What should be noted about the Sith is they crave power. Not just power but to be sole ruler and not share with anyone else. It could be possible the Palpatine knew Plagueis would come for him on Naboo and began to plan to overthrow the legendary Sith Lord early on.

Plagueis did learn the trick to life that does not end as we find in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine took the teaching and survived his own death in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Darth Plagueis’s impact on the Star Wars universe can not be under or over stated. It started a long time ago and continues to this day in the universe. My hope is that Disney/Lucasfilm gives Plagueis his due and offers a film or streaming show.

He is such a captivating figure and has a deep reaching impact on all of Star Wars.

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With a top line center, Columbus Blue Jackets LW, Patrik Laine should rebound in a big way

It was an uncharacteristically underachieving season for Columbus Blue Jackets Left Wing (LW) Patrik Laine. Laine who’s production has never been an issue until he was traded to the Blue Jackets found himself in a rut that he simply could not get out of. Be it the trade, the pandemic, new teammates or whatever was the root cause, Laine himself said he has to be better and vowed to be better next season.

COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 7: Patrick Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena on February 7, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Sure the Columbus Blue Jackets were rumored to be trading Patrik Laine. I do not believe that is the case now. I say that because Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, and new head coach Brad Larsen have both said recently they want to put better talent around him. That does not sound like there is an intention to trade.

Not to mention why would the Columbus Blue Jackets trade the young Finnish LW? Since coming into the NHL in 2016 Laine’s goals are 36, 44, 30, 20, 12. I understand it is the 12 (between Winnipeg and Columbus) that jumps off the screen. Stop it! Patrik Laine is a pure goal scorer. A sniper in the truest since of the word.

One reason I am able to envision a turnaround for Laine is the Columbus Blue Jackets need, no make that really need a top line center. By all accounts Kekalainen has made that one of the biggest goals this offseason.

That name more than any other that has been attached to the Blue Jackets is disgruntled Buffalo Sabers center Sam Reinhart. Reinhart would be a great fit for the Blue Jackets as top center. Reinhart scores 20+ goals with regularity and his playmaking ability would push the Blue Jackets top line into a very solid group.

A top line of Laine-Reinhart- Bjokstarnd would give the Blue Jackets serious firepower (pun and no pun intended) from the top line. Oliver Bjorkstand is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of, scoring a career high 18 goals last season, yet the right wing (RW) can give even more.

COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 11: Patrik Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on March 11, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

To recap, the Columbus Blue Jackets need Patrik Laine. He is simply to good to simply trade away. With the right center his numbers will return. Does Columbus want him to do it with another team? I do not think so.

 

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Star Wars Father’s Day gift ideas

It’s coming this Sunday. Father’s Day, if your like me the celebratory day for dad’s sneaks up on you. Perhaps it is because Father’s Day comes on the heals of Memorial Day. Perhaps it is because life is busy and I and others simply lose track. Whatever the reason, there is no need to stress or freak out. If your dad is a Star Wars fan you really have time.

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 21: A guest wears a white t-shirt with a picture of Star Wars print, , outside Berluti, during Paris Fashion Week – Menswear Spring/Summer 2020, on June 21, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

While T-Shirts have replaced the tie as “THE” Father’s Day gift, there are other options for dad’s. I means sure a shirt is nice. How about instead of just a T-Shirt thrown in a gift bag try maybe getting a Star Wars coffee mug and rolling the shirt up and putting it in the mug is a better presentation of your love for your dad or father figure.

What to do if dear old dad does not like coffee and has so many T-Shirt’s his dresser drawer barely closes. Maybe pick up a nice Star Wars print. This would look good in dad’s office or his mancave. If mom allows maybe even a small spot somewhere in the house. He may need to use a Jedi mind trick for that to happen.

What may make dad feel special is have a Star Wars bobblehead head made with his likeness. What you say? Is that possible? It is and it’s a pretty cool idea. While it is a little pricy, maybe a brother or sister or both can help chip in. Or take it to mom and hope the Force is with you.

Darth Vader poses for photographers at the end of the screening of US director George Lucas’ film “Star Wars : Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”, 15 May 2005 at the 58th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival. The seminal sci-fi saga “Star Wars” comes to a rousing close 15 May when the final episode in the six-part series gets its international premiere at the Cannes film festival. The Cannes film festival, the world’s top showcase of cinema, started 11 May with a slew of veteran auteurs lining up for the prestigious Palme d’Or prize, and Hollywood muscling in to promote this year’s blockbusters.
AFP PHOTO PASCAL GUYOT (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP) (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)

If your like me then art is the way to go. Star Wars offer many different art of books. These books bring Star Wars to life in a different way. The books also offer insight to the thinking of design concepts and show the evolution of going from the drawing board to the big screen.

There are many other Star Wars gift ideas I did not even approach. So relax, you’ve got this. Get dad something he likes and show him some love.

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What kind of prospect do the Columbus Blue Jackets have in Samuel Knazko

This past Wednesday the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that they had signed 2020 third round draft pick Samuel Knazko to a three year entry level contract (ELC.) The 18 year old defenseman is from Slovakia and promises to bolster the Blue Jackets blueline soon. What kind of player is Samuel Knazko? A closer look shows he can be an impact player.

EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 02: Brett Berard #21 of the United States skates against Samuel Knazko #20 of Slovakia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinals at Rogers Place on January 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

There is a lot to like in  Samuel Knazko game. Knazko’s skating is very good, he has great hands and a very good shot that makes him a natural for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The young defenseman has excellent eyes and his passes are on point. Knazko is not afraid to make back-handed passes which sets him apart from most defensive players.

Samuel Knazko was the captain of the Slovakian team at this years World Juniors Turney. While a short and I do mean short start to his U.S. hockey career is likely to start in Cleveland with the Monsters. Columbus Blue Jackets fans can expect to see Knazko in Columbus very soon.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 23: Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen meets with the media following the NHL General managers Meetings at the Bellagio Las Vegas on June 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Columbus Blue Jackets under general manager Jarmo Kekalainen’s time with the organization has drafted defensive players that can move the puck up ice with some offensive ability as well as be able to quarterback the power play. Samuel Knazko fits that bill.

With the Blue Jackets rumored to be trading Seth Jones, Knazko becomes an important figure the future of the defensive unit. He has the ability to be a top 6 player for Columbus.

In review, young Samuel Knazko is a defensive player with a lot of up-side. He should fit seamlessly in the Blue Jackets blueline once the team feels he is ready for NHL competition. Again, that should be sooner than later. Columbus Blue Jackets fans will like the young Knazko’s all around game.

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The Book of Boba Fett will incorporate flashback scenes

Veteran Star Wars actor Temuera Morrison who in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy portrayed Bounty Hunter (and clone templet) Jango Fett and now stars on The Mandalorian as fan favorite Boba Fett. The character is returning this December in the hotly anticipated Book of Boba Fett on Disney +. Morrison gave a hint at what the show will feature.

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)

As with anything Star Wars actors and actresses are not allowed to give out much details if any at all. That is unless given permission by the right people. The Book of Boba Fett has fans waiting anxiously.

When Temuera Morrison let the cat out of the bag that the show will feature flashbacks all the way back to The Empire Strikes Back and will lead up to where fans first saw him in Season 2 of The Mandalorian.

While that was a nice wet the appetite boarding juicy detail, it still leaves a lot of questions. The main questions Star Wars fans have is will a flashback show the legendary Bounty Hunter fly out of the Sarlaac Pit in which he fell into in Return of the Jedi.

What fans need to remember about Boba Fett, is that he fell out of love with the Empire after they left him for dead which has been hinted at on The Mandalorian. Much like Darth Maul who fell out of love with the Sith, so much so he ditched the Darth and went by just Maul.

It will be interesting to see what details are in the flashback scenes and just how far they go back. Not to mention how they link together with the present when we first see Fett.

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)

Boba Fett goes on to run a successful Bounty Hunter syndicate which I believe is what was set up when Fett sat on the thrown of Jabba the Hutt. Let’s hope that is how the show goes because then it opens the door for Star Wars characters like Asajj Ventress.