While many Blue Jackets headed to the tropics, the desert or the Olympics over the past 24 hours, general manager Scott Howson packed his bags for a scouting trip this week through several small Canadian towns.

While many GMs are looking to add talent for a stretch drive toward the Stanley Cup playoffs, Howson expects to be unloading players.

“It’s a gray area, but we’re probably leaning more toward being sellers,” Howson said. “Nothing is final yet.

“It is difficult for all of us, yes, because we didn’t expect to be in this situation. But that’s the reality. You have to make the most of it.”

The Blue Jackets are nine points behind eighth-place Calgary for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, with 19 games remaining.

Yes, they’ve looked more resilient and energetic in five games under interim coach Claude Noel (3-1-1), but the Jackets would need a record of 16-2-1 or 16-3-0 the rest of the way to even sniff the postseason.

They’d need to pass six clubs — Minnesota, St. Louis, Anaheim, Detroit, Dallas and Calgary — which might be the tougher task.

Click here to read the full article – By Columbus Dispatch

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When he arrived in Cleveland, Shaquille O’Neal made it clear there would be no more double-teaming Orlando’s Dwight Howard.

He’d handle things himself, as he did Thursday night. Oh, and he wants his cape back.

“I don’t really consider it manning up until you play me straight up,” O’Neal said. “I’ve never doubled anybody. So you tell me who the real Superman is.”
LeBron James had 32 points and 13 assists as the Cavaliers — with a big fourth-quarter defensive effort from O’Neal — matched their franchise record by winning their 13th straight game with a 115-106 victory over the Magic.
It was a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference finals, and both teams are again on top of the East this year, but O’Neal, who had 10 points and six rebounds on Thursday, has made a huge difference for Cleveland.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

There are 18 skaters, and then there is the goalie, who lives on an island. He is detached from the X’s and O’s. He has his own position coach. Although he is intrinsically tied to the fortunes of his team, he stands alone on his own merit.

“Hitch always supported me,” Mason said. “I liked him as a coach, and I’ll never say anything bad about him.”

In fact, Mason said he shares the responsibility for getting Hitchcock fired. And he does. Pre-Noel, Mason was 13-18-6 with a goals-against average north of 3.10 and a save percentage south of .895. He had given up five or more goals seven times. This is the guy who won the Calder Trophy and finished second in the Vezina voting last year.

Now, he’s back — at least, it sure looks that way. The Jackets last night beat the San Jose Sharks, the top team in the Western Conference, 3-0. Mason stopped each of the 40 shots he faced and posted his second shutout in three games.

Since Noel took over, Mason is 3-0 with 90 saves on 91 shots. The one goal he gave up came on a tip that popped up, hit Jake Voracek’s leg and snuck in on a lark.

What is different, other than the coach?

“I can’t explain it,” Mason said.

But he can. He now admits that, without a stint in the American Hockey League, he did not have an adequate grasp of what it takes to be a professional. He says he needed to learn how to carry himself, to prepare and to handle adversity. It took time.

Click here to read the full article – By Michael Arace of Columbus Dispatch

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Indianapolis Colts All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney says the pain in his sprained right ankle is subsiding and he still hopes play in Sunday’s Super Bowl.


Freeney said Wednesday that in addition to using an oxygen tent, he has been walking barefoot and in the Florida sand to strengthen the ankle.

It appears to be working.

Though it’s been a slow progression, Freeney says the ankle feels a little better each day.

One other Colts starter, cornerback Jerraud Powers, also is questionable with a left foot injury. Coach Jim Caldwell said Powers is improving but he may not practice until later this week.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

One month and one day from the NHL trade deadline, all signs point to Blue Jackets left winger Raffi Torres being traded to a playoff contender in exchange for draft picks or prospects.

As of yesterday, the Blue Jackets and Torres’ agent, Eustace King, had not discussed, even preliminarily, a contract extension that would prevent Torres from becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1.

When asked whether he was frustrated by the lack of progress toward a new deal, Torres said: “I want to stay here and play hockey here. I’m very happy here in Columbus.

“To be honest, I have to stop thinking about (a contract extension) and just worry about what’s happening on the ice. I don’t feel like I’ve been playing my best hockey for the last couple of weeks or so.”

The Blue Jackets, who play the Colorado Avalanche at 9 tonight in the Pepsi Center, would like to keep Torres, too, but money likely will be an issue.

Click here to read the full article – By Columbus Dispatch

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