The Cannon Balls Podcast

S1 E33 The Columbus Blue Jackets will unveil a new "Hometown Remix" sweater that they say is silver -- but, wait, isn't it grey? Come on. Confederate gray for the Union Blue? A strange choice, host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com believes. Aaron Portzline is back to serve as a voice of reason, per usual. We discuss the forward new lines, the old (anemic) offense and the upcoming schedule. And more. #cbj #nhl #goavsgo #50shades

S1 E32 For good or ill, Owen, Timothy and Matthew Arace came out of the womb as Blue Jackets fans. In their formative years, they were known within the household as a collective, the "Reign of Terror." In this latest Reign edition of Cannon Balls, two of the three members are on hand -- but that is more than enough to flame their favorite team. They see little other than pain ahead, and they explain why to their dimming old man, host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com. #cbj #nhl #halloweeen

S1 E31 The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, the Alec Baldwin of the Cannon Balls podcast, is back to talk about a struggling Columbus Blue Jackets team with host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com. Sure, it's early. But can fans ever trust this team? The Jackets are coming off back-to-back losses, including an embarrassment in front of their home crowd, and coach Rick Bowness has been using practice time to whip the special teams into shape and try to wrench some emotion out of his players. The forward lines have been shuffled. Wherefore Luca Del Bel Belluz? Is Denton Mateychuk talking extension? Will Kirill Marchenko get booed upon his return to Nationwide? #cbj #torontomapleleafs #nhl #floridapanthers

S1 E30 Columbus Blue Jackets television analyst Jody Shelley joints host Michael Arace of The Disrespected on the latest Balls. We talk about the front office effort to get fans to lodge complaints with DirecTV. Mostly, though, Jody has insights into the #cbj "extended training camp," the formation of the forward lines, and establishing chemistry. And so forth. How will Big Val and Matthew Knies impact the offense? And so forth. A crackling conversation.

S1 E29: Aaron Portzline of The Athletic rejoins host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com the morning after the Columbus Blue Jackets opened their season with a 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at the Nationwide Arena. Matthew Knies, acquired in a blockbuster deal from the Toronto Maple Leafs that had Kirill Marchenko going the other way, had two goals and an assist in his CBJ debut. Porty and I get into the training camp that was, what may be ahead, and much more. #cbj #torontomapleleafs #leafs #sabres #nhl

S1, E28: Aaron Portzline of The Athletic joins host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com to talk about what the Columbus Blue Jackets/NHL have conjured after the death of regional sports networks -- the Blue Jackets Hockey Network. Also, and once again, we pose the question that ends every #CBJ conversation these days: When will the Adam Fantilli contract be done?

S1 E27: The contract negotiations between the Columbus Blue Jackets and top center Adam Fantilli are still crawling along. The Jackets are saving money by getting rid of their radio voice because it's a trend. How long will Elvis Merzlikins be out after shoulder surgery? Good question. ... Aaron Portzline of The Athletic is back with host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com to finish up with the summer housework. #CBJ #NHL #TheDisrespected

S1 E26: The Athletic's Aaron Portzline is back with host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com to talk about how the Columbus Blue Jackets, as an organization, are taking a dive into a pool of bad juju. Most of the conversation surrounds the soul-damaging axing of longtime radio voice Bob McElligott, and how it fits into an evolving sports-media landscape. We also pay homage to CBJ insider Jeff Svoboda, a true ambassador for the team, who also got axed. #cbj #nhl #sportsradio #theathletic #disrespectedmedia

Mike Cornell, who has been battling a rare form of cancer for nearly a decade, doesn't know how much more time he has left. He has been a fan of the Crew and the Blue Jackets since the formation of both franchises. With host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com, he reflects on devoting some of his passion for life to sports. He uses "fan" as a verb, says, "You've got to fan HARD." We need more Mike Cornells in our lives. What a delightful human being. #cbj #crew96 #cancer

S1 E24: Aaron Portzline of The Athletic joins host Michael Arace of TheDisrespected.com for some mid-summer house cleaning. Is there an offer sheet for Adam Fantilli looming (not likely)? Jarmo Kekalainen invites John Davidson to join the Buffalo Sabres front office (sounds familiar). Why are pending restricted free agents hesitant to negotiate contract extensions (money)? There's a new All-Star Game format (nobody cares). And much more ... #cbj #nhl