Great series of road games for the Blue Jackets last week.  In the first two sunshine state matches the Jackets earned 3 of 4 possible points with a regulation tie/shootout loss against Tampa Bay and an overtime win over Florida.  They followed up with a 5-2 win at St. Louis.  Both of the wins were notable for the Jackets overcoming two goal deficits in each game.  The overall quality of play was much improved during this road swing. 

 

The Jackets improved their record to 23-20-5 (five points behind the 8th place playoff mark).  But because of the logjam in the Western Conference standings, they're still tied for 13th place.  So even though the Jackets are close to the playoff mark in points, they still have many teams to vault over.  The only answer is to keep up their momentum by continuing to win.

 

Columbus only has one game this week when they face the (formerly Mighty) Ducks of Anaheim tonight at Nationwide.  Then no games until after Sunday's NHL All-Star Game.

The Blue Jackets got their five-game point streak broken Tuesday night with a 3-2 loss against Anaheim.  A frustrating loss given how well the team played for most of the game.  Another poor start ultimately led to the loss.  Although this poor start was the result of just one unwise hit.  Undersized tough guy Derek Dorsett's hard hit on an Anaheim player three minutes into the game was given a FIVE MINUTE MAJOR PENALTY.  The hit probably deserved a two minute minor.  Or maybe even a four minute double minor.  But the very rarely called five minute major was excessive.   

 

The reason I capitalized FIVE MINUTE MAJOR PENALTY is this: In both types of penalties, the penalized team is forced to play one man down for the given time period (the other team has a "power play").  But there's a big difference between minor and major penalties.  If the power play team scores a goal during a minor penalty, then the penalty is ended and the teams are at even strength again.  But if the power play team scores a goal during a major penalty, then the penalty is not ended.  The power play team can score an unlimited amount of goals during a five minute major penalty FOR THE FULL FIVE MINUTES.  And that is exactly what Anaheim did against the Jackets.  Anaheim scored twice.  And those two goals ended up being the margin of victory for the Ducks over the Jackets on Tuesday.  Just frustrating.

 

From today's BlueJacketsXtra:  "The Blue Jackets' 3-1-2 stretch gave them a lift going into the NHL All-Star break.  It's also a sobering example of how tough it is to make up points and leapfrog clubs this late in the season.  On Jan.14, the Blue Jackets were 13th in the Western Conference, seven points behind eighth-place Colorado.  The 3-1-2 stretch pulled them within five points of eighth place, but they slid to 14th place, giving them six clubs to leapfrog to earn the final playoff spot."

 

"(Coach) Arniel noted the difficult path ahead after a loss Tuesday to Anaheim.  The Jackets fell behind 2-0 early, outplayed the Ducks for most of the final 50 minutes but couldn't tie the score.  It was a lesson that moral victories are nothing more than well-packaged losses.  Good can't be good enough in the final 33 games of the season."

After the All-Star break, the Jackets resume at home against the Blackhawks on Tuesday - at the Red Wings on Friday - and back at home Saturday against Edmonton (who are 15 points behind the Jackets in 15th-Dead-Last-Western-Conference-Place).

An excerpt from an excellent season review/playoff projection for the Blue Jackets from Dispatch hockey columnist Michael Arace:

 

Commentary: Jackets' hopes hinge on next 12 games

Saturday, January 29, 2011 

Michael Arace, The Columbus Dispatch

 

The All-Star break is upon us.  The Jackets are 23-21-5, with 51 points.  They are in 13th place in the Western Conference, five points in back of eighth-place San Jose and seventh-place Chicago.  The West is stacked with quality teams, tightly clustered.  Of the 15 teams in the conference, 14 are either holding a playoff position or are within five points of eighth place.  Nine points separate No.4 Nashville from No.13 Columbus.  Only Edmonton is in draft mode.

 

Five points out of eighth with 33 games to go.  This is doable, is it not?  Five points seems a slight spread, but it is not, not in the big picture.  The Jackets have as many points as the 14th-place (next-to-last) team in the conference.  Can they jump five teams?

 

The Jackets racked up 28 points in their first 20 games.  That is an average of 1.4 points.  If they had maintained that pace, they would have netted 115 points - enough to win the division and maybe the conference.  The Jackets squeezed 23 points out of their past 29 games.  That is an average of 0.79.  If they maintain that pace, they will have 77 points and a 14th-place finish in the conference.

 

Who are they, the autumn Jackets or the winter Jackets?  We are about to find out.  They have 12 games remaining before the trade deadline, which is Feb. 28.  If they are the autumn Jackets, they go 9-3 or 7-2-3 and general manager Scott Howson is trading for help down the stretch.  If they are the winter Jackets, they go 5-7 or 4-6-2 and Howson has Jan Hejda, Kristian Huselius, Sammy Pahlsson, Chris Clark, et al. up for bids, and he won't be looking for much in return.

 

MORE: http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/01/29/jackets-hopes-hinge-on-next-12-games.html?sid=101

Another good-but-could-have-been-better week for the Blue Jackets.  The team started with a frustratingly bad 7-4 loss against defending champs Chicago at home.  But then they followed that with one of their best all-around games of the season at Detroit.  With Mason in goal (after being pulled from the Chicago game), the Jackets looked great in a 3-0 win against the division leading Red Wings.  Then the Jackets returned to Nationwide to face the last-place-by-a-mile Edmonton Oilers. 

 

In this must-win game, the Jackets alternately playing terrible, good, terrible again, and eventually great to pull out a 4-3 win.  The Jackets got down 2-0 early but then fought back to tie 2-2 going into the final period.  The Jackets had the momentum but gave up a goal early in the period to trail 3-2.  At that point, alternate captain R.J. Umberger literally put the team on his back.  Umberger scored the tying goal with seven minutes remaining and then set up the game-winning goal on a skillfully gritty assist with four minutes remaining.  The capacity crowd saluted Umberger, a fan favorite.

 

The two wins marginally helped their playoff hopes by moving the Jackets into 13th place.  But a home win over the Blackhawks could have vaulted them over Chicago and Colorado into 11th place - placing them deep in the middle of the playoff hunt.  As it currently stands, the Jackets - despite the good week - are still only at the fringe of the hunt.  Which means that next week's four games could very well determine if Jacket fans get to cheer on a late season playoff run.  Or if they get an early view of the team's young prospects. 

 

The Jackets travel to Pittsburgh on Tuesday to face a talented-but-hurting Penguin team.  Then return to Nationwide for a pair of matches against San Jose on Wednesday and Colorado on Friday.  Then they travel to Dallas on Sunday.

The jackets are still in the hunt but they literally need to treat each game as a must win! I guess we need to root for every eastern conference team when there is interconference play as well.

The jackets are still in the hunt but they literally need to treat each game as a must win! I guess we need to root for every eastern conference team when there is interconference play as well.

Probably so.  And we also need the Jackets wins over Western Conference opponents to be "regulation wins" instead of "overtime wins" or "shootout wins".  A regulation win nets the Jackets 2 points and the opponent 0 points.  Wheras the OT or shootout win nets the Jackets 2 points and the opponent 1 point.  That makes it harder to come from behind in the standings.

 

The Jackets got this week started off right with a big 4-1 win at Pittsburgh.  The Jackets looked really good against a Penguin team that has been playing well but was missing its two best players in Crosby and Malkin.  Mason had 32 saves in goal.  The top line of Nash-Brassard-Voracek combined for two goals.  Umberger continued his hot streak with two assists.

Another good week for the Blue Jackets.  They started with a dazzling 4-1 win at Pittsburgh (described above).  The next night the Jackets played a strong San Jose team at Nationwide.  It was a good-but-not-good-enough game, as the Jackets broke out with a two-goal lead, only to lose the lead and the game 3-2.  The rest of the week saw the Jackets win 3-1 at home against Colorado and 2-1 on the road at Dallas. 

 

The top line of Nash-Brassard-Vorecek got two goals in the Colorado win and one goal in the Dallas win.  The Jackets have now won 5 of their last 6 games and 5 of 7 since the all-star break.

 

The Jackets only have two games this week - but they're very important games.  They play L.A. at home on Wednesday and at Chicago on Friday.  Both teams are ahead of the Jackets in the Western Conference playoff picture.  L.A. is 10th with 65 points, Chicago is 11th with 62 points and Columbus is 12th with 61 points.  Regulation wins over L.A. and Chicago would really help the Jackets playoff push.

This week's two big games have come and gone.  And the Blue Jackets did very well.  Wednesday's home game against the very hot L.A. Kings ended in a regulation tie and shootout loss.  A shootout win would have been better.  But considering what happened in the game - it also could have been much worse.

 

The Jackets suffered an early blow when top line center Derick Brassard suffered a hand injury on the first shift of the game and was lost for the rest of the game.  Later in the first, R.J. Umberger was involved in a mid-ice leg-to-leg collision that left him limping to the bench and then the locker room.  So two of the Jackets top six forwards were out against an L.A. Kings team that was 7-0-2 coming into Nationwide.  Oh, and starting goalie Steve Mason also had bronchitis, so backup goalie Garon was in the net too.

 

The Kings pressed their advantage - going ahead of the Jackets.  But each time the Kings went up by one goal, the Jackets tied it up, not once, not twice, but three times.  The last goal coming with less than two minutes remaining to send the game into overtime.  The Kings ended up winning the shootout after a scoreless overtime.  But the Jackets did salvage one point with the regulation tie - in a game that could have easily been a loss.  Kudos to grinder Derek MacKenzie who filled in for the injured Brassard on the top line.  MacKenzie had two assists to the other top liners Voracek and Nash.  And Rick Nash played like an all-star with a three point game of one goal and two assists.  Now, on to Chicago.

 

The Friday game at Chicago featured two teams desperate for a win to stay in the playoff race.  And both teams played like it.

 

Columbus gets an early first period lead on a breakaway goal from rookie Matt Calvert.  Then Chicago's talented top line combines to give Patrick Sharp two goals within two minutes and take a 2-1 lead into the first break.  In the second period, the Jackets bust the game open with three goals in a six-minute span: power-play goal from Vermette, even-strength goal from MacKenzie and another power-play goal from Stralman.  Chicago's top line scores one more goal to make the game 4-3 going into the second break.  In the third and final period, the Jackets play gritty grinding hockey, survive two Chicago power plays, and hold the defending champs scoreless to win 4-3.  Kudos to Steve Mason, who returned from bronchitis to have a 37 save game.  Kudos at Columbus' iron man, R.J. Umberger, who played in his 221st consecutive game and had two assists.

 

With the regulation tie and regulation win, the Jackets got 3 of 4 possible points against two teams ahead of them in the Western Conference playoff race.  The Jackets are now in an 11th place tie with Chicago and only four points behind the 8th place playoff team.  Actually, they're only four points behind the 6th place team because four teams are tied at 68 points - which shows how insanely tight the Western playoff race is right now.  But if the Blue Jackets keep winning, they'll stay in that race. 

 

Three games next week.  Once again, they're all the Western teams ahead of Columbus in the playoff race.  First, we host Nashville on Tuesday.  Then we host Phoenix on Friday.  Finally, its Nashville again, but on the road on Sunday.  There's almost no margin for error - but the Navy Blazers have a chance to keep climbing the playoff ladder!

The Blue Jackets have one more game later today at Nashville to finish out this week.  But I just had to comment on the first two games at Nationwide Arena.  Two strong wins from a team that's playing its best hockey of the year.

 

On Tuesday, divisional nemesis Nashville faced off with Columbus.  The Preds defensive style and strong goaltending brought a 0-0 score to start the third period.  But then then All-Star Rick Nash decided to take the team to a higher level.  He made a dazzling individual play to give the Jackets their first goal early in the third.  The team followed with goals from Calvert and Vermette on consecutive assists from Russell.  Nash bookended the third period scoring with his second goal of the night for a 4-0 victory.

 

On Friday, Phoenix came into Nationwide riding an eight game winning streak.  Then the Coyotes started by taking a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the game.  But this Blue Jacket team didn't wither away.  Instead, they fought back to score the next five goals en route to a 5-3 victory.  Three goals were from the power play, something that is much improved from the Jackets.  The secondary line of Umberger - MacKenzie - Calvert led the way this time scoring four of the team's five goals.  And young rookie Matt Calvert got three of them.  When he scored a third goal early in the third period, hundreds of hats rained down to the ice.  The hats rained down so long that the Jackets were worried they might get a delay of game penalty!

The Blue Jackets just can't seem to come out on the winning side at Nashville.  It was another low scoring defensive struggle with the Preds.  And the breaks weren't going the Jackets way.  Defenseman Anton Stralman gets injured early in the first period.  He's out for the game and the Jackets must play with only five D's for most of the game.  In the second period the Jackets get a goal disallowed after a very long video review.  But despite that the Jackets take a 1-0 lead into the third period.

 

Then the Preds take a 2-1 lead on two goals in the third.  Then the Jackets tie 2-2 on a power play goal.  It looked like the Jackets might pull off the win when a Nashville penalty gave the Jackets a power play with less then four minutes left.  But the Preds killed off the power play and scored nine seconds after the power play ended with the assistance of their player returning from the penalty box.

The Blue Jackets seem to have had an up and down season, started well, then skidded, and now coming around, but, man, yeah the Predators always seems to have the Jackets' number no matter what.

 

Is fan support still good in Columbus, despite their struggles this season? I know there's a large contingent of Red Wings fans at the arena when the Red Wings come to town, same with some other midwest/northeast teams like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.

^Totally agree with your assessment of the Blue Jackets current season and the team's historic struggles at Nashville.  The Jackets are 0-11-5 in their last 16 games at Nashville - meaning their last win there was in 2006!  As was pointed out in this Dispatch blog, "Since the Blue Jackets last won in Nashville, they've won nine times in Chicago, six times in Dallas and Anaheim (where they play just twice per season), five times in St. Louis and four times in Detroit."  But they just haven't been able to crack Nashville's home ice in recent years.

 

Your assessment of the up and down nature of the current Blue Jackets season could also apply to the franchise's 10-year run.  As an expansion team in 2000, the on-ice play was sub-par.  But the attendance was superb.  They sold out the 18,500 Nationwide Arena for most of 2000-2001.  And when they had arguably their worst team ever in 2001-2002, the arena was 100% sold-out for every game that season.  Tickets sales remained very strong up until the 2004-2005 lockout season.  When the NHL resumed in 2005-2006, the sold-out games were fewer.  Bad taste from the lockout and the "newness factor" wearing off meant that on-ice play was more and more directly impacting the attendance.  And the on-ice play was mediocre at best.  Finally, the Jackets broke through in 2008-2009 season with a 7th place finish and their first playoff berth.  Attendance and excitement surged.  Optimism was high for the 2009-2010 season and was reflected in a surge of season-ticket sales.  Only to have the team plummet to 14th place.  Which is why season-ticket sales for this season fell off and attendance is much weaker this season.  This year's recent run has injected more excitement.  But after previous years, many are taking a wait-and-see approach. 

 

Which is a long way of saying that the fan support is still pretty good in Columbus, but it comes in two slices.  The first is the core-fan support that will buy season-tickets and attend games no matter what.  This probably accounts for 10,000-12,000 per game.  The balance is the bandwagon-fan support.  Which, of course, rises and falls with the team's performance (and also with the strength of the economy - which is currently weak).

At least you guys have Rick Nash, one of the best players in the game today. And you guys have supported the Blue Jackets A LOT more than the infamous short-lived Cleveland Barons. :)

 

Columbus' historic struggles at Nashville sounds very similar to the struggles the Toronto Maple Leafs have every time they visit the HSBC Arena in Buffalo. Since 1996, the Sabres have owned the Leafs there with a record of 29-9-3 since the arena opened in 1996, despite all the fan support and hearty Leaf fans that cross the Peace Bridge. I enjoy it, since I am a partial Sabres fan, but my main team is the RED WINGS!!! It's so funny how some teams never seem to have any luck against certain other teams, it's like a curse or hockey heavens working in mysterious ways.

 

I would love to see a game in Columbus someday, although not this year. That Arena district looks nice :(

 

I agree with what you said about the 2009-10 season, the Jackets started strong, but after a 9-1 loss to Detroit that later led to the firing of Ken Hitchcock, the Jackets have had a roller-coaster time. But I do wish the team the best. I like them better than the sad Atlanta Thrashers!

The NHL's trading deadline has come and gone today.  The Blue Jackets' recent surge turned them from sellers into buyers this year.  As trading deadline buyers, they made one significant move, one minor league swap and one waiver pick-up. 

 

The significant move: KLESLA TRADED FOR LEPISTO, UPSHALL

The Blue Jackets traded defenseman Rostislav Klesla and a minor-leaguer to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for winger Scottie Upshall and defenseman Sami Lepisto.  This is bittersweet trade for long-time fans because Klesla was the last of the original Blue Jackets still with the team. (Klesla was the franchise's first-ever draft pick, taken fourth overall in the 2000 NHL entry draft)  But Klesla was also highly paid, injury-prone lately and a slower-type defenseman that didn't fit into the current team concept.  The Jackets basically acquired two rental players who add reinforcement to the offense and defense for a playoff push. 

 

Here is an analysis of the Klesla trade from Canada's TSN site: NUMBERS GAME: COYOTES AND BLUE JACKETS SWING A DEAL

 

The minor league swap: SESTITO TRADED TO PHILLY

The Blue Jackets last deal today was a minor-league swap -- left winger Tom Sestito to the Philadelphia Flyers for two centers, prospect Michael Chaput and Greg Moore.  This move won't please some because Sestito was an entertaining fan-favorite in his 9 game stint with the Jackets before returning to the minors.  Sestito is a 6'5" fourth-line enforcer who always seemed to make an impact - usually with hits rather than goals.  The Flyers were looking for this type of player in their playoff run and dangled Chaput, a center prospect the Jackets were interested in and Moore, a player who briefly played for the Jackets previously.

 

The waiver pick-up: BLUE JACKETS CLAIM RIVET

The Blue Jackets claimed defenseman Craig Rivet off re-entry waivers from Buffalo last Saturday.  The 36-year-old has been the Buffalo Sabres captain and is in the last year of his contract.  This move added veteran depth to the defense.  It also likely allowed the Klesla deal to take place.  Trading Klesla without having viable veteran reserve would have left the Jackets vulnerable to calling up their unseasoned minor league prospects during a playoff push.

At least you guys have Rick Nash, one of the best players in the game today.

Nash is a key asset for the team.  It was a great sign for the franchise when Nash signed a long-term extension in 2009.  He could have opted against an extension and choose to test the free agent market at the end of this year.  Alot of teams, especially Toronto, would have competed for Nash.  Instead, he signed an extension with a no-trade clause that will keep him a Blue Jacket until 2017-2018.  Nash is still only 26 years old - and he's just reaching his prime years.  Since all-stars like Rick Nash are hard to come by, he is a great cornerstone for the future. 

After going 2-1 last week, the Jackets are still in 12th place.  But they're only four points out of a playoff spot.  And the Jackets have some games in hand against the teams above them.  That's the good news.

 

The bad news is the Jackets are in the middle of their longest road trip remaining in the season.  Including the always difficult road tour of Western Canada.  The Jackets face the top team in the NHL at Vancouver tonight.  Then they face the worst team in the West at Edmonton on Thursday.  And then a team they're fighting for a playoff spot in Calgary on Friday. 

 

The Jackets are at the doorstep of a Western Conference playoff spot.  But they will need to win some tough road games this week to stay in that race.

The Blue Jackets playoff hopes might not be dead after this week's three western Canadian road games.  But they're certainly on life support.  After getting back into the western conference playoff race with an 11-3-3 run, the Jackets dropped all three games this week with a shootout loss at Vancouver, a regulation loss at Edmonton and a regulation loss at Calgary. 

 

These losses haven't completely killed off our playoff hopes.  But though the Jackets are still in 12th place, they are now six points behind the 8th place playoff line.  And they missed some golden opportunities for badly needed points in all three games.  The Jackets played very well at first place Vancouver - and were one shootout save away from gaining an extra point.  The Jackets were quite frankly outplayed by last place Edmonton - a game they needed two points from to help their playoff hopes.  The Jackets played much better at Calgary - but two missed penalty shots and gave up two third period power play goals that swung the game against the Jackets.

 

Columbus has four games next week.  At St. Louis on Monday, St. Louis at home on Wednesday, Los Angeles at home on Friday and then at Carolina on Saturday.  The Blue Jackets have some games in hand against other western conference teams to make up the deficit - but time is running out.

As was said earlier, the Jackets played themselves back into the western conference playoff race with an impressive 11-3-3 run during January and February.  Unfortunately, the Jackets followed that in March with a 0-4-3 stretch.  All the defeats were either one-goal losses or two-goal losses with an empty net goal.  All close matches.  But still no help in the standings.

 

Well, the Jackets playoff hopes are almost completely gone after last week's results.  A shootout loss at St. Louis, an overtime loss against St. Louis at home, a regulation loss against L.A. at home took care of that before the Jackets surprised the eastern conference playoff contending Carolina Hurricanes with a quality win on their home ice. 

 

So, despite the win at Carolina, the Blue Jackets remain in 12th place.  However, the team is now 8 points behind the playoff line in the west - with only 14 games remaining.  Not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs - but leaving only a fantastic winning streak as their only chance for a playoff spot.

 

Another four game week for Columbus.  Starting with the Boston Bruins coming to Nationwide tonight.  Followed by the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.  The Jackets then travel to Minnesota for a Saturday afternoon game and return home to host New Jersey on Sunday.

The Blue Jackets are still mathematically in the Western Conference playoff race.  But after last week's play, they're out of the playoff race in every other way.  The shootout loss to Boston and regulation loss to Detroit early in the week likely ended this year's playoff push.  The Jackets played spoiler with a thrilling 5-4 overtime win at Minnesota.  But then followed up with a weak 3-0 loss against New Jersey.

 

The Jackets are still stuck in 12th place.  With 10 games remaining, they are now nine points out of the 8th place playoff spot.  This week, they travel to Colorado and Phoenix before returning home to face Vancouver on Sunday.

The Blue Jackets are still not mathematically eliminated for the Western Conference playoff race.  But with three more losses last week (one by shootout and two in regulation) the Jackets are just playing out the string until the season ends.

 

Those three losses dropped the Jackets into a tie for 12th place with St. Louis and 11 points behind the 8th place playoff spot.  Four games this week, three games next week and then its season over.

The 2010-2011 Blue Jackets season has mercifully ended.  The season started hopefully with a 14-8-0 record over October and November.  Then it faded with a 9-13-5 record over December and January.  Then it rebounded in February with a 8-3-1 record before the NHL trading deadline.  But then the bottom fell out with a 3-11-7 record in March and April.

 

For the ninth time in the ten seasons of the Blue Jackets history, no playoffs.  After reaching the playoffs two seasons ago and finishing in 14th place last season - this year they finished 34-35-13; 13th place in the Western Conference - only two points better then last season.  Not the level of improvement everyone was hoping for.

 

There were very few roster changes from last season to this season.  It was the coaching staff that was overhauled instead.  Now it looks like its the on-line personnel who face an overhaul this summer.  Some changes have already occurred with one longtime defenseman (Commodore) being demoted to the minors and another longtime defenseman (Kleska) being traded at this season's trading deadline.  The Jackets have 12 expiring contracts (8 unrestricted,  4 restricted) among their 20 roster spots.  So we'll see what transpires over the off-season.

Rider, what's the average attendance for a Blue Jackets game (this season)?

The disappointment of the last two years caused attendance to suffer this year.  According to ESPN, the Jackets averaged 13,350 this season (capacity is 18,136).  Amazingly, the final game against Buffalo last Saturday was a sell out.

It's beginning to look more and more likely that the Atlanta franchise may move to Winnipeg during this off-season.  If that happens, they would need to move from the NHL's Eastern Conference to the Western Conference.  Then, one of the West teams would need to move into the East.  Three West teams would be candidates to move:  Nashville, Detroit and Columbus.  The author of the below article from The Dispatch makes the case for the Columbus Blue Jackets replacing Atlanta in the East's Southeast Division.

 

Jackets' hope rises in East:  If Atlanta moves to Winnipeg, Columbus could fill open slot in Southeast Division

 

Geographically, Nashville makes the most sense for the Southeast Division, which also includes Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay and Washington.  However, Nashville being in the central time zone works against them.  Having most of their road games start at 6:00PM would be bad for local TV ratings. 

 

Detroit and Columbus are the only Western Conference teams located in the east time zone.  Detroit has long been rumored to desire a return to the East.  But the Southeast Division would be poor fit for them.  Additionally, Detroit is big attendance draw in road games in the West.  And if Detroit moved to the East, it would leave 5 of the original six teams in the East instead of the more balanced 4 to 2. 

 

So that leaves Columbus as a compromise choice for the East.  Although not geographically ideal, its a better fit then Detroit.  And it is located in the east time zone.  Plus, a move to the East could revitalize the franchise.  Being in the East would eliminate the multiple brutal road trips against the California teams and Western Canadian teams.  And the fan base would welcome multiple home games against Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Washington. 

 

Personally, I'd love it if the Jackets moved to the East.  But it's just talk right now.  So we'll see what develops over the summer.

A move to the east would be fantastic! The schedule would be much more attractive as far as a gate and competition issue. The jackets have been very competitive against eastern conference opponents.In fact the jackets were second in the western conference behind Detroit in w/l record against the eastern conference last year. As a comparison the jackets were 11-4-3 against eastern conference opponents where as they were 7-9-4 versus northwest division(van,edm,cal,minn,colorado) and 8-11-1 versus pacific division(sj,ana,pho,la,dallas).Actually for the past 4 years the jackets have winning records against the east. 8-7-2(09-10),13-3-2(08-09) and 6-3-1(07-08) and at 500 the 2 years prior.

Blue Jackets’ money woes about to get worse

Business First - by Jeff Bell

Date: Friday, June 17, 2011, 6:00am EDT - Last Modified: Thursday, June 16, 2011, 5:15pm EDT

 

The Columbus Blue Jackets ’ finances will take another hit this year when the team absorbs a 25 percent cut in revenue sharing it has come to depend on from the National Hockey League 

Read more at:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/06/17/jackets-money-woes-about-to-get-worse.html

Yesterday there was two big off-season news items affecting the Blue Jackets.  The first was from the NHL.

 

The NHL announced its upcoming 2011-2012 schedule.  The news affecting the Jackets (other than the schedule itself) is that the former Atlanta/now Winnipeg team will remain in the Eastern Conference/Southeast Division for the next season.  This was not completely unexpected given recent events in Phoenix and recent reporting.  The City of Glendale - where the Phoenix Coyotes team is located - voted to subsize the team $25 million to remain in Arizona for one more year.  If a long term deal to keep the team isn't worked out next year, then its being reported that the Phoenix team would likely move to Quebec for the 2012-2013.

 

If that happens, the NHL could then simply swap Winnipeg into the West and move the Quebec team into the East.  Or they could do a more ambitious realignment.  But whatever happens with the East and West Conferences, it won't happen until 2012-2013. 

 

So at least for next season, the Jackets are staying in the Western Conference.  And Winnipeg will be in the East, with their divisional teams of Washington, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Florida.  Fans are already joking that if Winnipeg uses their old nickname of the Jets, they'll really earn it next year with tons of frequent flyer miles!

The second big news was a trade the Blue Jackets made with the Philadelphia Flyers:

 

Jackets Acquire Jeff Carter from Philly for Voracek, 8th Overall and a Third Rounder

 

The above story is from a blog I've been reading recently called "The Cannon".  Its a good place to start for information because it has links to the trade news from TSN and The Dispatch, as well as career info and analysis on Jeff Carter and reaction from other Jackets hockey blogs and fans.

 

So far, the reaction from most Jackets fans is optimism and excitement.  And I agree.  Jeff Carter is the kind of proven #1 center the Jackets been seeking to pair with Rick Nash.  Carter is a big durable goal scorer who is only 26 years old (same as Nash).  The only risk might be the very long-term contract the Flyers signed him to (under contract until 2021-2022).  But that contract is for a cap-friendly $5 million/year and there isn't a no-trade clause.

 

This was one of three deals the Flyers made yesterday to radically rework their playoff team from last year.  In addition to trading Carter, they also traded the #1 linemate of Carter's and team captain Mike Richards to LA for a player, a prospect and draft pick.  After trading these two highly paid forwards, the Flyers had the cap space to sign free-agent goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to an expensive long-term deal.

 

The Jackets did have to give up 21-year-old Voracek and this year's 1st and 3rd round draft picks to the Flyers.  But for the Jackets, this was all about giving up part of the future for improving the now.  With the talent available in this year's draft, the #8 pick wouldn't help the Jackets for at least 2 years.  Jake is young and fun to watch, but the improvement expected in his game seemed to plateau instead.  Also his rookie contract was expiring and he was due a hefty pay increase.  So the risk to trade for Carter seems right for the Jackets.

 

This likely won't be the last big deal the Jackets make this off-season.  With the offensive needs addressed, the Jackets will now turn to their defensive needs.  They'll be looking to add 1 or 2 top-line defensemen with the talent to run the power-play - probably via free agency.  But this big trade for Carter is a very good start to the off-season for the Jackets!

The Blue Jackets made their second big off-season move by signing defenseman James Wisniewski to a six-year contract just before NHL free agency opened at noon yesterday.  The Jackets gave up a fifth-round draft pick to Montreal to acquire Wisniewski's negotiating rights prior to the July 1st free agency opening.  Yesterday, they closed the deal.

 

The signing of Wisniewski (hereafter refered to as "The Wiz") fills the Jackets need for a top line defenseman who can also run the power play.  The 27-year-old seemed to have a break-through season last year after being traded from the Islanders to Montreal.  He emerged as an all-around player who excelled on the power play - an area of play where the Jackets needed a major upgrade.  For The Wiz this is his first long term contract after bouncing from team to team in his past six NHL seasons.  And he seemed very excited that Columbus agressively went after him prior to the opening of free agency.

 

Blue Jackets: Another big piece in place

Wisniewski signs for six years, $33 million; backup goalie added

 

The signing of The Wiz along with the trade for Jeff Carter addresses to two biggest needs for the Blue Jackets - a top line center and a top line defenseman who can run the power play.  There are no guarantees, but these two moves vastly improve the team's talent level.  Moving Carter and The Wiz into the lineup allows many of last season's roster to play on lower offensive and defensive lines - where they are better suited. 

 

The Jackets still need to prove it on the ice.  But these moves give the fan base much reason to hope.

As per the earlier posts, acquiring top-line center Carter and top-line defenseman Wiz were the big off-season moves for the Jackets.  Here is a run-down of the team's remaining comings and goings after yesterday's opening of free agency. 

 

The Jackets signed goaltender Mark Dekanich to a one-year deal.  He was the number one goaltender for Nashville's minor league team last year and will back up Steve Mason.  Dekanich is 25 years old and a relative bargain at $575,000.  He was highly regarded in a Nashville system that is jam packed with goalie prospects.  However, because he has only one game of NHL experience, his signing is a gamble if Mason struggles.  Former backup Mathieu Garon was signed to a 2-year, $2.6 million deal with Tampa Bay.

 

The signing of The Wiz allowed the Jackets to part ways with defenseman Jan Hejda, who signed a 4-year, $13 million deal with Colorado.  It looks like the Jackets were willing to offer a 3-year deal to the 33-year-old Hejda, but were unwilling to give the fourth year.  It sounds like both the Jackets and Hejda were disappointed to be parting ways - after all, it was GM Howson who signed a then unheralded Hejda to a four-year deal in 2007.  But giving four years to 33-year-old who's slowing down was not going to work for the Jackets.  Can't blame Hejda for taking Colorado's offer.  Good luck to ya Jan.  You were a great Blue Jacket.

 

Scottie Uphsall cashed in with a 4-year, $14 million deal with the Florida Panthers.  Upshall was acquired by the Jackets last year at the trading deadline and played well for the team.  But he was due a big contract upgrade via free agency and overpaying for a lower line forward was not in the cards for the Jackets.

 

The last significant move was the Jackets buying out the remaining two years of defenseman Mike Commodore contract.  After a stellar 2008-2009 season, he was beset with injuries in 2009-2010 and a lack of production in 2010-2011.  Detroit swoped in and signed Commodore to a one-year, $1 million contract.  It really is a shame that Commie couldn't regain his form and work out with the current head coach - after all the Jackets will be paying him 2/3 of his salary per the buyout.  But sometimes a clean break is for the best. 

 

For what its worth, Commie handled last year's demotion to the minors with alot of class.  He could have raised a big stink and made ugly comments to the media - but acted like a professional instead.  His parting comments were very complementary to Columbus - especially noting how much he loved living in the Short North.  Just like Hejda, I wish Commie well.  Both Jan and Commie hold great memories for Blue Jacket fans - they formed the shut-down d-line in the Jackets 2008-2009 playoff year.

 

For more analysis and links go to the Jackets Cannon blog at Shrapnel - 7/2/11 and Jackets Filling Out The Roster.

The Blue Jackets made two more moves to solidify their defense:

 

Jackets Ink Methot to a Four Year Contract

 

Jackets Sign Veteran Defenseman Radek Martinek

 

Marc Methot is 26 years old and was a solid stay-at-home defenseman for the Jackets last year.  He was a restricted free agent coming off a two year contract with the Jackets.  Resigning him for four years helps to replace the loss of Jan Hejda as a top four defenseman in the lineup. 

 

Radek Martinek was signed to a one-year deal.  Martinek has played his entire career with the Islanders and will turn 35 in August.  He's an all-around defenseman with good offensive skills.  His biggest issues are injuries and age.  Although Martinek's injury history is a risk, this one-year deal gives the many defensive prospects in Springfield more time to develop.  And, if healthy, Martinek could combine with Methot for a very solid 2nd d-line.

 

After an active off-season of trades and deals for the Blue Jackets, it looked like the team was done for the summer and set for next season.  Well maybe not. 

 

Blue Jackets winger Kristian Huselius missed over half of last season with associated injuries and needed off-season hip surgery, but was expected to be healthy and available as one of the Jackets top-six forwards in October.  This week the Jackets received news that Huselius suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights last weekend in Sweden.  He had surgery on Thursday in Columbus but he's expected to miss 4 to 6 months.

 

Huselius was thought to be a candidate for the team's top line with Nash and Carter.  Nash and Carter are known as scorers that need the puck - and Huselius is known as a slick-skating set-up man.  A perfect fit for Huselius.  Well, now that's on hold until January.  So the Jackets might be looking for another veteran winger to sign to a one-year deal.  Either that or some the younger Jackets will get more playing time than they figured.

 

More about this at New, Serious Injury For Huselius and Huselius Suffers Major Setback.

With top-six forward Huselius out until January, the Blue Jackets signed Vinny Prospal to a one-year contract.  Prospal is a 36-year-old forward with 14 seasons in the NHL.  Prospal played for the New York Rangers last year.  He missed their first 53 games after knee surgery but finished strong in their final 29 games with 9 goals and 14 assists.

 

With this signing, the Jackets are likely done with their off-season moves.

 

More about the Prospal signing at Versatile Prospal fills need for Jackets and Shrapnel - 7/24/11.

After spending this summer trying to fix the Blue Jackets on-ice problems, it looks like some progress is being made on trying to fix their off-ice issues too.

 

Casino-tax money may help keep Jackets here

By Aaron Portzline, Dispatch Sports

Sunday, August 7, 2011 - 10:06 AM

 

More than two years after going public with their financial problems, the Blue Jackets appear to be in substantive talks toward an agreement that would help offset staggering losses due in part to the club’s lease agreement with Nationwide Arena.

 

It is likely, sources told The Dispatch, that a portion of the revenues generated by the Hollywood Casino Columbus on the West Side will be used to help the Blue Jackets.  No exact dollar figures have been decided.

 

Mayor Michael B. Coleman said he is “considering casino revenues. Having said that, there is no fix yet. That’s as far as I can go right now, but it’s high on my agenda to deal with it. There should be an urgency to this issue.”  City Council President Andrew Ginther agreed that “failure is not an option. We will figure this out. We will find a resolution.”

 

READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/08/07/future-looking-brighter-casino-tax-money-may-help-keep-jackets-here.html

Well, with the acquistion of Jeff Carter, James Wisniewski, and others, you guys should do ok, as long as the chemistry is good with all the players and the team!

 

I'm pulling for the Jackets to do well this coming season for the great hockey fans of Ohio, who have stood by this team through the good times and the bad and deserve better and hope they make the playoffs, and win at least one game in the playoffs, in hopes the team doesn't end up like the late Atlanta Thrashers did.

 

I noticed Columbus' attendance way down this year, just over 13,000, is that just a reflection of the current product on the ice, or are fans kind of starting to get a bit impatient?

Last season's attendance definitely took a big hit.  I believe its mostly because of how the last three seasons played out for Jackets fans.  In the Jackets one-and-only playoff year (2008-09) enthusiasm and attendance ran high.  That led to increased season ticket purchases for the 2009-10 season - during which the team fell flat.  That depressed the season ticket purchases for the 2010-11 season.  And despite some highlights, last season ended pretty much like the 2009-10 season.  Not a recipe for enthusiasm or attendance. 

 

But as Jaybird rightly points out, the off-season acquisitions have expectations higher for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  I haven't heard anything about season ticket purchases yet.  But I'd be surprised if sales weren't better than last year's.  Still, the Jackets fans are in a wait-and-see mode.  After 10 years and only one truly competitive year, the fans want to see a winner.  And by winner, I mean a team that can compete in the tough Central Division and the Western Conference.  If this year's team can do that, you'll see a sold-out Nationwide Arena again.

Since we're talking about some off-ice topics (it's late summer - there's nothing on-ice to discuss), today's Dispatch featured a commentary from their main hockey reporter Mike Arace.  He wondered if it might be helpful for the Blue Jackets to play a few regular season games in Cleveland and for the Cavs to play a few regular season games in Columbus.  He's arguing for a financial and brand expansion win-win partnership between the two owners and the two franchises.  I don't know if this is at all realistic - but it is intriguing.

 

Michael Arace commentary: Blue Jackets, Cavs could give each other a boost

Saturday August 13, 2011 - 5:58 AM

Michael Arace, Dispatch Sports

 

Proposal: a marriage, of sorts, between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Columbus Blue Jackets.  The idea is to get Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and his huge bag of money involved (or even invested) with Jackets owner John P. McConnell, and vice versa.  Bring the Cavs down to Columbus for, say, four or five games in Nationwide Arena.  Send the Jackets up to Cleveland for, say, four or five games in Quicken Loans Arena.

 

READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2011/08/13/blue-jackets-cavs-could-give-each-other-a-boost.html

The Blue Jackets continue to make news during the off-season.  The latest news is a six-year contact extension for defenseman Fedor Tyutin. 

Tyutin was set to play the final year of his current contract this season - signed a six-year, $27 million extension that runs through the 2017-18 season.  This move, combined with the signing of free-agent defenseman James Wisniewski to a six-year contract, solidifies the Jackets top defensive line well into the future.

 

Blue Jackets: Tyutin gets big contract extension

And if all the positive off-season news isn't enough to get excited for the 2011-12 season, the Blue Jackets FanFest is Friday, September 9 from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Nationwide Arena.

 

Blue Jackets FanFest is a celebration of hockey and a great opportunity to get ready for the 2011-12 season.  FanFest features player autograph sessions, a skills competition featuring Blue Jackets players, open skating and other on-ice activities, Q&A panels, photo opportunities with players including Rick Nash, Steve Mason and Jeff Carter, street hockey, kids' activities, food and drink specials, music and more.  It's held each year just before NHL training camp starts.  And admission is free.

 

More about the FanFest schedule from Columbus Underground and the Blue Jackets website.

 

 

I'm really excited about the signings (always been a big Tyutin fan).

 

Rider, thanks a lot for the updates.  Since I moved to Cleveland I don't get as much Bluejackets info but even though I don't respond I appreciate the updates.

^You're quite welcome tradition7.  Here's a very big update about Nationwide Arena and future of the Blue Jackets staying in Columbus!

 

Proposed deal: Casino tax revenue would fund purchase of Nationwide Arena

Blue Jackets would agree to stay in Columbus through 2039

By Doug Caruso, The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - 6:27 PM

 

Casino tax revenues would finance the public purchase of Nationwide Arena, under a proposed deal announced this afternoon.

 

Franklin County and Columbus would pledge up to a third of the tax revenue they collect from the Hollywood Casino on the West Side through 2039 to finance the $42.5 million purchase of the arena from Nationwide Realty Investors and pay to operate it, said John Rosenberger, a lawyer hired by Columbus and the county in 2009 to negotiate an arena deal.  The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority would own the arena.

 

Under the agreement, Nationwide would invest $52 million in the Blue Jackets and would take a 30 percent ownership interest in the team.  It would also pay an additional $28.5 million to the Blue Jackets to purchase naming rights to the arena for 10 years.

(. . . )

The deal is expected to save the team $9.5 million a year.  The team would agree to remain in Columbus through at least 2039.

 

READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/09/14/Proposal-to-keep-Blue-Jackets-in-town-to-be-released-today.html

The Jackets Cannon website has an excellent compilation of the Nationwide Arena/Blue Jackets news from this week.  Jackets Cannon has links the Thursday's Dispatch articles, an article from Columbus Business First, as well as commentary from CBJ Blog, CBUS Cheap Seats, Pro Hockey Talk and Light The Lamp. 

 

Special praise went out to Jeff Little of the hockey website 'Ten Minute Misconduct' for his analysis on the arena/team deal.  Jeff Little has written extensively on the Blue Jackets arena lease issue for The Hockey Writers website (which I posted links to in the Columbus: Arena District developments & news thread - lenghty but a good read).  Below is the link to yesterday's article from TMM:

 

Ten Minute Misconduct: Arena Framework Appears Solid

 

The Jackets Cannon website is continuing its excellent compilations of the Nationwide Arena/Blue Jackets news.  Jackets Cannon has links to reports on endorsements from Columbus City Council, Franklin County Commissioners, the Mayor's office and Columbus Chamber of Commerce.  The compliation also includes a statement of support from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and a link to a column from Dispatch sports writer Bob Hunter.  Mr. Hunter reports that resolving the arena issue could put Columbus onto the fast track to host a NHL All-Star game - possibly as early as 2013.

But enough about the Nationwide Arena deal that will keep the Blue Jackets in Columbus until at least 2039!  As great as that news is (and it is great) there is now some on-ice Blue Jackets news.  The Jackets Training Camp began last weekend.  And last night the Jackets played their first exhibition game(s) in Columbus and Winnipeg (split squads for both teams).

 

The Jackets Cannon website featured an interesting first-person account of the first day of training camp at the Ice Haus practice facility, which is attached to Nationwide Arena:  2011 Training Camp Day 1: Welcome Back

Any idea when the deal will be finished? I was under the assumption that the deal was done but after reading that it is only a proposal I am slightly concerned that it is going to be hijacked by short sighted people screaming"corporate welfare".

According to the original Dispatch article on the arena deal: "the deal would need the approval of the Columbus City Council, the Franklin County commissioners and the Convention Facilities Authority’s 11-member board." 

 

I suppose there is a chance that the deal could derailed.  But those in charge seem to be lining up behind the deal.  The Dispatch's follow-up article - "Arena deal looks good to folks in high places" - was posted over at the Columbus: Arena District developments & news thread along with the financial intricacies of the deal.  I'm thinking that the deal wouldn't have been announced if those three groups that need to approve it, didn't already agree with it.

 

EDIT:  Columbus City Council will vote on the proposal at their October 3 meeting.

More great roster news for the Jackets.  And I totally agree with the Jackets Cannon that this is "The Best Offseason Ever"!

 

 

This Is His Building - Umberger Signs 5 Year Extension

 

The Best Offseason Ever continues to roll with Scott Howson hopping on Twitter this morning to announce the team has inked forward R.J. Umberger to a five year extension.  Aaron Portzline quickly followed up to announce the extension will pay Umberger to the tune of $23 million dollars, with 5 million paid in the first year of the contract, and the remaining years at $4.5.

 

MORE: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2011/9/21/2439964/this-is-his-building-umberger-signs-5-year-extension

The Blue Jackets revamped roster just took a big hit because of a big hit in a preseason game.  New defenseman James Wisniewski was suspended by the NHL for eight regular season games and the remainder of the preseason for a blow to the head of Minnesota’s Cal Clutterbuck at the end of a preseason game last week.  The Dispatch summarizes what lead up to it in the preseason game.  The Jackets Cannon website has the video explanation from the NHL and video of the end-of-game incident.

 

COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets' Wisniewski to sit eight games

 

JACKETS CANNON: Wisniewski Suspended Rest of Preseason, 8 Regular Season Games - Video from NHL

 

After viewing the end-of-game incident, I can see why the NHL suspended Wisniewski.  Even though Clutterbuck is a goon, and he instigated things with an unnecessary hit on Wiz's linemate Tyutin one minute previously (which wasn't shown in the video), and Clutterbuck baited him into the hit - Wiz should have known better.  But I think the suspension was for too many games.  It sounds like Wiz's past history was the reason for the length as much as the incident.

 

On the one hand - you have to love Wiz for standing up for a teammate against a goon (something that's been lacking the past few years).  On the other hand - you don't want your highest paid defenseman suspended for 1/10 of the season.  Bottom line - instead of cheering for Wiz at the season opener October 7 against Nashville in Nationwide Arena, we will have to wait until October 25 against the Detroit Red Wings in Nationwide Arena.

Any idea when the deal will be finished? I was under the assumption that the deal was done but after reading that it is only a proposal I am slightly concerned that it is going to be hijacked by short sighted people screaming"corporate welfare".

 

Now its a done deal.  Just in time for the Jackets opening game on Friday!

 

 

Council OKs deal to buy Nationwide Arena

Fantastic! I really can't remember being this excited for a bluejackets season since the first year.