Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)

[Fungo Squiggly]

also a nikita fialtov blog supposedly exists and its in russina and supposedly intersting...

Google translation of what appears to be Nikita Filatov's blog

The translation makes for arather stilted way of reading something like this. I have no idea if this is the one to which you refer, jo.

EDIT - This is only the most recent entry. If you click on the username "Philately", you can see previous entries.

 

[3074326]

According to ESPN Insider, the Blue Jackets are interested in Daniel Sedin. Heard anything JO?

 

[Mike80]

According to ESPN Insider, the Blue Jackets are interested in Daniel Sedin. Heard anything JO?

Aren't the Sedin twins generally considered a package deal??

Either one or both of them would be some good steady guys to build with.

 

[3074326]

It said that the twins were being shopped, but only had Daniel's name listed. I'd like to see both of them in Columbus if it's possible. Not sure what it would take to get them, and I'm not sure how much interest is really there.

 

[ysubuck]

I think the twins could help the Bugs! Anyone?

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

McConnell kept giving until death
Worthington Industries founder donated $100,000 to United Way in final months
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:16 AM
By Dana Wilson


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

John H. McConnell


DELAWARE, Ohio -- John H. McConnell gave hundreds of thousands to United Way of Delaware County in his life, and his contributions will continue after his death.
The charitable agency announced yesterday that McConnell, the founder of Worthington Industries and the former majority owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL team, donated $100,000 before he died April 25 at age 84.
McConnell lived in Delaware County and had a long history of generous giving, said Katherine Kreuchauf, president of United Way of Delaware County.
"We had been talking with him for quite a while, a number of months, and to us it was very bittersweet," Kreuchauf said. "He completed his gift to us very shortly before he passed away, and at the time, obviously, we were very grateful."

Continued......

 

[jimotis4heisman]

According to ESPN Insider, the Blue Jackets are interested in Daniel Sedin. Heard anything JO?

no. but columbus needs to show interest in everyone...

here is the hockey news on some of the big ufas...

The Hockey News: Rumor Roundup: Rumor Roundup: UFA destinations
rumor roundup possible ufa destinantions

Wade Redden: He won’t be returning to the Senators. While his stock has dropped over the past two seasons, he should still attract considerable attention on the UFA market.

The Panthers were rumored to be interested, but with their recent acquisition of two defensemen from Phoenix – Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard - in the Olli Jokinen trade, they’re now likely looking to bolster their offense. The Rangers, Flyers, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets and Blackhawks are possible suitors.

Ryan Malone: With Hossa headed to unrestricted free agency, the odds may improve for Malone to re-sign with the Penguins, but that depends on the club’s willingness to meet his asking price, rumored to be $5 million per season.

The Blue Jackets are definitely interested in Malone and even tried to acquire his rights from the Penguins before he stated his intention to hit the open market. The Wild, Canucks, Panthers, Bruins and Rangers could also bid for his services.

Brian Rolston: He wants to remain with the Wild and GM Doug Risebrough is keen to re-sign him, but both sides apparently cannot agree on Rolston’s value.

The 35-year-old Rolston remains one of the best two-way forwards in the game, so if he doesn’t sign a contract by July 1 expect a lot of teams - including the Canucks, Panthers, Rangers, Blue Jackets, Penguins, Bruins (his former club) and Lightning - to line up for his services.

 

[Mike80]

no. but columbus needs to show interest in everyone...

here is the hockey news on some of the big ufas...

The Hockey News: Rumor Roundup: Rumor Roundup: UFA destinations
rumor roundup possible ufa destinantions

If they sign Redden and Rolston with what they already have, they are like your 8th playoff spot team right now.

Given that this won't be the end either (the Sedin twins thing makes a bit too much sense, but something else may shake loose), the CBJ should be right there.

 

[LitlBuck]

Would $5 mil be too much for Columbus to pay Malone (or a guy similar to his talent level) or would that restrict them in signing possibly 2-3 more Ufa

 

[jimotis4heisman]

they should be able to sign a 5m and two 2-3m players if thats whats there.

ill put it like this. the cbj are shopping for used cars. everyone in the league is shopping at the same dealership. cars are new and barely used. heck some are barely assembled. but everyone is shopping these same cars. july 1 they go up for action or trade/barter (ufa and rfa). ill say it now i dont see a single player that the cbj wont have to be the highes bidder for to take home the used car...

the ducks likely will get nieds back so theyll have to cut some salary.

ill tell you this scott has every teams roster on his white board. all options will be looked at to some extent or another.

what it will take i do not know to get any of these guys tiem will tell

 

[LitlBuck]

link

Salary cap rises to $56.7 million, up $6.4 million from last season
The NHL's salary cap is on the rise again.

The league and the NHL Players' Association announced yesterday that each team will have a maximum of $56.7 million to spend for the 2008-09 season -- up $6.4 million from last season.

The minimum salary was set at $40.7 million for each of the 30 teams. The most money a player can earn in a new contract next season is $11.34 million a year.

In 2006-07, the salary cap was $44 million. Last year, it was $50.3 million.

Does this mean that the CBJ will have more money to spend on FAs or does Columbus management set their own budget with regard to how much they are going to spend.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

link


Does this mean that the CBJ will have more money to spend on FAs or does Columbus management set their own budget with regard to how much they are going to spend.

I don't think the Jackets are going to be close to it. They were talking $45M before the increase, which would have left them $5M under LAST season's cap.

LINK

The Blue Jackets also are expected to be active when the NHL's free agent signing period begins July 1. Once the dust settles later this summer, Howson expects the Blue Jackets' player payroll to be in the neighborhood of $45 million, up from the low-$30 million territory last season.

 

[LitlBuck]

I don't think the Jackets are going to be close to it. They were talking $45M before the increase, which would have left them $5M under LAST season's cap.

LINK

No wonder they never make the playoffs. If they would increase their payroll, they might increase attendance and also make the playoffs which would give them more revenue or is that too logical of thinking.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

No wonder they never make the playoffs. If they would increase their payroll, they might increase attendance and also make the playoffs which would give them more revenue or is that too logical of thinking.

They would probably spend it stupidly anyways. I'd rather bitch about my sucky hockey team than bitch about my sucky, over-paid hockey team.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

No wonder they never make the playoffs. If they would increase their payroll, they might increase attendance and also make the playoffs which would give them more revenue or is that too logical of thinking.

revenue wise they cant compete. it doesnt work that way. toronto could ice the jr jackets and triple columbus' revenue easily.

last year at the end of the year the team was technically under the floor...
i think they were 3rd lowest payroll based on the cap hit (which is salary rated on a day basis usage, blah blah) they will continue to be in the bottom third for payroll. litlbuck the disparity in hockey is similar to baseball. have you seen how many franchises have been sold this offseason? do you think you sell "good investments" the yotes supposedly lost almost 30m last year. the cost of operating in a city is a lot higher in say toronoto where the weather is actually cold.. toss in that colorado, detroit, rangers, leafs, habs etc have huge fan bases, huge merchandise sales, awesome tv deals etc.

an interesting add on is that the cba has a revenue sharing clause. but the teams have to qualify for revenue sharing meeting certain criteria. that is getting harder an harder.

also keep in mind that on yoru bottomline revenue you have to have a feeder system, ahl/echl team and have prospect camps, developmental camps etc.