This and that

Check out this cartoon titled "Don't Touch Sidney" from the Detroit Free Press.

As much as I dislike Detroit..okay hate Detroit... that still had me rollin.

Be sure to follow the link as its interactive!

How about that contract that the B's signed 22 year old center and RFA to be David Krejci to? According to TSN "The contract is a three year deal at $3.5, $3.75 and $4 million per year, respectively."

Krejci had 73 points in 82 games last season.

I think that is a helluva deal for the B's and really helps set the market early for comparable players - especially RFAs. This could be what Derick Brassard's next contract looks like as he'll be a RFA after next season - of course he'll need similar production which I believe he's fully capable of.

Interesting read from 'The Other Paper' on the Blue Jackets lease situation:

So at what point does the spoiled public we lose the privilege of having a team of our own in town?

“It’s an interesting question,” Brown said.

Luckily for the Blue Jackets, when it comes to forming a Plan B, the fiery train crash that was the sin-tax proposal has at least educated the public about the Jackets’ money troubles, and perhaps more importantly, has drawn the eye of local business leaders.

“We need to look at a NetJets solution,” said one well-connected civic and business type, who preferred to talk in the shadows.

The NetJets solution might soon become a nickname for a seemingly common act of late: A persuasive dinner at the Wexners.

Back in 2007, NetJets, the Columbus aviation company, was shopping several out-of-town locations for a cushy deal, Wexner gathered business and political leaders at his home, including CEO David Rosenthal. Rosenthal reportedly fell for the group’s collective dinner-time mission to keep NetJets in Columbus.

A similar meal with Les reportedly wooed Gordon Gee to return to Ohio State.

Could this whole thing be solved over a bottle of wine in New Albany?

Indeed, those wheels are in motion, the source said. And even better news for the hockey fans—they’re betting it won’t involve tax dollars.

“It’s not the time to be asking the public for money—not in this economy,” the source said.

“The public sector needs to be at the table, but we think there needs to be a private solution.”

No doubt the movers and shakers in this town need to start to rumble. We still need to do our part to move and shake the politicians.

Read much more from the article here.

As I was telling some folks last night at the R over a couple of cold ones, the initial bump of support to stay on the Franklin County Commishs is great but the real challenge is to keep it the pressure on over a long period of time and build even more support.

I'm sure these folks see big spikes when issues are fresh but that support quickly fades.

As fans we can't let it fade. I'm open to any ideas as to how to keep this fire burning.

If you haven't already be sure to check out what other bloggers had to say about the arena lease situation.

Eric Smith from Hockeybuzz chimes in here.
JAL here.
Rick Gethin of TheHockeyWriters.com here.
Bethany's (via KuklasKorners) reaction can be found here.
HFBoards has many comments on the subject here.

Speaking of blogs and web sites. An individual by the name of "Devon" contacted me and asked if I could share a link to his new web site dedicated completely to the Blue Jackets -- just follow this link -> firethecannon.com

Nice job on the site Devon! He's also looking for writers if anyone is interested.

Don't forget to watch the Stanley Cup Finals at the R Bar:

Come watch the Stanley Cup Finals at the R Bar and you could win a Molson Beer Tube.
Purchase Molson Bottles or Draft on game nights and you will be entered to win a Molson Beer Tube. Winners will be drawn during the second intermission during every Cup Final.

..and if you're a golfer as well as a hockey fan this event sponsored by the R Bar may be too good to pass up:

Please join us this year for the R Bar Arena's Second Annual Golf Outing benefiting ALS. As many of you know our very close friend has been battling ALS for many years and we take this charity personally. All proceeds that are made from this outing go directly to the ALS foundation.
This year the outing will be held once again at the preteen Phoenix Golf Club on Friday July 17th. There will be two kegs on the course for the drinking and many more for the post party at the R Bar. Prizes include Clippers' tickets, Bud Light Prizes and much more. Sign up sheets are located at

Cost for this event will be

Team - $220
Individual - $60
Hole Sponsorship - $100

Unfortunately myself and a golf club don't mix... well unless you want your course to like Iraq when I'm finished.

Now what's their excuse? From ESPN.com:

The Pittsburgh Penguins' 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Versus on Tuesday night drew a 2.6 rating and averaged 2.96 million viewers.

The network said Wednesday that the rating was up 37 percent from the average for the two games on Versus during last year's series. The channel aired Games 1 and 2 last year; this year it is showing Games 3 and 4 while the first two switched to NBC.

The 2.6 rating was the highest ever on Versus, beating a 2.1 for Lance Armstrong's final ride in 2005 and Game 5 of this year's Detroit-Chicago series.

Can't find the channel eh? Again welcome to the ESPN myth.

Thanks for the link BHG.

Aaron Portzline via twitter announced the dates for training camp yesterday.

Sept 12th - camp opens.
Sept 13th - first day NHL players hit the ice.

The first day the players hit the ice is always an exciting one down at the Ice Haus.

It's just under 100 days away. Mark your calendars!

Draft party details are up and it looks like the Jackets are pulling out all the stops this year.

The even will be held on the ice/floor at Nationwide Arena and some highlights include player appearances by Umberger, Mason and Boll and free T shirts to the first 500 fans.

This event is free. See all the details here.

The R Bar is also putting something together so I'll get you those details as soon as they become available.

Want to know more about the draft and it's prospects? Check out this read from draft guru Gare Joyce (kind of a like a Mel Kiper to football) and his notes from the combine. Fantastic info!

What would it have been like to draft 3rd overall this year? It was closer than you think.

Basically the first we received in return for that coward Adam Foote at last year's trade deadline had some criteria attached. If the Avalanche made the playoffs the Jackets were to received their 1st round pick for the 2008 draft. If they missed the playoffs the Jackets were to recieved their first round pick from this upcoming draft which would have been the 3rd overall.

Of course should the Avs have missed last year they may have blown things up last summer and been a better team so who knows where they would have finished. Also we essentially traded Adam Foote for RJ Umberger and his 26 goals which I'd do over time and time again.

Still it's interesting to ponder the 'what ifs'.

"With the 3rd overall pick the Columbus Blue Jackets select from Brampton of the Ontario Hockey League, center Matt Duchene"

Yeah that would have filled a hole in our prospect system eh?

-LTL