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Blue Jackets left winger Nikita Filatov will arrive in central Ohio late this afternoon or this evening, the Dispatch has learned, giving him roughly six weeks to get acclimated before the start of training camp.

Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson confirmed Filatov's travel plans.

This will almost certainly delight the Blue Jackets coaches, players and executives, who sent development coach Tyler Wright to Russia last month to evaluate Filatov's workout routine and gauge his feelings heading into the 2010-11 season.

And it confirms Filatov's comments to the Dispatch shortly after Wright's visit, that he would arrive the first week of August.

Filatov, 20, needs a big 2010-11. At the least, he needs to establish himself as a consistent NHL performer. New Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel, who had yet to speak with Filatov late last week, has said that Filatov -- like the rest of the players -- will get a clean slate heading into training camp.

The Blue Jackets' top six appears fairly set, but Filatov -- the club's first-round pick in 2008 -- will be given ample opportunity to crack the top two lines.

Arniel's desire to play an up-tempo, puck-possession style should certainly benefit Filatov, who never meshed in the positional/checking style favored by former Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock. Filatov left Columbus last November amid dwindling playing time, signing a one-year loan agreement to play for CSKA Moscow, his former club.

Filatov joins a slew of Blue Jackets players and prospects already in Columbus. Derick Brassard, Jake Voracek, John Moore, Jared Boll, Derek Dorsett, Tomas Kana, Kyle Neuber and Maksim Mayorov are in Columbus right now. Many have been here all summer. Center Ryan Johansen, the No. 1 pick, spent many weeks in Columbus before departing for home yesterday.

We'll have more -- including some pointed quotes from Arniel -- in Wednesday's editions of The Columbus Dispatch. If you're cool, you'll grab a copy.

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

Dispatch reporter Aaron Portzline will take your Blue Jackets/NHL questions -- and we're hoping answer them -- at noon today. You can join the Q&A session at dispatch.com/cbjchat.

-- Rob the moderator

The NHL has never been much of a trend setter when it comes to major sports leagues in North America.  They weren't the first to enact a cap system.. They weren't the first to adopt instant replay... They weren't the first to have a draft (it was actually the NFL in 1935) or free agency (MLB).

In fact the only thing I can think of that they were the first to do was to become the first professional sports league in North America to cancel an entire season.

In short -- they have been more followers than leaders.

Which brings me to the NFL and the point of this post.  The NFL is proposing to reduce their preseason schedule from 4 games to 2 while extending their regular season from 16 to 18 games.

What?  You mean the NFL is actually listening to it's fans?

I've long argued that the NHL's preseason in its current form is a complete waste of time and money.

#1 - Despite what the team says publicly 98% of the team is decided before any skates are laced up and any ice is frozen.  1-way guaranteed contracts make it extremely difficult to change your roster by the time camp rolls in.

#2 - Holding season ticket holders hostage and charging them full season prices for games that mean absolutely nothing quite frankly is a slap in the face to those who pay the bills. Why should fans pay 100% of the ticket price when the product 50% at best? Look around at any team across the league and you'll see loads of fans dressed up as empty seats at these games.

#3 - Injuries, injuries, injuries!!  Again everyone knows who is going to make the squad and to see a key player go down in a meaningless game is a complete waste of resources.  Injuries can and will happen but who wants a star player injured because some prospect or AHL tweener is trying to make a point in game 3 of 8 in the preseason?

#4 - An 82 game grind is long enough as it is.

Look I understand there has to be a camp to get a read on where prospects are and to shake the rust off the rostered players but are 20+ days for camp and 8+ preseason games really necessary?

The answer is an absolute and unequivocal no!!!

These are professional players who are expected to report to camp in shape.  The AHL is there for development and nobody but the bean counters cares about preseason games.

A week to 10 day camp should be plenty to fill out the few holes that are left on the roster and for players to prepare themselves for the season.

Let's call the preseason for what it is which is a money grab at the expense of season ticket holders.

That's it.

Put it this way - how many people to do you know that rush out to buy preseason tickets when they are announced?

I know a lot of hockey fans and I can't name one.

The NHL must follow the NFL's lead and trim the preseason down to 4 or less games.  Whack that sucker like a hit in the Sopranos.  If they can't stand the loss of that revenue then extend the regular season by another couple of games even though the regular season is long enough as it is.

I don't know about you but I'd rather pay full price for another home game than blow it on a couple of pointless preseason games.

A benefit to the players would be less overall games which should also result in a shorter season.

The NFL is listening to their fans -- it's time the NHL, its owners and players to do the same!!!!

The improvement shouldn't stop with just reducing preseason games either.  I think there is a lot more that can be done with these preseason games as the value clearly isn't there.

STOP RAISING THE DAMN PRICES!!!!   CUT! CUT! CUT!  I've never understood why the bean counters would rather charge full prices for a quarter full building instead of drastically reducing the prices and taking the opportunity to promote it to schools/businesses/communities as a chance to really sell this game to potential new fans.

Think about this - the Jackets have what - the equivalent of 7500 season ticket holders?  Say on average those tickets sell for $30 a piece.

7500 X $30 = $225,000

Now what if the Jackets reduced every ticket in the preseason to $5 and sold the place out to capacity?

20,000 (which is what they packed in for the playoffs) X $5 = $100,000

The tag line?

Bring a family of four to watch the Jackets in preseason for just $20 bucks!

Now on paper the loss looks like $125,000 right?  Now take into account 20,000 people showing up and the revenue that would be generated from parking, concessions, merchandise and MOST IMPORTANTLY the exposure of this team/game to potential new fans and that $125,000 quickly vanishes.  Even if they do lose $$ on the preseason games you can't put a price tag on the exposure. The key being to get these folks to come back during the regular season!

We all know that seeing a hockey game in person is the key.  Once you get those butts in the doors chances are that person will be hooked like Jan Hrdina.

You may think that since this team has been around for 10 years that just about everyone in this market has been exposed to this great game but I think we'd be surprised how far this is from the truth.  I think there are a lot of folks here that have yet to see a game live.

Packing 20,000 in for a preseason game may be pie in the sky but why not try it at least for a game?  It's certainly better than the status quo.  Let's change it up.  Try something new.  Take a chance.

I market the hell out of this.

I visit every company and every not for profit organization with promotional literature.  I cross promote at sporting events from youth to the pros. Every fire and police station is made aware of this.  I spam every concert, fair and parade.  Hell, rent a plane and do some fly overs with a banner before an Ohio State football game.  Every day care and summer camp gets a visit from Stinger.  I partner with every school in Columbus and its suburbs and market this as a "Back To School" campaign and make sure every kid and family in this town knows about this event.

I tell you what as well -- I don't stop in Columbus.  Ohio has one professional hockey team and this franchise has done a horrible job at promoting themselves outside of the Columbus market.  There are fans to be made in places like Cinci/Cleveland/Toledo/Dayton/Akron and all of the cities in-between.  Running commercials isn't enough -- there needs to be a major push at the grass roots levels with ticket deals that will entice people to make the trip to central Ohio and give this team a look.

This all takes $$ and commitment and it's easier to type than execute.  I get that *but* pulling up a list of current/former season ticket holders and making some cold calls isn't going to accomplish squat.  Those people are already interested -- what this franchise needs is to generate new interest.

No doubt icing a winning team would help more than anything but more can be done.

The current season ticket holders have been milked for every last drop - instead of squeezing them harder it's time to find some new cows.

FIRE AWAY in poll question - does the NHL preseason need to be revamped?

-LTL

Blue Jackets defenseman Rostislav Klesla is nearing the end of his long, arduous rehabilitation -- or at least he hopes so.

Klesla, who tore groin and stomach muscles early last season in an awkward collision with St. Louis' Barret Jackman, plans to fly to Vancouver this weekend to have his abdominal region tested by physiotherapist Randy Celebrini. It will mark the third time Klesla has visited Celebrini this off-season.

"I talked to Rusty and he's pretty excited about the progress that's been made," Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson told The Dispatch today. "He's had lots of success working with (Celebrini), and everything is pointing to a good sign.

"There was a time this summer when he was pretty apprehensive about it, where I think Rusty was getting a little frustrated with the progress. But it's there now. He said he felt like he was about 95 percent a few days ago, which led him to believe he would be 100 percent for training camp."

Klesla played only 26 games last season, none after Nov. 30. In 2008-09, Klesla played in only 34 games for the Blue Jackets.

"It makes a big difference when he's not in our lineup," Howson said.

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

Has August become the new July for the NHL?

We all know August is a hot month... most think of beaches and sun tans when the month of August rolls around.  The only ice that crosses one's mind are the cubes in their drinks.  The only chill are those of the frosty beverage in their hands while relaxing on a backdoor patio.

Well this month I expect the NHL to be hot with player activity.  I expect the ice cold trade market to thaw.  I expect the teams feeling the heat from being over the cap to start shaking things up.

In the past most of your NHL player movement primarily happened in two windows:

NHL Draft (June)

NHL Free Agency (July)

The dust had typically settled come August and teams were generally set.

Yes the NHL has had it's fair share of movement in July but more so than ever that does not seem to be the case this season.

For starters - teams are locking up their young players to long term contracts before they have a chance to hit free agency thus making the pool of players available in early July limited and less attractive.  Teams are taking their time and taking the entire offseason to make improvements.

The cap is certainly playing it's role in all of this.  The cap is perventing the big spenders from going hog wild while budget markets are counting every penny they spend. This leads to less player movement out of the gate on July 1st.

There are teams over the cap max limit (Boston, Chicago, Philly, New Jersey, Calgary and Vancouver) and teams under the lower limit (Thrashers, Islanders, Avalanche).  Teams are still going to have to make moves to either A. get under the cap or B. get over the cap minimum.

We have the Illya Kovalchuck situation still hanging out there.  That won't be settled until August and could have a domino effect around the league for further activity.

A large number of players have filed for arbitration as both teams and players look to get the best deals for their situations.  While the majority of these filings have gotten worked out prior to the actual hearings many teams have been in wait mode until these situations are resolved.  The James Wisniewski deal yesterday is a perfect example of the fallout from the arbitration process.

All this adds up to teams still not settled on their rosters and like many others, I expect a lot more activity come August.

I expect the Columbus Blue Jackets to be one of these active teams.

It's no secret the Jackets want to upgrade their blueline despite Howson's PR speak that he "really is" happy with his group.

Names like Kaberle, Souray and Bieska are still heavily rumored to be available.

You have the teams over the cap that are going to have to make a move to get under it.  Are there any pieces on Vancouver (Bieska?), Calgary, Boston (Bergeron? Savard?), New Jersey and Chicago (Sharp?) that may interest Howson?

You have teams like LA that have made it known that they need scoring help.  Could a trade between the Jackets and LA be worked out?

You have teams like the Islanders, Avalanche and Thrashers who still need to add salary?  Could the Jackets dump anyone (i.e. salary dump) to one of these squads to free up budget room to make a move for a higher price guy that could fill a hole?

You have all the backdoor conversations and proposals that we as fans are never privy too.  The deals that are made that make you say "well that came out of nowhere".

Finally there are still a lot of unsigned free agents floating around out there.  Do the Jackets have any interest in dmen like Andy Sutton, Denis Grebeshkov or Willie Mitchell?  Are there any forwards that may be of interest?  There were some rumors about the Jackets having interest C Ryan Johnson for example.  What about a Mike Comrie or a guy I'd personally love to see them add on a 1 year deal (but would never come here) in Mike Modano?

The bottom line is I expect a flurry of activity in the month of August.  Whether or not the Jackets will get in on the action.... well, we'll have to kick back on the beach with frosty beverages in our hands and wait to see what, if anything, unfolds.

-LTL

Blue Jackets defenseman Anton Stralman, who signed a one-year, $1.95 million contract on Wednesday, understands his reputation as a one-dimensional defenseman -- strong from the blue line in, but weak from the red line back.

If the first part of fixing a problem is acknowledging it, Stralman appears to be on the right track.

"There's always room to improve," Stralman said. "Obviously, (defensive-zone play) is not my strong point. I really want to work hard to get better at that aspect, and I'm working hard to get stronger.

"I need someone who can help me with that, teach me stuff and believe in me, so I have room to develop that part of my play. I'm excited to get to training camp and start working for this season."

Stralman, 24, said he was glad to avoid arbitration earlier this week. Not only can arbitration hearings get personal and nasty, but the Blue Jackets could have walked away from the arbitrator's ruling if they deemed it too costly.

"We were prepared for arbitration, but it's good to miss it," Stralman said. "Both parties obviously wanted to settle before. Maybe (Columbus would have walked away). I didn't think that they would. I didn't really prepare for it, and it wasn't something I really thought about. I would have taken care of it if it happened.

"I obviously wanted to stay with the Blue Jackets. We all like Columbus a lot, especially Upper Arlington, where we live."

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

The Blue Jackets have agreed to terms with defenseman Anton Stralman on a one-year, $1.95 million contract, The Dispatch has learned, allowing the two parties to avoid arbitration this morning in Toronto.

Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson met with Stralman's agent, Marc Levine, this morning at 8 a.m. The two sides reached terms just a few minutes before a hearing was scheduled to begin with arbitrator Margaret Brogan.

"Talking to Anton this morning, we both agreed that if we have to go through the process, we have to go through it," Howson said. "I made sure he knew this was part of the business and that whatever was going to be said in that room, we still like him as a player. But the danger in going through it is, it gets very personal.

"It helped to have the player there this morning, to look him in the eye. It helps you get a deal done."

Stralman stood a strong chance of making more than $1.95 million had he gone through with the arbitration. But by signing the deal in advance, he avoided the risk that the Blue Jackets would exercise their right to "walk away" from Brogan's ruling if they deemed it too high.

In that scenario, Stralman would have been an unrestricted free agent, joining a market that is currently saturated with players. The chances of him making more than $1.95 million as a free agent in late July early August appear slim.

"You have to look at the options (coming out of arbitration), the different scenarios," Levine said. "Ultimately, we didn't have to go down that road."

The Blue Jackets weren't without risks, either. If they'd gone through arbitration, the Jackets would have to choose between accepting a higher salary for Stralman ($2.3 million, maybe $2.5
million?) or leaving their roster void of any player with a history of success running the point on the power play.

They still need more skill on the blue line, If Stralman would have walked, the Blue Jackets would have been in crisis mode.

Stralman led Blue Jackets defensemen in scoring last season (6-28-34) and is their top power play point man ... for now. Howson said he's pleased to have Stralman back in the fold, but he's still looking to tweak the blue line, to add a puck-mover.

"We're still seeing what's out there on the (trade) market, if there's an opportunity that makes sense for us," Howson said. "We're still exploring and talking with a few teams. But If it's not there, we'll stay with this group. I like our group of seven, I really do."

That group of seven, listed alphabetically, is: Mike Commodore, Jan Hejda, Rostislav Klesla, Marc Methot, Kris Russell, Stralman and Fedor Tyutin.

Only 24 hours ago, it was unclear if Stralman's name would be in that list much longer.

"There's always a sense of relief that you can come to an understanding," Levine said. "I'm glad we were able to work things out with Columbus. It's a good situation for Anton and his family."

Stralman, who made $731,666 last season, will be a restricted free agent (with arbitration rights) again next summer. But the two sides can begin working on an extension after January 1.

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

Photo by David Gainer/The Hockey Writers

Ahh.. nothin like a good ole Einstein quote to grab one's attention.

A few nuggets to toss out in Al Gore's Internet mixer this mornin....

News just broke that defensemen Anton Stralman and the Jackets have reached a one year agreement worth 1.95 mil.

As I speculated a couple of days ago, once that gap closed to within 1 million I was confident that the remaining gap would be closed.

This deal is reasonable for both sides.

Stralman may have gotten more in arbitration but then the Jackets would have walked and he would have been forced to try to find something similar on the market from another team. The problem for him is most teams have already blown their wads and don't have any more dough left to spend. On top of that would another team give him the role (i.e. playing times) the Jackets are prepared to give?  His options overall would have been severely limited.

Even though Stralman isn't close to perfect - especially in his own end - the Jackets certainly couldn't afford to lose their only right handed shot and leading point producer on the blueline.  He is also an above average skater at at 23 should only improve.  Remember it takes defenseman on average longer develop than forwards.  Losing Stralman would only make a weak defensive corps weaker.

Now with Stralman back in the fold Howson is falling back into his usual routine that they are still exploring trade options but that he is happy with this group... "he really is"..

Uh huh.  Right.

He isn't happy folks nor should he be.  This team still needs a top pairing dman and a top 6 center.  No matter how this organization spins it with new coaching staff, conditioning, internal improvement, what-have-you --- the team still needs upgrades in key skill positions.

Those both won't get filled but it doesn't change the fact that going into this offseason those were the team's biggest holes and still remain so.

A trade idea that just occurred to me was swapping Nikita Filatov for LA defensemen Jack Johnson.

Why?

I just saw this little nugget from Kings GM Dean Lombardi:

Speaking of moving on, Lombardi said he’s not keen on waiting to see how the Kovalchuk drama plays out, and that he is mulling one trade option in his mind. For obvious reasons, he didn’t disclose the player.

Johnson is a 23 year old 6-1 225 lb left shooting defenseman who finished last year with 8g 28g for 36p and a -15.

Forecaster's take:

ASSETS: Is an incredible skater. Possesses good size, excellent all-around instincts, physical prowess and offensive upside. Is never shy about laying on the body. Is better than average for a defenseman when in alone against the goaltender.

FLAWS: Needs to avoid getting caught out of position in order to land the big hit. Could stand to simplify his game a little more so as to maximize his physical tools.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Skilled all-around defenseman.

Here's the best part -- he's got one year left on his deal at 1.425 million before he'll become a restricted free agent.

LA is in a similar situation to the Jackets - any move they make will be with an eye on keeping their young core together.  Their problem is also the opposite of ours - they need more scorers while the Jackets need a strong all around puckmover on the blueline.

A Filatov for Johnson swap would accomplish goals for both teams.  Both players could slot into the young cores for both squads.  Both bring a lot of potential to be stars in their respective positions. Both players line up well in terms of salaries trading hands (with bonuses Filatov could take home 2mil+ next season).

Both also come with risks.

Filatov's is Russian (i..e flight risk) and is not proven at the NHL level.  Johnson still has some maturing to do, especially in his own end.  With one year left on his deal any team that trades for him would have to factor in a hefty raise (Filatov has 2 years remaining on his entry level deal) for next year which brings uncertainty.

You may may be asking yourself - why does LTL always use Forecaster when referring to players?  Well, I'll tell you.....

Nobody can be familiar every player in this league but the players I am VERY familiar with - like the entire Columbus Blue Jackets team - Forecaster absolutely nails in their breadowns.

I figure if they are that bang on with the Jackets players then why wouldn't they be with others?

Speaking of Filatov - I see his style of play being similar to a Phil Kessel or Paul Kariya type player.  Of course, he has a long way to go to produce like those two.

The part I'm very torn on with Filatov is this team needs another natural goal scorer.  Filatov scores goals much differently than say a Rick Nash or RJ Umberger.  He is a sniper.  He finds the soft spots of the ice and uses his quick release and goal scoring instincts to beat goaltenders.  Sure he can use his speed to drive the net but his game is to be a dangerous shooter anywhere in the offensive zone - not a guy who sets up in the paint to get deflections or dirty goals.

Think about this for a second - how often have you seen Rick Nash take a one-timer?  Or even wind up for slap shot off the rush or in the slot?  That just isn't his game.  He likes to receive the puck off the rush and drive the net, make a move to buy him time to take quick wrist shots or clean up loose pucks around the net.  That's how he gets the majority of his goals.

Filatov has the potential to bring a different goal scoring element to this lineup.

This team can use that element *but* I think this team needs a complete all around dman more and right now all Filatov is is potential.  If Howson can turn that potential into a young all around dman like Johnson I'd pull the trigger.

With Stralman back in the mix it brings the Jackets overall payroll up to $51,893,500 for 22 players.

Again, as much as I have dogged ownership for not stepping up and spending that is a respectable number and certainly should be enough to ice a competitive squad.  If this team fails the blame falls squarely on Howson's shoulders and how he is spending his $$ (i.e. 1.75 on Moreau, 2.5 on Clark, 2.65 on Pahlsson).

No pressure.

-LTL

Plans for a Tuesday evening negotiating session in Toronto between the Blue Jackets and the agent for defenseman Anton Stralman have been scrapped, The Dispatch has learned.

Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson and Stralman's agent, Marc Levine, now plan to meet early Wednesday morning in a late-gasp attempt to avoid arbitration. The hearing, before arbitrator Margaret Brogan, is scheduled for 9 a.m.

The Jackets and two players have swung 11th-hour deals to avoid arbitration twice before, including last summer when defenseman Marc Methot signed a two-year deal just outside the boardroom doors.

Howson told The Dispatch earlier tonight that Brogan will delay the start of the meeting for an hour or two (maybe more) if it's clear that progress is being made.

Joining Howson in Toronto for the Blue Jackets are assistant GM Chris MacFarland and manager of hockey operations Josh Flynn, the club's expert number-cruncher.

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

The Blue Jackets are expected to reach out to Anton Stralman's agent later tonight, the Dispatch has learned, a late-hour effort by GM Scott Howson to avoid Wednesday's arbitration hearing.

"There's still time," Howson said. "We can continue to talk tomorrow morning, before the hearing, if necessary. The arbitrator will wait for us, as long as there is clear progress being made toward a deal.

"But unless either side is willing to make a pretty significant move, there's not much reason to negotiate further."

Earlier in the evening, Stralman's agent -- Marc Levine -- reiterated that the next phone call to make is Howson's. He said both he and Stralman flew from Sweden back to North American with the expectation of a meeting.

"At this point, at the 11th hour, we’re preparing to go to arbitration," Levine told The Dispatch. "That’s why I’m here and that’s why Anton is here. We’re here to take it to the next step. If they want to talk prior to that, my cell phone is on and I’m willing to listen.

"It’s my understanding, from the last communication we had with Columbus, that they’ll see us in Toronto."

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

Blue Jackets left winger Ethan Moreau is spending a few days in Columbus, picking out a place to live and getting to know Columbus, a handful of his teammates and Nationwide Arena.

The Jackets claimed Moreau off waivers from Edmonton on July 1, a move that took many by mild surprise. The word in Oil Country is that Moreau has lost a bit of his edge in recent years, that his best days are in the rear view mirror.

How does this sit with Moreau?

"The biggest motivation comes from what I want to accomplish here," Moreau said. "The problems that we had in Edmonton ... it wasn't really my health. It was more just a situation where we had a bad team. It's hard for anybody to look good in that situation.

"I do use it as motivation, absolutely. I think anybody who trains with me or knows how hard I work, knows that when I come to training camp next month there won’t be any questions about whether I can still play this game.

Moreau said he plans to set the tone early in training camp.

"When I come out, I’ll be one of the faster guys and one of the most physical guys," he said. "We’ll put all that (stuff) to rest right away."

The Blue Jackets made it clear upon claiming Moreau that they want him to make an impact on the ice and in the dressing room. He is known to be extremely passionate during games, often riling up teammates between periods.

The invisible "Quiet, Please" sign has officially been taken down.

"I'm pretty vocal; I've always been that way," Moreau said. "There's a time and a place for everything. Most of the time leadership is supporting your teammates, being a good friend and being a good teammate. But there are other times when you have to be ... not confrontational, but on any good team I've played on, there's always some form of dissension in the room.

"You can’t have 25 nice guys. It never works out. You have to have some sort of edge within your group."

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

Anton Stralman's agent, Marc Levine, traveled from Sweden to the United States on Monday, and is currently in flight to Toronto for Wednesday's arbitration hearing. He'll arrive about an hour after the Blue Jackets' contingent of GM Scott Howson and assistant GM Chris MacFarland touches down.

"We're ready to go to arbitration," Levine said.

The Dispatch was told late this morning that further negotiations between Howson and Levine are likely tonight, that a contract agreement is still possible before the 9 a.m. meeting with arbitrator Margaret Brogan.

-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
twitter: @aportzline

Here are a couple of quick hits I wanted to share tonight:

Check out this article on USA Today titled Diverse economy helped Columbus, Ohio, in downturn:

Hot 'hoods. The Arena District in downtown Columbus has been transformed in recent years. It is a vibrant area that attracts people of all ages.

It is close to a riverfront park that is under construction. It has a new stadium for the Columbus Clippers, a minor league baseball team, and an arena for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio's only National Hockey League team.

It is a great time to be a home buyer in Columbus, especially for condos, says Andy Schiffman, president of the Midtown Area Real Estate Association. Condos and townhouses range from $109,900 to $699,999.

Everyone who is opposed to fixing this arena lease issue should read national stories like this.  The Arena District and all this positive pub would be erased if the Jackets didn't come to town.

This one was sent to me by Ryan - it's a breakdown by ESPN Outside The Lines of health violations in major league stadiums across North America.   Nationwide makes the list with 9% of their vendors in violation.

This is a thorough article but I have to laugh a bit because as much as the ESPN mouth pieces have preached over the years that the NHL isn't one of the major pro sports in North America when they run articles like this suddenly the league and their arenas are relevant.

Joe Lewis Arena was in 52% violation.  Like I've been saying for years folks - that place really is a dump.

Two stadiums in Verizon Stadium (Capitals/Wizards) and Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) were in 100% violation. Ouch.

Looks like the Jackets and RFA Anton Stralman are on a collision course for arbitration on Wednesday.

Not at all surprised by this.

However with the reports that both sides are only a million dollars apart I think this thing may get settled on the footsteps to the Toronto courthouse.

NHL dmen are tricky business because they are such a commodity in this league - especially point producing ones.

Stralman's 34 points will help him in arbitration no doubt but the Jackets will argue the majority of these points came on the PP in the first half of the season and he wasn't the best in his own end (as his -17 will profess).

Arbitration can be ugly business.  As much as you want to say it's just business there is a lot of dirty laundry aired and the potential to burn bridges that won't be rebuilt is high.  It is certainly in both side's interests to get a deal done prior.

The Jackets could certainly use Stralman's skills who really played his first full season as an NHL regular last season.  It's not like they have right handed puck moving dmen growing on trees.

For Stralman I can't see his situation getting much better than the opportunity he's been given in Columbus to play and grow his game.  Furthermore, if what this new coaching staff preaches is true, he'll be given even more of an opportunity to play to his strengths which is the offensive side of the blueline.

A week ago I'd say there is not a chance these two sides would reach an agreement but now I think that million dollar gap gets closed.  If it doesn't and Stralman gets an award of 2.5 million or more I think the Jackets walk.  I wouldn't agree with it -- especially considering the 1.75 Howson blew on Moreau -- but it's what I expect to happen.

At lot of what you hear now from both sides is posturing and I think cooler heads prevail.  We'll find out soon enough.

-LTL

Just caught the new logo for the 2011 NHL All Star Game in Raleigh North Carolina:

Sharp logo!

Personally though I think the All Star game has lost some of it's luster (not that it carried a whole lot anyways) with the invent of the Winter Classic.

I'd much rather have a Winter Classic as I think it's more unique and less contrived.  I'm not typing anything new here but the game we see during the All Star game is a completely watered down version of what goes on during the regular season.  It tries to sell names and personalities more the game -- unfortunately I don't think it does either particularly well.  Now while the Winter Classic has to deal with it's own issues such as the elements at least there are two points up for grabs and a much closer brand of what you'll see night in and night out in the NHL under the spotlight.

If I had the choice put me squarely in the Winter Classic camp although I certainly wouldn't complain if the NHL awarded Columbus an All Star game which I think is much more likely.  One is better than none.

Still the thought of a Columbus vs. Detroit tilt at the Shoe would have to make league execs take pause.  For that to come to fruition A. Columbus would have to get a lot more competitive/popular in the overall NHL landscape and B. it would take a big leap of faith to throw such an event in Columbus due to weather concerns.

Still one can dream:

(photo courtesy of friend)

Fire away in the poll question - what would you rather have --- Winter Classic or All Star game?

-LTL