Columbus another in line for possible relocation

[CenterIce 83]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4626073

[Chunkylover 26]

That's too bad, they look to have finally turned their fortunes around.

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

Won't happen, IMO Columbus is on the rise, they are actually in a good hockey market. Arent they?

[StevieY9802 6]

I hope they don't move. I think this was one of the better expansion ideas. I think hockey itself can be successful there. Just goes to show you how much more goes into the financials of a pro-sports team.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

That sucks. They have some great fans over there (and some tools, but every team has that type of fan). It'd be a shame to see them move.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

That sucks. They have some great fans over there (and some tools, but every team has that type of fan). It'd be a shame to see them move.

I'd say mostly tools, especially after the playoff series and the throwing trash on the ice after Mule's game winner. Not to mention they make Pittsburgh fans look intelligent by shrieking every time a Jackets player falls down, screaming for a penalty when there isn't an opposing player within 20 feet.

[lfd250 1]

You're going to see a lot of teams losing money. Just because they do doesn't mean a move is in the plans.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I'd say mostly tools, especially after the playoff series and the throwing trash on the ice after Mule's game winner. Not to mention they make Pittsburgh fans look intelligent by shrieking every time a Jackets player falls down, screaming for a penalty when there isn't an opposing player within 20 feet.

That's a page out of the "How to be a Montreal Canadiens fan" book.

[Guest mindfly]

Columbus moves team to western NA so Detroit can go back to eastern conference, plzzzzz

[Doggy 130]

Columbus moves team to western NA so Detroit can go back to eastern conference, plzzzzz

Columbus is already in the West so how is that possible?

Edited November 5, 2009 by Doggy

[Guest mindfly]

You're right, it's just that they don't feel like west =P

In my dreams the wings play in eastern conference, where they belong, detroit is even in the eastern timezone.. back to the division with toronto, montreal etc

[Doggy 130]

You're right, it's just that they don't feel like west =P

In my dreams the wings play in eastern conference, where they belong, detroit is even in the eastern timezone.. back to the division with toronto, montreal etc

Believe me, living in Toronto, I'd appreciate that much more than you. But it's not a huge deal.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Doggy

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Originally, Columbus was supossed to be in the Eastern Conference. But then that whole Toronto thing happened.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

it seems like the media here in ohio barely acknowledges the blue jackets. really the only time they've been mentioned for more than a couple seconds (besides commercials) is when they made the playoffs

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

I don't see this happening anytime soon.

While the report stays $12 million last year, that was on the arena lease and other corporate dealings, not the NHL franchise specifically. Factoring the NHL franchise money, the loss is more like ~$7 million give or take.

Given that the report came out from the chamber of commerce affiliated group, this is more of a pre-emptive strike because the BJ's organization has been trying to re-work the deal with Nationwide on the lease itself.

I don't think the team will be going anywhere. The owner still has megabucks from his dad and Worthington Industries so I doubt he'll be selling it anytime soon.

[Barrie 900]

They really need to redo the CBA. The small market teams were far better off financially before the lockout. That salary cap floor is really hurting the league. About half of the teams can't bring in enough revenue to cover what they are forced to pay to the players.

Edit: The NFL is hurting too I've heard. It's funny, the league that doesn't have a cap, MLB, is the strongest financially.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Barrie

[henrik40 76]

It's a great hockey market there. Growing up in Ohio, while we lack talent at the high school level, it's still a big sport in northwest, northeast, and its really catching hold on central ohio. Their biggest problem is they will always play second fiddle to the Buckeyes, regardless of the season.

[dropkickshanahans 463]

Being a Michigan native, I was happy that Ohio got a hockey team and I'd be pissed if they had to move. Ohio's my favorite rival. I hate you guys, but I'd be sad that I couldn't hate you anymore if you left...

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Being a Michigan native, I was happy that Ohio got a hockey team and I'd be pissed if they had to move. Ohio's my favorite rival. I hate you guys, but I'd be sad that I couldn't hate you anymore if you left...

And I like having an NHL hockey team (or at least one posing as one) within an hour's drive of the house.

[sibiriak 84]

This is a PR campain by the CBJ management, who are trying to get the city/county government te give them money either in alcohol surtax or by taking over the arena and giving them a break on the lease.

When the expansion team was granted to Columbus, the voters refused to allow public funds to be used to finance the hockey arena. Instead, Nationwide Insurance company footed most of the bill. In exchange they got the naming rights in perpetutity and the lion share of parking, concessions, etc. Seeing as they forked over almost $200 mil. for the arena construction, it seemed fair. The new CBJ management, IMO, is trying to weasel out from under the deal they no longer like. Their timing is quite convinient , since the team is starting to draw well and is likely to make the playoffs again this year.

[shoe 165]

cant see it happening if it does I'll eat my hat.

[Chonmon 1]

I'd say mostly tools, especially after the playoff series and the throwing trash on the ice after Mule's game winner. Not to mention they make Pittsburgh fans look intelligent by shrieking every time a Jackets player falls down, screaming for a penalty when there isn't an opposing player within 20 feet.

Lol, ya I was at that game... to be honest I became sick to my stomach when that happened. I had a guy follow me in the parking garage from the 8th level to the bottom yelling obscenities... not that I didn't provoke him though lol (oh yeah i'm a wings/jackets fan: I have been a det fan for a very long time and they are my bread and butter, I also have love for the jackets too, but when the wings are in town the jackets can die -- hehe). I live in Columbus so I can say with some confidence that that disgusting act was the result of wasted osu fans who don't know a lick about hockey. Most people are "hockey dumb" around here and have no idea of what even the simplest rules are. That being said there are some fans here that are very smart and play the game too, but most would agree with me that the majority don't know crap.

Anyhoo, I really don't know what to think about this article. It could be ownership trying to get out of a bad deal, but it could be legit too. I've been to countless games at nationwide and for the most part I would say the arena sells "well." One guy on here said osu is stealing the limelight and people would much rather spend their money on them, and I totally agree with that statement. all of ohio is osu crazy, not just columbus (lets face it, it's the only team in ohio that can win stuff). so the jackets will alway be in the background. I do think there's room for them though. I'd say the first 4-6 years of the franchise were difficult years, but in the last 3 it really has cranked up (attendance wise). I sure hope we don't even come close to losing the Jackets... we were long overdue for a hockey team as it was (atleast to those who love the game).

shoot! Mods please delete post by me below.

Edited November 6, 2009 by Chonmon

[Chonmon 1]

Lol, ya I was at that game... to be honest I became sick to my stomach when that happened. I had a guy follow me in the parking garage from the 8th level to the bottom yelling obscenities... not that I didn't provoke him though lol (oh yeah i'm a wings/jackets fan: I have been a det fan for a very long time and they are my bread and butter, I also have love for the jackets too, but when the wings are in town the jackets can die -- hehe). I live in Columbus so I can say with some confidence that that disgusting act was the result of wasted osu fans who don't know a lick about hockey. Most people are "hockey dumb" around here and have no idea of what even the simplest rules are. That being said there are some fans here that are very smart and play the game too, but most would agree with me that the majority don't know crap.

Anyhoo, I really don't know what to think about this article. It could be ownership trying to get out of a bad deal, but it could be legit too. I've been to countless games at nationwide and for the most part I would say the arena sells "well." One guy on here said osu is stealing the limelight and people would much rather spend their money on them, and I totally agree with that statement. all of ohio is osu crazy, not just columbus (lets face it, it's the only team in ohio that can win stuff). so the jackets will alway be in the background. I do think there's room for them though. I'd say the first 4-6 years of the franchise were difficult years, but in the last 3 it really has cranked up (attendance wise). I sure hope we don't even come close to losing the Jackets... we were long overdue for a hockey team as it was (atleast to those who love the game).

[auxlepli 17]

Consider the source. Does ESPN ever, EVER, post a positve NHL story?