The Final Post

The canceling of the 2013 Winter Classic is the final straw for me. Thanks to the greed of owners and players and Bettman and Fehr, I give up. I'm done with the NHL. I have no time to waste on fools arguing over a giant pile of money. They'll get no money from me again. Now or ever.

I'm out.

JD

Encompassing the first good signing in a while, the Jackets add John Davidson as the person in charge of hockey. Former goalie, commentator and most recently jettisoned by St. Louis after building the team up to respectability via youth, Davidson brings credibility to an organization lacking it. No one is a miracle worker, but his hiring constitutes a step in the right direction. Well, assuming there is hockey this year... or next.

Separated at birth? Chef Boyardee and John Davidson

Greed

I'll offer no comment about the lockout. There's no point to commentary on the subject.  I have no interest in the negotiations or in speculation. Jimmy Devellano was partially right. There are cattle involved in NHL hockey, but it's the fans, not the players, coaches and GMs. We're taken for granted, pushed by ticket prices and arena costs... and the gate is left open for us to meander back home.

 Here's to the owners who purport to need protection from themselves and to the players who seem to be arguing that the system may be flawed but the owners wanted it, so screw 'em. Bad faith all around. Keep it hostile, boys.

 See in in December, next year or never again. Hard to say.

What?

The hammer finally falls as the Jackets deal the team's best player of all time - Rick Nash. Earlier I read this on Twitter on a break and began dreaming of the riches brought in for such a star. The Rangers must have given a lot for such a prime player!

 Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, Artem Anisimov and a first-round pick. That's it.

You see a game-changer?

Anyone in that list going to make you go to Nationwide Arena and buy tickets?

 The embarrassing ineptitude of this organization has grown to epic proportions. Keep in mind that the draft with the 3 first rounders they have doesn't happen for practically another year. Give a season or three for those guys to have a real effect. That's four more years of bad hockey. And the poor offense that Columbus fans had to endure last season has now been stripped of its best (okay, only) weapon.  

Good luck with that, Howson.

The Draft

Defenseman Ryan Murray was taken #2 overall by the Jackets. At 6'1" and 195 pounds he should add some weight down the line, but they took him because he should be able to step in soon. Soon as in next season. A good skating, smart defenseman would be something new for Columbus. Important given the events earlier in the day. Before the draft began Columbus sent second and fourth rounders in this year's draft and a fourth round pick next year to the Flyers for 23 year old goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Consider Mason and Sandford to be on notice. The young Russian has been a solid backup in Philly. Seems like a lot to give up for backup. Unless of course he's who Howson believes will be the new starter. We shall see.

Brodeur the Great I've been silent during the playoffs. As a Jackets fan, it's the time of year to happily watch playoff hockey while trying to choke down the disappointment in not being invited to the dance. It's also the annual questioning of Martin Brodeur by the armchair cowboys and media who have run out of Tortorella stories. I was elated to see Brodeur outduel Lundquist and send the Devils to the finals against the juggernaut eighth seed Kings. When you beat the 1, 2 and 3 seeds... Well, you're on an epic roll. Nonetheless I couldn't help but be captivated by Brodeur and his still off the charts compete level. He does, and always has, all the little things to win. A key poke check on a breakaway, a backing of the glove atop the desperate pad stack and never missing the chance to punish an opponent camped in his crease. He and his teammates do the tough, unglamorous, unpretentious things every minute if every period of every game, and that level of commitment to intensity and greatness is missing from the Blue Jackets game. The little things that add up to a Cup.

The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny

With a 48% chance to get the first pick in the draft, the Jackets lose the first pick to Edmonton and their 18% chance. For the third year in a row the Oilers have the top spot. It's unbelievable. Howson could fall into a barrel of nipples and come out sucking his thumb.