- Error
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
