- Error
I just received that image via an email attached with a video message from Steve Mason (i.e. sales pitch).
Obviously the CBJ are hurting for ticket sales which comes as no surprise when you lose 9 out of 10 seasons. Making one rather insignificant move to your roster won't do much to rouse excitement for this team either.
I feel bad for the CBJ ticket folks because quite frankly it's like selling real estate in Detroit. Who wants to invest in that dump?
I applaud them for trying to get creative but at this stage, winning will be the only cure.
I found the Portzline post on the changes new HC Arniel made to the locker room interesting.
It's not what Anriel is changing that is interesting - what is interesting is the lack of acknowledgement to the major changes that Ken Hitchcock put in place before Arniel's arrival.
For instance, that special teams room that was mentioned as being too small never even existed before Hitch. In fact there was no video review room at all and that room that is referenced was used an office for GM Doug MacLean -- what kind of GM has an office in the damn locker room anyways?
I digress.
Also when Hitch took over the video equipment that was there wasn't even hooked up!
The wall of fame that Arniel moved -- again, that didn't even exist until Hitch had one put up to recognize the team's accomplishments.
He also added a lot more lighting to the main locker room so the players could actually see what they were doing.
This may not sound like much to many of you -- but it's unfathomable to me that a professional NHL team over the past decade did not utilize video to review and breakdown not only their play - but more importantly their opponents!!
It's these kinds of things that all add up to where this franchise is today. It really isn't a joke when we say Doug MacLean set this franchise back 5 years.
I digress.
I certainly don't care that Arniel changing things up as it's his squad now -- alot of what is mentioned makes perfect sense. I do love Arniel's plan to put the Western Conference standings front and center in the room. As a fan I feel better knowing that the players are constantly being reminded where they stand in terms of that thin red line.
Lets give Hitch some credit though for putting many of these things in place to begin with! Hitch had his flaws (who doesn't?) but he did a lot behind the scenes to bring this franchise into the modern day NHL.
This new guy in charge of the NHL Network isn't screwing around - I received an NHL Fan Faceoff Panel email request to take a new NHL survey that covered every inch of the NHL Network viewing experience. Heck, it even asked how the graphics should be placed.
It was very thorough and gives me hope that we'll see some positive change on the network sooner than later.
Fox Sports Ohio should take note.
Speaking of, how many HD games are we getting this season? I'm not holding my breath.
Also if I'm not mistaken - I think this may be Fox Sports Ohio's last year of holding the Jackets television rights. It's either this year or the next.
I've heard through the grapevine that Doug MacLean was the one who negotiated the current deal and pretty much gave it away. In other words the Jackets don't make squat on their current TV deal.
My bet is they end up back with FSNOH but perhaps Sports Time Ohio makes a play?
Whomever gets the rights the Jackets must demand that every game be shown in HD as part of the package.
This has kind of flown under the radar but the Traverse City Tournament starts this Saturday! You can find the full schedule and rosters here.
It doesn't look like any games will be shown... well, anywhere.
Also as a reminder that camp for the big boys starts on Friday September 17th with them taking the ice for the first time on Saturday the 18th.
Thanks for the reminder Ted!
-LTL
