In my first piece on the Phoenix court case, I noted that the recent ruling appeared to be a “tenuous” victory for the NHL, Glendale and some of the Coyotes’ creditors. I then embarked on a quest to find a copy Judge Baum’s actual ruling, as I was curious why he devoted 21 pages to [...]
June 22nd, 2009 | Jeff Little | 5 comments | ContinuedUncategorized
The Arena Chronicles — Part I — The Present
Well, at long last my fingers have made it to the keyboard, and my take on the Blue Jackets/Arena situation is underway. While my tardiness has been due in part to work commitments, I have also spent a lot of time digging into the details and background, to the extent possible, in order to paint [...]
June 19th, 2009 | Jeff Little | 5 comments | Continued
Almost there . . .
Beginning to feel like the teaser for a new TV series here, but this has been a slow and more complex process than I thought, combined with an extraordinarily busy time at work. Lots of reading, lots of research, but I think I now have a fairly balanced pool of information to present. Thanks for [...]
June 16th, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
Balsillie Foiled Again
It appears that Hamilton will have to wait a bit longer for an NHL franchise. Gary Bettman outmaneuvered Jim Balsillie in the United States Bankruptcy Court, with Judge Redfield Baum ruling tonight that there is insufficient time to adequately address the complicated legal issues attendant to a franchise move before Balsillie’s self-imposed June 29 deadline. [...]
June 16th, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
More Arena News On The Way
As many of you may have heard, the Blue Jackets held a Roundtable last night for members of the blogging community that regularly cover the CBJ. While I was tied up in meetings, and did not become aware of the invitation until the event was underway, the Blue Jackets have come to the rescue. Todd [...]
June 3rd, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
The Sky Is Not Falling . . .
With the revelation that the Blue Jackets have lost in the neighborhood of $80 million since 2002, and that discussions were afoot to transfer ownership of Nationwide Arena to Franklin County, utilizing a “sin tax” increase, the full range of doomsayers, conspiracy theorists and panic-mongers are emerging and forecasting imminent Armageddon at the hands of [...]
May 29th, 2009 | Jeff Little | 4 comments | Continued
Stop Me If You Have Heard This One Before . . .
Work has been a nightmare for the past few weeks, so I have been unforgiveably absent from the blogosphere for that period of time. For better or worse, I am back, and am working on several pieces on the draft, broadcasters, etc. Watch this space! Anyway, could not resist the opportunity to point everyone to [...]
May 22nd, 2009 | Jeff Little | 1 comment | Continued
Ryan Salmons Loses His Battle
The CBJ family lost one of their most ardent and courageous followers yesterday, when Ryan Salmons succumbed to the cancer that he had so valiantly battled for the past year.Ryan’s death comes just eight days after I saw him in the locker room after the Jackets’ Game 4 elimination at the hands of the Detroit [...]
May 2nd, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
Another Level
In the aftermath of Game 4 vs. the Red Wings, my gut instinct was to pounce on the keyboard, vent about the officiating, decry the injustice and gush about the energy and atmosphere in the arena. Somehow, I thought better of it. Instead, I decided to take a bit of a breather, let the immediate [...]
May 1st, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
Out But Not Down . . .
The Blue Jackets may have lost a game tonight, but they gained far more than that. In trading scoring blows with the Detroit Red Wings, taking the best they had and giving it right back to them, the Jackets climbed far up the ladder in seasoning, respect and character.There will be plenty of time to [...]
April 24th, 2009 | Jeff Little | 2 comments | Continued
An Amazing Piece Of History . . .
I may have just witnessed the most amazing period of hockey in Bluejackets history. In the playoffs for the first time . . .at home . . .against the Red Wings . . . elimination game . . . trailing 3 – 1 entering the period. First, under 2 minutes in, Nash on the [...]
April 24th, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
Time To Shine!!!
About 20 minutes to puck dropping, and unfortunately this is a much different atmosphere than Tuesday. Where the seats were packed long before the game started then, Nationwide is 70% empty right now, with the majority apparently still outside, perhaps engaging in the consumption of an adult beverage or two. I am sure the energy [...]
April 23rd, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
A Helluva Show!!!
I will be reviewing the game later, but full marks to the City of Columbus, the Blue Jackets organization, affiliated sponsors, and the fan base for putting on a great, great show. From the carnival atmosphere on the Plaza, to the massive line for free Blue Jackets flags (nice idea, Nationwide!!), to the elbow-to-elbow crowds [...]
April 22nd, 2009 | Jeff Little | 0 comments | Continued
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