The Blue Jackets lease the arena from Nationwide Insurance, which privately funded the construction of the approximately $106 million facility after voters stuck down a proposed countywide ‘sin tax’ in 1997. As a result of their unique lease with the insurance giant, the Blue Jackets have lost upwards of $80 million over the past seven plus seasons.

A couple months ago, I spoke with Ohio State Professor Emeritus Stephen Buser, who led a study on the financial viability of the Blue Jackets and Nationwide Arena. His report offered a number of possible solutions to help the ailing franchise, and one of steps has already come to fruition in a Nationwide Arena-Schottenstein Center joint management deal. That is by no means a solution, but it is a step in the right direction.

On Wednesday night, Priest revealed little in his words, but sounded very optimistic.

“This is probably the first time I get to say this: we’re making really good progress. We actually have taken a large step forward,” he said. “I’ve got great confidence that we’re going to get something done in a manner that is not going to be a burden on the community.”

The “burden on the community” he spoke of is likely a reference to any sort of sales tax increase that would allow Franklin County to purchase the arena. That comes as no surprise, given the state of the economy and the fact numerous economic experts including Buser and Ty Marsh, CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, have reiterated that increasing taxes is not the route to go.

“I would say more in the near term than not. Within the next season we should be able to get a solution,” he said. “I’ve got to make it clear, we don’t have any commitments. We have no agreements in place, but the dialogue has been very productive. The ideas that are being submitted have real possibilities.”

Priest appears to have softened his stance a bit, after suggesting earlier this week that a deal could be struck “10 to 20 days.” The change of heart, or rather words, likely has more to do with the delicate negotiation process than backtracking.

He once again emphasized that despite speculation, the Blue Jackets will remain in Columbus for the foreseeable future.

“We’re here. We’re not going to go anywhere. We’re going to get this done.”

- Bart Logan

bartftc@gmail.com

Twitter: @bart_logan

Berry spent two years under Arniel in Manitoba from 2006-08 before leaving the team for family reasons.

Berry also spent time as a head coach as well as an assisant at the University of North Dakota where he played for three seasons. As a coach, Berry helped lead the Fighting Sioux to two WCHA Division titles, one WCHA playoff title in 2006 and three appearances in the Frozen Four.

Berry played for part of eight season in the NHL, collecting four goals and 28 assists. Berry and Arniel played as teammates as a part of the 1985-86 season with the Winnipeg Jets.

Arniel will name at least one other assistant coach in the coming days.

RO137807@ohio.edu – Twitter: @Rob_Ogden

Moncton's Brandon Gormley is one of three blue chip defenseman in this year's draft.

On Friday, the Columbus Blue Jackets will participate in the franchise’s eleventh NHL Entry Draft. Of those 11 first round picks, ten have been in the top eight selections, with 2009 first rounder John Moore (21st overall) being the exception. Yet, for the most part the Blue Jackets have received a relatively disappointing return on a plethora of “blue chip” prospects. The CBJ’s first round futility has been well documented.

This year, the Blue Jackets are sitting relatively comfortably at number four overall. I say “relatively” because although they will have their pick of three to four second tier prospects behind the perceived top two, Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, the pressure is building on general manager Scott Howson.

Over the past week, Howson saw two of his club’s Central Division rivals, St. Louis and Nashville, make moves that have radically reshaped their rosters. St. Louis traded a pair prospects, Lars Eller and Ian Schultz, to acquire the rights to Montreal’s playoff savant, Jaroslav Halak, and sure up their goaltending situation.

Nashville on the other hand, cleared house sending the rights of pending UFA Dan Hamhius to Philadelphia to reacquire young defender Ryan Parent. Just a few hours later, the Preds reunited their captain, Jason Arnott, with his old club, when they shipped him to New Jersey for right wing prospect Matt Halischuck and a second round pick.

While St. Louis’ move automatically makes them tougher competition in the Central Division – many, including myself, picked them to make the playoffs last season – it would be unwise to assume Nashville is waving the white flag on the 2010-2011 season. Nashville GM David Poile rarely makes poor personnel decisions and head coach Barry Trotz gets more out of his players than anyone in the league. I wouldn’t be surprised to if Nashville makes a couple of moves, if not draft day than July 1.

That’s all fine and dandy, but what does that have to do with the Blue Jackets?

Well, the consensus seems to be that the Blue Jackets, for better or for worse, have adopted a win-now mentality. With a win-now mentality and a division that boasts the last three Western Conference representatives in the Stanley Cup Finals – two of the last three winners at that – along with an improved St. Louis team, a GM might get a bit flustered. Maybe he starts to feel the pressure to make a reactionary move? A little bit of an itchy trigger-finger?

Fortunately for Columbus, Howson’s veins check in at around absolute zero. The only reactionary moves he will be making are in reactions to two of the franchise’s perennial needs: a no. 1 center and defenseman.

That no. 1 center is not likely to come through the draft. Seguin is sure to go in the top two and the drop off at the pivot is substantial enough that the CBJ would be unlikely to use the fourth overall selection on one, unless it’s part of a deal to acquire a proven one.

But a no. 1 defenseman you say? Well there are three potential blue line cornerstones available in this year’s draft, and at fourth overall, the Blue Jackets will have a choice of at least two of them. Those defenseman are Cam Fowler, Erik Gudbranson and Brandon Gormley.

Cam Fowler

Fowler spent the past season playing for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. The Farmington Hills, MI native put up some incredible offensive numbers to the tune of 8-47-55 over 55 games. He played a pivotal role on both the USA team that won the 2010 World Junior Championship, and the Spitfires, who took home their second consecutive Memorial Cup this past season. Director of NHL Central Scouting E.J McGuire described Fowler as the “prototypical offensive defenseman,” drawing comparisons to the likes of Brian Leech, Phil Housley and Tomas Kaberle.

“He’s your power play quarterback for years to come. He sees the ice – has the ability to control the tempo of the game from the blue line,” McGuire said. “His outstanding puck-handling and puck possession game sets him apart from almost every other defenseman eligible in this years draft.”

While Fowler has plenty of offensive upside, the knock on him is that he needs to bulk up to handle NHL forwards. No surprises there, as the 6-2 190 pound blue liner plays with little physical edge. And while I don’t want to take anything away from Fowler’s accomplishments, he certainly benefited from playing with veritable OHL All-Star team. Along with Hall, Fowler also benefited from playing with likes of Ryan Ellis, Zack Kassian and Greg Nemisz. And those are just the ones who were already selected in the first round over the past two seasons. It was Windsor’s Cup to lose, with or without Fowler.

Erik Gudbranson

If Fowler brings the flash, than Gubranson certainly brings the thunder. No player in this draft has seen his stock rise as much in the past few months as the hulking 6-4 195 pound defender from the Kingston Frontenacs. Gudbranson admittedly loves “playing with an edge” and “throwing big hits.” Despite playing an abbreviated season thanks to a knee injury and a bout with mono, Gudbranson managed 2-21-23 in 41 games. He’s surprisingly mobile for a defenseman, especially one of his stature. He also owns a right-handed cannon from the blue line that the CBJ would covet.

“Gudbranson to me is a guaranteed long-term NHLer. In my opinion, Gudbranson is another Chris Pronger-type,” McGuire said. “He is some kind of tough. Chris Pronger is mean and will hit you; Gudbranson will hit you and fight you.”

Gudbranson’s most underrated quality, and one that also draws Pronger comparisons, is his leadership. The native of Orleans, ON was an alternate captain on Kingston last season and spent time with the “C” as a 16-year-old OHL rookie. In addition he captained the Canadian U-17 and U-18 teams. Gubranson may have the highest ceiling of a defenseman in this year’s draft, but he’s likely the least NHL-ready of the big three, He would benefit from another year in juniors as well as time in AHL.

Brandon Gormley

Gormley may be the most intriguing defensive prospect for the Blue Jackets. He doesn’t fill up the stat sheet with points galore. He doesn’t knock opposing players through the glass. What the 6-2 190 Moncton Wildcats defenseman does is play the game with the poise of a 10-year NHL veteran. Gormley does not make bad decisions, with or without the puck. He can play the point on the power play – he teamed up with Columbus prospect David Savard on the Moncton PP blue line – and he can kill penalties. He makes crisp breakout passes and herds the puck while it’s on opponents’ sticks. His positioning is top-notch. Gormley’s game has been compared to the likes of Nicklas Lidstrom, Duncan Keith and Shea Weber.

“Gormley might be the best puck-controlling defenseman in the entire draft this year,” McGuire said.

NHL Central Scouting’s Chris Bordeleau echoes McGuire.

“Gormley has got the whole package. He’s got a good shot from the point, an accurate shot, low and can be deflected.”

Gormley helped lead Wildcats to the Memorial Cup round robin, despite the fact that the team was missing one of its top scorers, Kirill Kabanov: this draft’s enigmatic Russian winger. He also took home the Mike Bossy award as the QJMHL’s top professional prospect. The Murray River, PEI native has a very impressive pedigree. Prior to becoming the first overall pick in the “Q” entry draft, Gormley played at Notre Dame College in Saskatchewan, a program that has churned out it’s fair share of NHL stars. Gormley looks to be next in line.

Frankly, the Blue Jackets cannot go wrong with any of the three, at least not based upon current information. The consensus among the league seems to be that Florida will select Gudbranson with the third overall pick. While most see the Blue Jackets selecting Fowler in that case, I would argue for Gormley. While Fowler’s game is certainly conducive to the “new” NHL, it’s also similar to Moore’s, although there’s no denying Fowler is the better prospect. Gormley may not have the flash or the thunder, but he may be the best fit for a Blue Jackets team that desperately lacks stability on the back end.

-Bart Logan

bartftc@gmail.com

Twitter: @bart_logan

The changes come one week after the Blue Jackets named Scott Arniel head coach. With the firings, Arniel is given the opportunity to bring in his own assistants.

It is likely that Arneil will have two assistants opposed to the three that former coach Ken Hitchcock had under him. One of those rumored to be on Arniel’s short list is Brad Berry, who coached as an assistant under Arniel in Manitoba before stepping down two years ago for family matters.

Berry played 241 NHL games with Winnipeg, Minnesota and Dallas and was a teammate of Arniel’s in Winnipeg.

Columbus has already hired Kevin Collins to replace Brennan as the strength and conditioning coach. Collins previously held the same position for the Portland Pirates of the AHL.

It is also rumored that Noel is candidate for the same Manitoba Moose head coaching job vacated by Arniel last week.

Stay tuned, more will be posted as it becomes clear who Arniel will choose for his staff.

It did not take long for Scott Arniel to decide if he wanted the Blue Jackets head coaching job.

Scott Arniel is set to become the fifth head coach in Columbus Blue Jackets history. No false alarms this time. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson will introduce the new head coach tomorrow at a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. at Nationwide Arena.

Arniel accepted the CBJ coaching gig shortly after first choice Guy Boucher turned down an offer to take over the reigns. He has spent the last four seasons coaching the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, where he compiled a record of 181-106-0-33.

In 2008-2009 he won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the top coach in the AHL. His Moose made it to the Calder Cup Finals before falling in Hershey Bears in six games.

- Bart Logan

bartftc@gmail.com

Twitter: @bart_logan

Guy Boucher (Getty Images)

The Columbus Blue Jackets have offered their head coaching position to Guy Boucher, as broken by the Columbus Dispatch. Boucher will reportedly take the weekend to mull over the offer before making his decision early next week.

Boucher, 38, spent this past season coaching the Hamilton Bulldogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. He led the Bulldogs to a 52-17-3-8 record in 2009-2010, and came within one period of making the Calder Cup Finals in his first season with the team, his only coaching in the pros.

The consensus feeling is that Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Que. native was being “groomed” for the head coach spot at Montreal, which is currently occupied by Jacques Martin. That theory, along with his relative inexperience, has led to speculation that Boucher may not accept a National Hockey League coaching offer this year. Still, there is no debating that he is one of the rising stars in coaching, and he will find his way behind an NHL bench sooner rather than later.

Boucher has been influence by likes of Jacques Lemaire, Mike Babcock and Pat Quinn, but has gained notoriety for his own revolutionary system. Boucher’s teams play an “extremely aggressive” offensive style, focusing on moving the puck up the ice at all times and he is not shy about letting defenseman lead the rush.

“I’m very, very keen on developing offense,” Boucher said in an interview for hamiltonbulldogs.com. “For me, it’s about time and space — not giving it to the other team — and creating it for ourselves as fast as we can and as aggressively as we can.”

On the power play, Boucher applies an unusual 1-3-1 setup as opposed traditional overload or umbrella. One player sets up in front of the net, one in the high slot, and a pair along the sidewalls while a defenseman roves along the point. It creates havoc for penalty killers who can be easily exposed in a diamond or box arrangement.

Boucher also applies an unconventional 1-3-1 forecheck. The first skater in the zone pushes the puck toward the outside. The left defenseman sets up along the left wall, as opposed to center ice as is the case with most 1-3-1 systems. The other two forwards occupy the center ice and the right side, creating a wall in the neutral zone, and the right defenseman covers the back end, where he is free to adjust on the fly. Some have likened his forecheck to a full court press.

Boucher has also garnered plenty of praise for his ability to develop and motivate players, especially youngsters. The McGill University graduate has three degrees, including a master’s in sports psychology. Blue Jackets center Derrick Brassard played under Boucher in 2006-2007, when he was of the Drummondville Voltiguers, and he made no secret of his affinity for his former, and likely future, head coach.

“I’ve never played for a guy like him, a guy who is capable of getting the best out of every player,” Brassard said in an interview with The Dispatch. “He was always in your head, always keeping you energized and motivate.”

Despite all the positives, there are still plenty of questions surrounding the possible CBJ-Guy Boucher marriage. Although Boucher has seen success at every level of coaching so far, there is no guarantee that his system will succeed in the NHL, where so much time is spent breaking down video to expose any possible weakness. Teams will game plan and find holes.

There is also the issue of his experience. Boucher has spent only one season coaching professionals, and spent only three as a head coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League prior to that. Age could also be a factor as Boucher, who at 38-year-old, has only four years on the elder statesman of the Blue Jackets roster, Chris Clark. Although a player such as Clark would never admit it, some veterans do not mesh well with young, inexperienced coaches.

In addition, the current make-up of the Blue Jackets roster is not necessarily conducive to Boucher’s systems. With the exception of Kris Russell, and Anton Stralman on occasion, the Blue Jackets defense lacks the mobility and puck handling skills to push the play forward. There is also no question that there is a significant learning curve to adjust to Boucher’s system.

Still, there is no denying that, of the four final coaching candidates, Boucher is the most intriguing. That was clearly the case for Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson. While former Blue Jackets player and development coach Kevin Dineen was considered the early favorite for the position, Howson insisted on waiting to interview Boucher, whose playoff run with the Hamilton forced the coaching search to extend into June. Other candidates include Scott Arniel, head coach of the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, and Claude Noel, who took over after Ken Hitchcock was fired in February.

The Dispatch has reported that Howson met with Boucher twice. The first time was at the NHL Scouting Combine in Hamilton, Ont. last month.  The second conversation took place last week in Columbus, likely at John P. McConnell’s Double Eagle Golf Club.

It appears that the Blue Jackets have finally found their coach. Howson put in his time and due diligence, and it’s my belief that it will be reflected next season, regardless if Boucher is behind the bench or one of the other candidates. Then again, it could very well backfire if Boucher declines the position. Some have reported that there’s nothing left but hammering out the specifics of the contract, but with the Blue Jackets, you can never take anything for granted.

- Bart Logan

bartftc@gmail.com

Twitter: @bart_logan

Interim-coach Claude Noel will not have a second interview, however the report states that Noel is still in the running for the job.

It has also been confirmed that Detroit Red Wings assistant Paul MacLean is no longer in the running for the coaching position.

MacLean, who has been an assistant with Detroit since 2005, interviewed for the Columbus job last Tuesday and was told he would hear back from the club within a week.

The news of MacLean being ousted from the running comes as a surprise to some as many saw him as a strong candidate for the job.

Arniel was hired as Manitoba’s head coach in 2006, and won the AHL Coach of the Year award in only his third season at the helm, leading his team to the Calder Cup Finals.

According to the Winnipeg Sun, Arniel will also interview for the Atlanta Thrashers head coaching position.

Dineen, currently the coach of Portland Pirates of the AHL, played for the Blue Jackets from the team’s establishment in 2000 until he retired in 2002.

Dineen was named AHL Coach of the Year in 2006 after his first season with Portland.

Also still in the running for the job is Hamilton Bulldogs’ head man Guy Boucher.

In his only season with Hamilton, Boucher led the Bulldogs to a 52-17-11 record and like Dineen, won the AHL Coach of the Year award in only his first season.

Boucher’s team currently holds a 2-0 lead over the Texas Stars in the AHL Western Conference Finals. The Montreal Canadiens, Hamilton’s NHL affiliate, have said they will not stand in the way of Columbus speaking to Boucher.

Howson has indicated that the club is still a couple weeks away from making a hire, stating that it will most likely come in late May or early June.

Earlier this week, the Blue Jackets were granted permission by the Vancouver Canucks to interview minor-league coach Scott Arniel. Arniel, 47, has been the head coach of Vancouver’s AHL club the Manitoba Moose for the past four seasons.

In his time with Manitoba, Arniel has compiled a 181-106-33 record, taking his team to the AHL playoffs all four seasons. In 2009, Arniel led his club to the league’s best regular-season record en route to winning the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award as AHL coach of the year.

An interview with Arniel is likely to take place next week. After ousting the Los Angeles Kings, The Canucks play the Chicago Blackhawks in a second-round playoff series beginning later this week.

Other candidates Howson will likely be requesting to interview are former Blue Jacket Kevin Dineen and current associate coach of the Nashville Predators Brent Peterson.

Dineen is currently the head coach of the Portland Pirates, AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, and because of his obvious ties to the Columbus organization has been mentioned as a possible replacement since Ken Hitchcock was let go.

Peterson’s Predators were bounced from the playoffs earlier this week by Chicago, and Howson is likely waiting for the team to finish their end-of-season duties before requesting permission to speak to Peterson.

Interim head coach Cluade Noel is also a candidate for the permanent job. In his time with the interim tag, Noel went 10-8-6 behind the Columbus bench.

Other possible candidates Howson may look to interview are Detroit assistant coach Paul MacLean and Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher.

MacLean is generally considered off-limits while the Red Wings remain alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Detroit defeated Phoenix last night in a game seven route to earn a spot in round two.

The Hamilton Bulldogs are the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens who face the top-seeded Washington Capitals tonight in a deciding game seven.

Howson has said he would like to wrap up the coaching search before the end of May.

Stay tuned.

RO137807@ohio.edu – Twitter: @Rob_Ogden

The origins of the playoff beard can be traced back to the 1980′s and the New York Islander dynasty. From 1980-1983 the Islanders won four straight Stanley Cup titles and did it while sporting some beards that would make Chuck Norris blush.

Islanders players like Ken Morrow, Butch Goring, John Tonelli, Clark Gillies, and Gord Lane all grew out the beard come playoff time, leading them to 19 straight playoff series wins.

After the fall the of the Islander dynasty the playoff beard went into a brief hiatus but is believed to have made it’s return to the NHL with the ’93 Montreal Canadiens and the ’95 New Jersey Devils on their way to the franchise’s first cup. The beard has been a staple in Lord Stanley’s Playoffs ever since.

Today, common practice is to not shave until you win the cup or your team is eliminated from postseason play. The beard is practiced by many around the league regardless of their innate beard-growing ability.

Some of the best beards in recent memory belong to Jean Sebastien Giguere, who during his 2003 run to the finals admitted that both he and his wife hated the beard, however he had to do it for the team, Bret Hedican, and Niedermayer brothers Rob and Scott after winning the cup with Anaheim in 2007.

Current Blue Jacket Mike Commodore (right) has taken the beard a step further and made it a ritual of letting his hair grow out as well.

Others however, are not quite as successful when it comes to growing out the facial hair. But Sidney Crosby is proof that quantity isn’t everything. The peach fuzz the Pittsburgh captain sported last season was enough the carry the Penguins to the cup.

Chicago’s Patrick Kane, who claims he cannot grow a beard, shows off a playoff mullet instead.

The beard has even led to charity events as some teams hold  beard-a-thons in order to raise donations for charitable organizations.

It has also become a way for fans to show support during the playoffs. Sportscenter hockey analysts Barry Melrose and Matthew Barnaby have also been known to sport the beard come playoff time.

The beard is not only common in the NHL, but many minor hockeys leagues across the North America and Europe as well. The beard has transcended hockey and is even practiced in other sports such as the NFL and the NBA.

So while it’s a long, tough road through the playoffs, losing the razor might be the key to the cup.

RO137807@ohio.edu – Twitter: @Rob_Ogden

The top five remained unchanged and will draft in the reverse order that they finished in the final standings: Edmonton, Boston (from Toronto), Florida, Columbus and the New York Islanders.

The rest of the first round looks like this: Tampa Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, Minnesota, New York Rangers, Dallas, Anaheim, Phoenix (from Calgary), rounded out by St. Louis at 14. The remaining draft positions will be determined at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With the number one selection, Edmonton will be forced to make the decision between Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, the two players widely regarded as the top NHL prospects.

With the fourth overall pick, The Blue Jackets will also have to pick between quality players. Some names to remember that could be taken at four overall are defensemen Cam Fowler, Erik Gudbranson and Brandon Gormley.

Fowler, the lone American on the list, is an assists machine. In 55 games this past season with OHL Windsor, Fowler tallied 55 points including 47 helpers.

If Columbus is looking to add someone other than a defenseman, Brett Connolly and Nino Niederreiter are two forwards that are expected to be early lottery picks.

This is the fourth time in five years that the team with the worst record has retained the first overall pick.

This is also the fourth time Columbus has owned the fourth overall pick. They drafted defenseman Rostislav Klesla in 2000, Nikolai Zherdev in ’03 and traded down in ’04.