Columbus Dispatch report on Ownership Meeting

[ysubuck]

For those that don't want to read it here is a synopsis of what is being reported in today's Columbus Dispatch by Aaron Portzline:

~Scott Howson and Mike Priest will be back for another go round next season.  You could probably stop there, but wait, there's more.
~The team is ready to cut ties with Steve Mason.  He'll be gone next season.  Could be as soon as sometime this season via waivers.  Either way, we won't have him to knock around anymore.
~Todd Richards could be back, especially if Howson is being retained.
~Don't be surprised to see Jeff Carter gone by the end of February.  Even with him saying all the right things, his play has shown that he just doesn't want to be in Columbus.
~Guys like Pahlsson, Prospal, Huselius could likely be gone by the end of February as well.

Here's the kicker...Howson is counting on a change in luck next season as reason to be optimistic.  There you have it folks.  The guy making the decisions is counting on a change in luck next year.  Not major, painful roster moves.  Not blowing up this god awful team.  But, hey, maybe we'll get lucky next year. 

The ONLY thing left for this team to screw up is the top pick.  They'll win just enough to pick 6th and get another terrific prospect to "develop."  I'm growing to hate this team.

http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/content/stories/2012/1/22/priest-howson-look-safe-with-jackets.html#comment

[alxzanki]

By the looks of the comments in the article I think ownership has too start listening more to the media and fans, it's like they are isolated from the world and have lost track of the reality there decisions and the impacts.

[jackets 4 life]

PLEASE don't let Vinny Prospal go so easy! If this happens, I won't know what to think!

[dasnut]

The writing is on the wall folks.  Ownership will be looking for a new buyer soon.  As much as this organization needs a new outlook on life, I fear a new owner would prefer to relocate this team elsewhere.   It's a damn shame.  

[vthockey]

Can't relocate the team, what would they do with the Casino money?
Maybe getting rid of those mentioned would get new blood that might make a difference.
A big change like a move may be the only answer.

[bluejacketsfanwpsl]

yeah....

what's the status of the city and county buying the arena?

[thanks4thebj]

BJ's got a raw deal in the proposed realignment plan IMO.i thought for sure Columbus would be the team to move to the East. then Det. started crying, then they introduced that other plan, then the bottom fell out. i really think BJ's would do much better with a clean slate and a new batch of teams to play against. i gotta believe that's a better plan than relying on luck.

[InauguralCBJFan]

yeah....

what's the status of the city and county buying the arena?

This is the most recent article I can find on the issue, but it seems as if the deal is moving along accordingly.

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/12/12/ohios-10m-loan-for-nationwide-arena.html

As for the ownership meeting:
You REALLY want Howson back as the GM when he has proved over and over again that he is incapable of putting a team together on the ice? And what does Mike Priest actually DO for this organization?

[Tuskin]

You might as well get ready for us to set records next year.

Record low attendance
Record low scoring
Record low nhl wins
Record consecutive losses in a row in nhl history
Record high goals against
Record high shots on goal allowed

need I continue?

[raf66]

Our entire organization, from ownership to management to players, is a sad lot.  We seem to have the talent to win games, but we seem absolutely lost.  I can't figure out if it's just a bad mix of players, a bad system or what, but you almost have to TRY to lose most every game to play like we're playing.  This has to be one of THE biggest disappointments in recent NHL history after the roster moves we made in the off season.

[bluejacketsfanwpsl]

You might as well get ready for us to set records next year.

Record low attendance
Record low scoring
Record low nhl wins
Record consecutive losses in a row in nhl history
Record high goals against
Record high shots on goal allowed

need I continue?

I'm a homer, but I doubt it. 

record low attendance is probably right.  as for NHL records...they've been playing a long time and you just never know.

Either way, the sun will come up tomorrow.