John Boruk of CSN Philadelphia has compiled a pretty interesting list, ranking all 30 NHL general manager/coaching combos.
“The two most important off-ice positions of any NHL franchise are the general manager and the head coach,” Boruk writes. “GMs will be busy right up to the trade deadline and coaches will be feeling the pressure as the postseason draws closer.
“Which pair would you want leading your franchise?”
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (Scott Howson/Todd Richards) – Simply put, the Blue Jackets have the worst points percentage of any active NHL team over their first nine seasons in the league, and Howson has done little to change that. He acquired Carter in a blockbuster deal with the Flyers, but already Carter has expressed dissension playing in Columbus. The Jackets have made the playoffs only once in their 11-year history. They rewarded R.J. Umberger with a surprising five-year, $23 million extension and overpaid for defenseman James Wisniewski. Head coach Richards replaced Scott Arniel in early January.
The second is that the men who made that trade — team president Mike Priest and GM Scott Howson — are both likely to be retained even after this catastrophic season.
Can you believe that?
It's their team. It's their money. It's their call. But is there any logical, sane argument that could be made for keeping either or both men in control of the franchise if they turn around and trade Carter, affirming their initial deal for him as one of the worst in team history?
No wonder Blue Jackets fans are protesting.
Blue Jackets fans are planning a protest at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, asking for the ouster of Priest and Howson. It may not set attendance records, but it's another reminder that this isn't a lost market. It's a market that's been ready to embrace a winner with rabid fervor; but the current regime, sadly, seems incapable of giving them one. Read more.
To be clear, it is not the place of this blog – certainly this reporter – to call for anybody's head.
But it’s painfully obvious that something significant must be done to salvage what has become the biggest mess in the NHL. Minor moves won’t cut it. It can't be player in, player out. Can’t be just pending UFA for future draft pick. It's not about having enough speed, strength, skill or smarts ... it's about culture. The numbers don’t add up because the math is all wrong. Read more.
VancouverSun.com / TheStarPhoenix.com / EdmontonSun.com:
Blue Jackets fans see red
Scott Arniel was fired as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this season, but some fans want the housecleaning to continue.
They plan to make themselves heard on Saturday.
The Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday that fans plan to protest outside Nationwide Arena and call for the dismissal of team president Mike Priest and general manager Scott Howson.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are off for a few days as the NHL reaches the All-Star break.
But fans won't be taking time away from Nationwide, as a group of fans is planning a protest for Saturday.
NBC4 reached out to the Blue Jackets organization for comment, but a spokesperson said they do not have one at this time.
Some fans who said they will participate in the protest said they want to message to be clear: they love the team, but want to see a winning product on the ice and a change in management.
The ‘Occupy’ Blue Jackets movement has garnered steam, both locally and nationally. Hockey publications both in Ohio and across America are picking up this story.
Will this protest resonate with ownership? Its history would suggest otherwise. But it could be the beginning of unyielding fan outrage which could result in ownership action until their demands of a competitive NHL product and long-overdue accountability with senior management and the players are met.
We’ve seen protests in Montreal against the hiring of Randy Cunneyworth but protesting a team for failing to get things right in a city desperate to root for a winner seems like a nobler effort. In Columbus where the team has made the playoffs once in team history and the team is perpetually losing money, wanting to see the people in charge ousted makes a world of sense.
The other side of this, however, is whether or not the fans can help make the message crystal clear that they demand better.
Here is what I find very interesting.
There may be some disagreement locally on how to get the message out that Priest and Howson have got to go -- that is expected as one size never fits all. What's interesting is I have yet to find any national media outlet or any fan of another team that has defended that both Mike Priest and Scott Howson should keep their jobs.
Not one. Just check out this thread to see what I mean.
From what I can tell, it's damn near universal outside of Columbus circles that they have got to go before this team has any hope of turning things around.
Anyhow -- let's keep getting the word out. Below is a list of contacts for some media outlets in Central Ohio. If each one of you who reads this blog post could pick just one below and make a phone call or send an email then you will be doing your part to help spread the word. Sure some may already know of it, but the more they hear from this grass roots movement the more attention it will receive.
My only request is that we all keep the message consistent. Here is a quote from the person who started this on HF (Capn) as well as one from a long time fan (LeeSmith) on their goals:
CapnCornelius:
Ideally, I'd like to see at least 5 Jackets fans speak about their love of the team and their desire to see JMac's dream fulfilled, the first step to accomplishing such goal being the replacement of the present inexperienced and failed management team with one befitting of the fans, players like Rick Nash who have committed themselves to this team and this city and the memory of John McConnell. And, Mr. Bettman, if he's watching, should get the message we also would like an All Star Game of our own someday.
LeeSmith:
(On just firing the GM)
It has to go higher than that. We need ownership to GET SERIOUS and stop thinking of this franchise as an expensive hobby (or tax shelter). We need a new team President, who will hire a new GM and new assistant GM. Then the changes roll down from there.
If you want to keep it real simple then my recommendation is:
LOVE the team, HATE the direction.
The #1 goal of this protest is the replacement of Mike Priest and Scott Howson.
HFBOARDS: Thread Discussion
FACEBOOK: Event Link
TWITTER: #CBJFANPROTEST
-LTL
