Thursday's Ice Report: Blue Jackets leaving Columbus?

11:36am - Thursday, November 5th, 2009 by DePaoli

Blue Jackets losing $12 million a year

More bad news for the NHL? The Columbus-Dispatch reported today that "the Columbus Blue Jackets could leave central Ohio if the team can't fix an economic model that is causing losses of $12 million a year, according to a report issued today by the Columbus Chamber.

According to the report, a deal to keep the hockey team here and the Arena District alive, (the team and the district generated $30 million in taxes last year), probably will include asking for public dollars, and soon."

"We believe there is a sense of urgency here," said Ty D. Marsh, chamber president and CEO. "We're looking for a solution or progress by the end of the year."

Columbus though is developing a strong fan base unlike struggling financial teams Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Colorado, New York Islanders and Florida who can't fill the stands.

Burke denies trade talks with Blackhawks

There continues to be speculation that a Tomas Kaberle - Patrick Sharp swap could be in the works but Leafs GM Brian Burke tells the Toronto Star, "No legs. Have never discussed Kaberle with either team," Burke indicates regarding Kaberle going to Chicago or Carolina.

Semin contract talks not progressing

The Washington Capitals have two key restricted free agents in Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom. The frame work of a deal is in place with Backstrom, which the term of the contract is believed to be 8-10 years in the $5.5 million range but the Capitals have their work cut out for them regarding Alexander Semin.

There has been talk coming out of Washington that Semin is seeking upwards of $7.5 million per season.

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Comments

mwalluk

1. Here's hoping Columbus stays. 2. Kessel to Sharp would be a sick duo. Leafs would have a legit 1st line. 3. Here's hoping the Caps go in disarray. Semin is not 7.5 good. He's good, but he's not elite.

11/05/2009 11:53am

Monrovian12

Columbus should be able to stick it out, they have a great thing going up there...Kessel and Sharp would be nice, but Toronto still sucks...I think Backstrom is better than Semin...and watching Mike Green suck is great, embarassed by Nash a few nights ago, and puts one in his own net last night.

11/05/2009 11:59am

Cory7321

Too bad Columbus isn't in the East. I'd like to play them more then 1 or 2 times a year. Semin wants 7.5 a year? Good luck buddy.

11/05/2009 12:05pm

mwalluk

Sad thing is a desperate team would over pay for him

11/05/2009 12:30pm

mwalluk

The Anaheim Ducks placed center Erik Christensen on waivers

11/05/2009 12:37pm

j_s15226

I saw that....So much talent, never put it together

11/05/2009 12:50pm

bob_sacamanto

colorado and the islanders are rebuilding. the pther teams just need to relocate to legit hockey cities IE winnipeg, quebec

11/05/2009 1:06pm

Agreed.Florida especiially needs to change. Miami is too latin based for hockey to really gain much legs there. I'd guess Florida would be the first team to go.

11/05/2009 1:09pm

how much does christensen make? Maybe he benefits with the new system and an opportunity to play on the top 2 lines but then again probably not

11/05/2009 1:10pm

Colorado never had a struggling fan base before they had one of the best. I guess they were all Joe Sakic fans

11/05/2009 1:12pm

dirtmccurt

At 750k I wouldn't mind seeing EC back in a penguins jersey. We could use the faceoff wins and the shootout goals

11/05/2009 1:19pm

in fairness to EC he never got a real chance to play with 87 or 71. i find it hard to believe with a shot like that he wouldnt be able to finish some of the chances sid and geno would provide for him

11/05/2009 1:32pm

Monrovian12

With the way Sid has been in the shootout and on the faceoff, Crusher would be useless by those two stats...

11/05/2009 1:51pm

pfgreen

I hate Semin, I really do hope that the Capitals go into disarray. I'd much rather pay the 22 million to Fleury, Malkin, and Crosby, than to pay the same amount for Ovechkin Backstrom and Semin

11/05/2009 1:56pm

dirtmccurt

Well to my knowledge Sid doesn't take every faceoff nor can he take all 3 shots in the shootout so inform me how he would be useless.

11/05/2009 3:12pm

Monrovian12

Crusher has no spot on the Pens, there is no player that I would sit for him. Not even Godard.

11/05/2009 3:21pm

j_s15226

Monrovian: I hope thats not your friends in your pic. JERSEY FOUL! lol

11/05/2009 3:40pm

Monrovian12

It is not...I took that at a Pens Hurricanes game...I went up to them and said," Oh, I love your jerseys!." Those things are abominations,

11/05/2009 3:43pm

j_s15226

HILARIOUS.....those things are hideous! Did you send it to the empty netters blog at the PG?

11/05/2009 4:17pm

↑ previous comments ↑

Monrovian12

Yup, along with my penguin pumpkin photos...they should be up on Sunday...I want to say Seth has seen this one before, but you never know...

11/05/2009 4:30pm

zerocool6687

Why the hell would the Hawks trade FOR another HIGH priced D man... yes Kaberle is good but adding 5 more mill to the roster to move a 3 million dollar guy on a team that needs to shed salary for Kane and Toews also considering that Keith , Campbell, Barker, Seabrook and to some extent Hjarmalsson (potential top 4 guy decent offensive upside.. puck mover) all play in Chicago this rumour make NO SENSE! Must have come from the Ottawa Sun.. those guys who write for that shit rag are retarded!

11/06/2009 12:05am

JNuss

God, Semin is so full of himself.

11/06/2009 4:47pm

JNuss

Ya know, I always liked Erik Christensen and agree that he never got his opportunity in the top 6 or in the proper system. However, like Sykora, I feel he is too lazy and uncommitted to both sides of the puck to play in our system. He def has the skill to finish, just don't think it would work.

11/06/2009 4:48pm