Columbus Blue Jackets Notes: Is Nikita Filatov Finally Coming to North America?

First up a reader pointed out in the comments of another post that according to Nikita Filatov's blog he is planning on arriving in North America between September 7-9 to prepare for camp.

I think I express the thoughts of many out there when I say I'll believe it when I see it. I know this kid's story about his commitment to the NHL has stayed the same since the draft—but color me skeptical until his butt is firmly planted in central Ohio.

It just seems this date keeps getting pushed and pushed. At first it was August, then it was as soon as he got his visa, and now its just a few days before rookie camp begins.

I want to believe in this kid—I really do—but with all that's going on with the KHL and hockey in Russia, and the sting that remains from guys like Svitov, bolting I'm going to wait until he shows before breathing a sigh of relief.

In other CBJ related news, Lindsay Kramer has done a fantastic job of covering the dispute between the Crunch and Onondaga County Legislature on a $9.1 million package to refurbish the War Memorial—the oldest arena in the AHL. Unfortunately the crowning jewel of the package—a new $750,000 scoreboard—was left out.

Crunch owner Howard Dolgon's response: "I think it's another band-aid,'' he said. "It's more duct tape. It's business as usual.''

"We've been good soldiers,'' Dolgon said. "What more can we do to show them we are here to stay long term? But it's been a one-way commitment for too long.''

When asked about the possibility of moving the team:

"I don't think we need to make inquiries,'' he said. "People follow this. There are a lot of empty buildings in bigger markets that would throw a party to get us.''

Kramer goes on to speculate that markets like Florida, Brooklyn, Oklahoma City and Kansas City could come calling.

Kramer has a follow up entry here with even more quotes.

From the perspective of an outsider looking in, the Crunch have played in Syracuse since 1994. Their owner seems genuine and is not asking for the world.

Furthermore, it appears the scoreboard has been in the works since the last lease was signed—and although it was not "guaranteed" in the lease's verbiage, it sure appears that it was the way all parties were steering.

It will be interesting to follow how this story develops. Dolgon may be forced to use the only hammer he's got, and that's to listen to other offers from interested cities. With only a year to go on the lease, I'm sure there will be some folks out there willing to finance the Crunch breaking it.

At the end of the day, this whole thing doesn't seem to be on the owner or the fans, as both have supported one another. The problem is the facilities, and the commitment by the city to improving them.

I've got to feel for the Crunch, as no matter what sport you choose to support, nobody wants their team to move.

Let hops both parties can get something worked out.

Be sure to check out NHL.com's preview of the Jackets here. A teaser:

The key word in Columbus this season is depth, which is something the Blue Jackets have never really had until now.

They have depth up front with the potential of 15 or more NHL-ready forwards. They have depth on the back end with eight or nine NHL-ready defenseman. They have depth in goal with a true No. 1 backed by a veteran and an up-and-comer.

Will it translate into the organization's first playoff berth? That's still unknown, but coach Ken Hitchcock believes Columbus is closer than it's ever been and it's finally fair to put some lofty expectations on his revamped club.

"As coaches we all get excited because it's a new year, but the players know when you're legitimately competitive or not, and the players we have coming back know exactly what we have done and they are really jacked up," Hitchcock told NHL.com. "They see this as the best team in the existence of the franchise and they are excited because they see this as a legit opportunity to get to the dance."

There are also new articles on Filatov and Goloubef.