The McConnell Video: My Take

If you consider yourself anything close to a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets, you surely have taken a gander at CBJ majority owner John P. McConnell's video summarizing the state of his team, and his thoughts on both the team and the pesky arena situation going forward.

If you want to read a summary of the video (meaning excerpts of McConnell's comments), go check out Puck Rakers.  If you want some reasoned analysis, check out Rick Gethin at The Hockey Writers and Jeff Little at Ten Minute Misconduct.  If you want a little sandpaper in your analysis, Light The Lamp is the place for you.

Without diving into the details of the video, my general take follows after the jump...

I watched the video last night.  A couple of times.  I slept on it.  I watched it again this morning.  And the only significant conclusion I have is that Mr. McConnell hasn't spoken to me on an emotional level.  He's in a tough situation, being the son of the Man Who Brought The NHL To Columbus, as Jeff Little mentioned.  And I'm not really sure how he gets out of that position.

Maybe it's telling Mike Priest and Scott Howson to push the team closer to the salary cap in pursuit of a strong Cup run ("Guys, go get Kovalchuk!").  Maybe it's taking a leadership position in the community beyond "My family and I can't afford this arena deal."  Maybe it's parachuting out of the IGS blimp or suiting up with the mite hockey players at intermission.  I don't know, but my comfort zone just is not there.  And that presents a problem when I assess the state of the franchise.

Until I get that sense of comfort, I'm going to be on pins and needles about the fate of the Blue Jackets -- and their place in Columbus.

Sorry, Mr. McConnell.  I can't blame you if you don't like my take but hope you appreciate my honesty.