Holy flashback batman! I've had that beauty hangin in my cube for a few years.

Of course the Jackets scrapped that logo 3 seasons ago (my how time flies) and as just about every Columbus media outlet reported yesterday, the ice with the current star/flag logo for the upcoming season was being prepared.

I (thankfully) flipped my CBJ calendar to the month of September this morning and it's none other than Rick Nash's mug on it for this month.  Despite my serious concerns about the Jackets ability to be a playoff team - I'm ready to drop the puck and watch this thing play out!

Speaking of Rick Nash -- saw a few comments on the Dispatch blog yesterday from some fans wondering why Rick Nash is not in town yet?  I then saw more comments saying why make a big deal out of nothing - he'll be here by the end of the week.

My take is the same as the folks asking why he isn't here yet. No, it isn't the end of the world but there are 20+ players in town already skating and preparing for the season.  After the disappointing year the Jackets and #61 had last season - our leader and captain should be one of the first players here setting an example.

Again - it's time to take the kids gloves off and expect more from our 7 million dollar man.

Any players you are looking forward towards seeing the most at camp?  For me these are the guys I'm most interested in seeing - mostly young prospects:

Filatov - they say he's bigger... they say he's more focused.. we'll see.

Calvert - expectations have grown for this kid... very interested in seeing how close he is with that extra year of development under his belt.

Moore - can he match last year's training camp?

Brassard - is the swagger and confidence in his game back to what it was two years ago?

Voracek - is he prepared to up his game another level or two this season?

Wesslau - want to see what this guy is all about between the pipes.

Johanssen - didn't get to make it out to development camp so interested in seeing how far away he is.

Goloubef - his first NHL camp since he was ineligible under NCAA rules.  Another guy I'm interesting is seeing what his game is all about.

Russell - very interested to see how he is used by the new coaching staff.  If Howson doesn't make a move Russell will be the key to activating more O from the D.

Was excited to read that huge changes are coming for the NHL Network from Puck Daddy.

I've just recently become a subscriber to the NFL Network and let me tell you - they are light years ahead of the NHL's version.

It was good to read that the NHL recruited some talent from the NFL Network which shouts from the clouds that they recognize the need to improve and are taking steps to get there.

Now don't get me wrong - I love me some NHL On The Fly but NFL Total Access it isn't.  Their original content and set productions also are way above the NHL's bar.

Maybe it's just me but I can't remember the last time I flipped on Sportscenter.  It's either the NHL Network or NFL Network for me.  It's hockey first and foremost with football a distant #2 for this fan.  If for some reason I want a total sports highlight show I'll pop on Fox Sports The Final Score.

For fans of other sports you have the MLB and NBA Networks as options and of course the BIG 10 Network as well as others are there for college coverage.

No longer do we as fans have to take was ESPN shoves down our throats.  These 24X7 networks allow us, the viewer, to decide on what sports coverage we want and when we want it.

These specialized networks are the present and the future. It's great to see the NHL taking steps to improve theirs.

Off the cuff here -- but the NFL hit a homerun with the "Hard Knocks" series on HBO. I'd love to see something similar done with NHL teams.  They may have to self produce it for the NHL Network as the NHL just doesn't thave that kind of national appeal but once again, they should try to follow the NFL's lead.

Real quite on the CBJ dman trade chatter. Read over on HF (via poster Pete Geogan) a proposal by an Edmonton blogger for a Souray-Commodore swap.  I've mentioned that deal a few times here in this space -- it would make sense for both squads.

Souray has the higher salary hit per year as he is owned 4.5 mil over the next two seasons however if you factor in the fact that Commodore is owed a total of 10.65 million over the next 3 and the Jackets actually come out a few bucks ahead on the deal overall.

Both players come with their share of issues.  Souray hasn't been able to stay healthy but brings a huge powerplay presence (and shot!!) that the Jackets could use.  Commodore was in about as good of shape as the dancing fat guy last year but when focused he can be an effective player as we saw two years ago.

Less we forget that Souray is an Oiler and we know how much Howson likes to wheel and deal with his former mates.

I said I'd pull the trigger then and still would today.

Got my 16 tickets for the home opener and am ready to rock.  Section 206 look out!

-LTL