BLUE JACKETS SURPASS EDMONTON AND WINNIPEG IN REBUILDING

As much as I haven't really played close attention to the National Hockey League this year, I have to admit it's fun looking at the different philosophies of various organizations and I think the real losers here, yet again, are the fans.

The fans have supported the Winnipeg Jets 100% since the relocation from Atlanta, and all the Jets have done to show they are serious about contending is add Mike Santorelli off waivers from Florida.  Personally, I've never heard of Santorelli but I am thinking if he was on waivers, he's not much of an impact guy at the NHL level.  The Jets are in 3rd, but could end up 10th because of the division they are in.  I say make a move or two get yourselves relevant and assure an extra home date in the first round of the playoffs and see what happens after that.  The reality is NO trade guarantees you a Stanley Cup.  Instead, the Jets know the rink will be full night after night and spending a few extra million in order to put a better product on the ice isn't worth it.  Think about it.  Would you spend more money on an expense if you didn't have to?

There are teams like Edmonton who preach patience to their fans.  The extent of the patience is ridiculous.  This micro-managed team isn't going anywhere based on how they've spent the last twenty-five or so years rebuilding.  They've done nothing to indicate they are serious about winning other than to make the easy, no brainer, first overall draft selection for the last four or five years.  Again, the rink is full.  So the urgency to be a contender doesn't exist even though, you as a fan, think that it does.

Now, you will say it doesn't make sense for Edmonton to trade a young player or two in order to get better RIGHT NOW.  Well, the Columbus Blue Jackets did that today after being the laughingstock of hockey a year ago.  And, that was WITH Rick Nash on their team.  Too bad Nash didn't stick around because Columbus has a chance to be better than Nash's new team (NYRangers) before the curtain closes on this year.  The Jackets may miss the playoffs and the Marian Gaborik acquisition may not work after all, but what they have done is they have signalled to their fans that they are going to TRY and get themselves into a situation where they can compete with the better teams in the National Hockey League.

Then you have teams like Detroit, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Boston, Anaheim, San Jose, and Vancouver that don't ever seem to be rebuilding.  I wonder why that is?  To me, if you don't have a fan base that threatens to stay home in the event of your franchise being uncompetitive then you are doomed.  The fans have the hammer.  If you want your team to be good, then keep your $$$ in your pocket and go watch a movie or something until they decide to get serious.