Doug MacLean News

The Blue Jackets descended into a period of darkness on Jan. 7, 2003, the day Dave King was fired.

Doug MacLean is loud and proud, but the former NHL coach, general manager and president is also out of work.

Each Wednesday at noon during the NHL season and periodically during the offseason, Dispatch.com and BlueJacketsXtra.com readers can chat online with either Aaron Portzline or Tom Reed, The Dispatch's Blue Jackets beat writers.

It's Friday and that means we're chatting sports on messenger. Mike says: see the penguins at the white house ? Jason says: ya, some solid trash talk from president obama: "Can I just make one more point? Sidney must be really fast because there are some big hockey players -- and he's not one of them." Mike says: crosby: "HAHAHAHA...how's that ...

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, Written By: Mark "The Hard Hitter" Ritter NHL fans from coast to coast will be watching their Twitter accounts closely today in hopes of finally getting some closure and clarity regarding the auction for the Phoenix Coyotes franchise.

Each Wednesday at noon during the NHL season and periodically during the offseason, Dispatch.com and BlueJacketsXtra.com readers can chat online with either Aaron Portzline or Tom Reed, The Dispatch's Blue Jackets beat writers.

Roger Sportsnet panellist Doug MacLean. Balsillie, Bettman to take stand If Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie is successful in his bid to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes through bankruptcy court, it appears he is getting ready to hit the ice running.

Thirteen months ago, the Blue Jackets went after free agent Wade Redden, the most expensive defenseman on the market at the time.

Thirteen months ago, the Blue Jackets went after free agent Wade Redden, the most expensive defenseman on the market at the time.

Pascal Leclaire takes it all in stride. What, me worry? Not a chance. Not his style.

After almost a decade in the NHL , the Blue Jackets could be two days away from their first arbitration hearing.

This article, by Larry Wigge, appeared in the Jan. 14, 2002, issue of Sporting News: He's quiet and unassuming.

Star winger Marian Hossa wouldn't even negotiate a contract extension with the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2007-08 season, so he was traded to Pittsburgh.

After efforts by the Maple Leafs to land the Sedin Twins and Richmond Hill native Mike Cammalleri fell short earlier this week, there were hopes throughout the city that Brampton's Rick Nash might somehow be wooed to Toronto when he became eligible to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2010.

Bill Torrey is moving closer to a decision on choosing the Panthers' next general manager, several NHL sources have said this week.

The bidding for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester narrowed to a four-team fight. The Panthers ' search for a general manager continued to move at a slower pace, though, that too, is starting to come into focus, with Doug MacLean and Doug Risebrough emerging on a short list of candidates to succeed Jacques Martin .

The NHL has reached its annual nadir of activity. Below this still surface there is a roiling of rumor, innuendo and speculation.

Rick Nash could be the most sought after free agent ever if he doesn't re-sign with Columbus.

As the three men waited for their luggage at the airport carousel and quietly chatted, it wasn't hard to imagine that an obscure grand plan might be in the works.

The NHL will gather in Las Vegas on June 18 to hand out its annual awards. Making their way to the stage in the Palms Hotel that night will be the league's highest scorer, top goaltender, top defenseman, top defensive forward, top coach, top rookie, and -- lest we forget sweet Lady Byng -- the league's nicest guy.