According to reports credited to TSN Insider Bob McKenzie, the 2013 All Star Game appears to be heading for Columbus.

If true, it is a bittersweet honor, given the way this season has gone. But perhaps the best way to see this is as a recognition of the dedicated and growing fanbase here in Columbus who have truly embraced NHL hockey over the past decade.

With expanded hotel options in the downtown area slated to be completed this summer and the arena issue resolved, it appears that the logistical stumbling blocks that previously kept the Jackets from hosting major events after the 2007 NHL draft have been cleared up, and perhaps this will help to engage a city that has split between writing off the team or reaching a boiling point of frustration in their search for a winner.

This would also mark the first time that a Western Conference team hosted the game since 2007 in Dallas, with the last four games held in Eastern Conference cities.

That said, don't pull on your party hats just yet - the NHL has not officially confirmed anything yet, and the host announcements sometimes come as late in the season as April.

We talked to the Greater Columbus Sports Commission earlier this season about their work to bring the ASG (and other major hockey events) to town - go check out the interview to help get an idea of what may be involved behind the scenes, then watch the events in Ottawa this weekend and dare, perhaps, to dream...

File another one under "Good, but what took you so long?"

Not two minutes after finishing my Shrapnel post, I got an email beep. "Message from Blue Jackets Majority Owner John P. McConnell."

Pro-tip, sir: While I think writing to the fanbase is an excellent move, I'd time the letter to go out before the Dispatch interview hits. I'd also feel a lot better if this had come out before the firestorm, but at least you got it to the fanbase before the 2012-2013 renewal letters went out.

Since not everyone on the blog is a STH, here is the letter as sent by the team's majority owner. Let's see what he has to say.

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Thank you, Mr. Mac.

As protest threats and media snarl threaten to consume the attention of the fanbase, the Blue Jackets majority owner has finally spoken out.

Too long in coming? Perhaps, but it is at least a start, and a sign that the majority owner is not deaf to the talk in the air. As fans, are you happy to hear that McConnell seems to be getting more and more comfortable with a nuclear option?

Are we satisfied with indications that JPM envisions a totally different team by the trade deadline, much less free agency?

From where I sit, I certainly like the sound of what is being promised, even if I'm still hoping to see the team address their lack of hockey knowledge around Scott Howson and Mike Priest, but it's still just words on a page, and I'm not happy about the fact that it took Rome being lit aflame before the Emperor admitted that he's aware of a problem.

Translate word to deed, and let's see what we get.

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I have a mixed blessing in my new job: I don't get "personal" internet access.Though that means I have to check news on my phone, which kinda sucks, it also forces me to wait until I get home to have the luxury of writing, no matter what's going on. It lets me collect my thoughts, and make sure I know what I want to say.

On days like today, that's a very good thing.

Things started when Aaron Portzline dropped a bombshell courtesy of Puck-Rakers, declaring that this is the lowest point in franchise history.

The details are things that most of the fanbase already know, or at least are willing to debate. I find it rather...interesting...that Scott Arniel has gone from the Dispatch's primary target to a coach that was buried by the problems Scott Howson and Mike Priest created, but I certainly wouldn't argue that the team's lack of fire this season.

I'm equally skeptical on how the loss of Don Boyd and Bob Strumm was crippling to the franchise. Were they good hockey minds? No doubt. Don Boyd in particular is a very smart, very experienced man. But they're also the same men who helped to build this crooked house, and who signed off on more than a few pallets of rotten wood during their time in Columbus.

I find it amazing how the same man who openly agitated for the dismissal of Ken Hitchcock in his recaps, chats, and columns is now heartbroken that the wise hall of famer is now coaching in another city.

If there is a mistake to point out in the loss of these men, it is the fact that the team was far too slow to replace their knowledge, and to bring fresh perspectives into the organization. Craig Patrick certainly is a good addition, but this team also allowed an entire offseason to pass without making moves, allowing teams to snap up several possible transplants to the brain trust. Rick Dudley, for example, is now one of four former GMs working for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Think he could have helped the franchise? I sure do.

Was Scott Howson afraid of hiring his potential replacement? If so, I imagine it's a bittersweet day as he looks at the prevailing winds.

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You couldn't pick a more different set of roads to the NHL than the ones taken by R.J. Umberger and Derek Dorsett.

One was a highly touted NCAA prospect and product of the US National Team program who was taken as a first round draft pick.

The other scrapped his way to a spot on a Memorial Cup contender, but wouldn't find himself called at the NHL draft until almost the final pick of the 7th round.

While both spent a season in the AHL, one was a leader who took his team all the way to the Calder Cup, while the other was a role player on a good team that would be knocked out of the playoffs in a hard fought conference final series.

One was looked two for a "hard fought" goal and "gutsy" responsibilities at the front of the net. The other was seen primarily as an agitator and scrapper for whom "hard fought" was a quite literal statement almost every game.

Both, however, were seen as good checking line players, both were seen as excellent PKers, and each brought a high degree of "blue collar" effort. Both became fan favorites quickly in their debut cities, and both have been seen as players with strong leadership abilities.

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The Falcons ended their recent four game skid with a convincing 4-2 victory over the Worcester Sharks on Wednesday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.

The game was noteworthy in that the Falcons goaltending situation had taken quite a twist the day before, with both Manny Legace and Mark Dekanich falling victim to injury. Starting in net for the Falcons was Paul Dainton, whose last action for the Falcons was on October 13th. Dainton had been on loan to the Reading Royals of the ECHL. Behind Dainton was Allen York, called up from Chicago of the ECHL.

In the opening period, Dainton was guilty of a miscue when he was handling the puck behind the net. In an instant, it was on the stick of Mike Connolly who buried the biscuit while Paul tried to get back in position. It was a power play goal and given the Falcons misfortunes over the past 10 days, Falcons fans had to groan at yet another opponent netting the first goal of the game.

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Stacking the Jackets' last two back to back games, even in review, is a pretty thick crap sandwich. In two games, I think the Jackets perhaps scraped together 40 minutes of respectable NHL hockey, and I'm not even completely certain about that.

The numbers, as you'd expect, are not pretty.

Best E/S Forward vs NSH: Jared Boll / Tomas Kubalik (+1)

Worst E/S Forward vs. NSH: Samuel Pahlsson (-3)

Best E/S D-man vs NSH: Marc Methot / John Moore (-1)

Worst E/S D-man vs. NSH: Remaining D corps (-2)

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Best E/S Forward vs TBL: Derek Dorsett / Derick Brassard (+4)

Worst E/S Forward vs. TBL: Rick Nash / Antoine Vermette (-1)

Best E/S D-man vs TBL: Brett Lebda / Fedor Tyutin (+3)

Worst E/S D-man vs. TBL: John Moore / Aaron Johnson (+1)

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