Cannon Blasts - October 16, 2014

Game 4 is tomorrow against the Calgary Flames (7:00 Eastern).  Yes, it's the same Flames team that just beat Chicago 2-1 in OT on the back of Hiller's 49-save effort.  Time for some Cannon Blasts:

• Bob McKenzie was on NHL Live (on NBCSN) last night and painted a pretty grim picture for the injured Nathan Horton.  It's feared he has an L5-S1 herniated disc.  The "rest and rehab" treatment has gotten Horton nowhere closer to being on the ice since the beginning of camp.  A second option is microsurgery that would put him out three months.  Lastly, he could undergo a spinal fusion that would essentially end his athletic career.  He is still declining all media requests for comments/interviews.  You have to wonder how much longer the "strengthen his core" regimen is going to go on before they start exploring surgery options.  Yikes.
• The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority bought Nationwide Arena in 2012 to help alleviate the team's finances (you remember, right?).  Well, WOSU is reporting that they have not made a single loan payment - loan payments that were supposed to be financed by casino tax revenue.  Revenues have been less than the projections.  So is anybody paying anything for the Arena? I'm confused.
• Free agent pickup Brian Gibbons cleared waivers and was assigned to Springfield.
• Jeff Rimer sat down with Ryan Johansen for a one-on-one interview.
• CBJProspects (The Union Blue) gives you a breakdown of the Jackets' European Prospects and their current seasons.
• Rob Mixer looks at possession stats / Corsi through the first three games.
• The Coach (The Union Blue) takes you through every CBJ goal (scored and given up) so far this season.
• Oh, poor Steve Mason...lost again.  Umby has no points and a -5 rating in their four games.  The Flyers (with former Jackets Jakub Voracek and Nick Schultz as well) will try for their first win Saturday in Dallas.  Let's Go Stars!