Could Next Year Be Close in Columbus?

Browns Fan: After their sixth consecutive season at or near the bottom of the standings, the Jackets hired a new GM in 2007, to go with their fourth (fifth if you count the interim coach in 2006) coach since 2000. The new GM inherited a team in disarray, devoid of talent. Sound familiar? Cavs Fan: The Jackets only have one bona-fide star in left-winger Rick Nash, and are currently trying to build a team around him to loosen up a stagnant offense and thus entice him to sign a contract extension in the summer of 2010, even as writers rush to push him out the door to hockey haven Toronto. Sound familiar? Tribe Fan: The Jackets are small-market free-agent also-rans, and they have been waiting for years for the young talent in their farm organization to make the jump to the NHL and to contribute to a winning team. Sound familiar? Buckeye Fan: Err, well, they play their home games in Columbus. I guess 3 out of 4 ain't bad? The bottom line: the Blue Jackets are in fact the only tea...