Todd Cordell: Blue Jackets Sign Local Prospect Kole Sherwood

It's a good signing even if the kid does not pan out in the long run. Since the CBJ came into Columbus amateur hockey has exploded, even though it is a very expensive sport to play by the time you purchase equipment.

There are now several players in pro hockey who grew up in Columbus, including a D-man for Phoenix, and that fact is great for the area. Now if the CBJ can make inroads in Cleveland, long the hockey hotbed of Ohio, the franchise will be much stronger in the future.

You notice what Jarmo has done the past few weeks?

He is getting fairly local kids. First 2 picks in the draft from Michigan. He gets Sadd who is from Pittsburgh. Now this kid.

I think Jarmo knows it's tough to bring free agents to Columbus. And it's even harder to trade for talent and then have them re-sign and keep them long term in Columbus. (See Gaborik not wanting to re-sign after Jarmo traded for him)

Now Jarmo is pooling the top players from the surrounding states of Ohio. So there is more of a chance they re-sign with Columbus (like Sadd).

Smart move by Jarmo.

You guys should send Johansen down to the AHL so you can save cap room