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Last Year's Rank: 52
Title Track: 73
Ownership: 31
Coaching: 9
Players: 51
Fan Relations: 9
Affordability: 29
Stadium Experience: 9
Bang for the Buck: 64

Gone but not forgotten is late (1923-2008) owner John H. McConnell. Inside the popular Nationwide Arena's Front Street entrance and before you reach the 12-foot, 1,600-pound working cannon -- it goes off every time the home team scores -- is a memorial honoring the man who brought pro hockey to Ohio's capital in 2000. Among the tributes? The first Jackets jersey (McConnell 01) and a photo of the founding father from his football days at Michigan State. Sure, Columbus is Buckeyes country, but the Spartans pic gets love because McConnell is wearing No. 61, just like four-time All-Star Rick Nash, the face of the franchise. That face is morphing though, thanks to magicianlike young goalie Steve Mason (the ROY winner with a league-leading 10 shutouts), center R.J. Umberger (the team's first Ohio Stater skater) and D-man Mike Commodore. Not included, unfortunately, is a group shot of fans wearing Sideshow Bob-style red Afro wigs in tribute to Commodore's unruly mop. Add it up, mixing in bulletproof bench boss Ken Hitchcock, who's a Civil War geek to boot, and it's easy to see why the Blue Jackets not only made their first playoff appearance but also have their highest rank since the Standings started. That ought to help JHM RIP.