Zachary Werenski just delivered 81 points for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the franchise still can't crack the top half of the NHL's revenue list.
A financial snapshot of the NHL, built on Forbes revenue estimates, made the rounds online this week.
The Blue Jackets sat dead last in the league with $161 million in estimated revenue and $19 million in operating income.
Compare that to the Edmonton Oilers, who topped the chart at $431 million in revenue and $244 million in operating income.
It is the corner store parked next to the regional chain. Same business. Wildly different bank account.
So how does a small-market franchise keep pace with teams pulling in nearly triple the cash?
The roster on the ice does not look like a bottom-feeder. Columbus finished 40-30-12 for 92 points, good for 18th overall.
Don Waddell's front office plays a different budget game
Zachary Werenski anchored the blue line with an 81-point season, and his $9,583,333 cap hit is now one of the heaviest numbers on the books.
GM Don Waddell has to build around margins some front offices never have to think about.
Head coach Rick Bowness got 2-7-1 out of his group over the final ten games, a fade that ended the year on a sour note.
The season closed with a 1-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on April 14th, the kind of finish that lingers into an offseason.
Kirill Marchenko chipped in 67 points of his own. Talent was never the issue here. Resources were.
Running the league's tightest operating margin while still chasing real playoff hockey is not a position ownership should let slide for long.
Don Waddell heads into another offseason trying to keep this core together on a shoestring, and nobody around the league expects that gap in revenue to close anytime soon.
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There are rumors about the possible relocation of this franchise, and this new detail certainly won't put out the fire.
Should the NHL step in to help low-revenue teams like the Blue Jackets compete financially?
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