Blue Jackets brass feeling the heat Things are getting uglier in Columbus, where the Blue Jackets are 13-30-6 and 23 points out of a playoff spot and nine points behind 29th in the NHL.

On Saturday, fans held a protest in front of Nationwide Arena demanding the firings of President Mike Priest and General Manager Scott Howson.

"Whoever shows up on a cold, cold day and gives up a Saturday to send a message of discontent, that they want a winner -- in some ways, I suppose we're lucky to have fans that dedicated," owner John P. McConnell said.

Word out of Columbus is less than a year after trading for Jeff Carter from Philadelphia, the unhappy center is on the trading block.

Oilers coach isn't worrying With the Oilers sinking, there's lots of talk in Edmonton that Tom Renney's job is on the line. He is in the last year of his deal.

"I'll just keep going until somebody says, 'Hand in your keys,'" Renney said. "I'm not worried. I can't be. I know what I'm all about. I have more knowledge about our situation than anybody in this [press conference] room, and I'm completely comfortable knowing that."

Faulk getting noticed South St. Paul's Justin Faulk hasn't gotten a lot of Calder Trophy buzz, but maybe being invited to Ottawa to take part in the skills competition as a rookie will create a little hype. The Minnesota Duluth national champion leads rookie defensemen in ice time (22:28) and is tied for first in goals (four) and sixth in points (11).