The CBJ Writer

Well, if you thought we had to wait another week for something interesting to happen with a Columbus Draft pick, you would be wrong!  Mathiieu Olivier at least only has to move from Nashville to Columbus, so there are further distances for sure.  Further, the team has gained a major piece of Mississippi, because Olivier is the first player in the National Hockey League to hail from the state.  How's that for cool, 5th Line.  Isn't it amazing how some states are seeing professional hockey players come from their state still? I think so.   The transaction to get Olivier was for the Nashville Predators to gain a Draft Pick next Thursday.  So no need to worry 5th Line, this wasn't a player-for-player deal.  Olivier is a Right Wing and will no doubt be a great addition to the Columbus team, well worth our 4th Round Pick.  He's 25-years-old and had 14 penalty minutes this past 2021-22 NHL Season.  In 10 games he had just 1 assist.  If I can be honest though, I have a firm bel

Tonight's Game 6 in Tampa would start off with a Lightning Spark, a goal from Captain Stamkos at 3:48, which would give them a 1-0 lead going into Period 2.  However, the Colorado Avalanche would bounce back strong, scoring by way of MacKinnon at just 1:42, then Lehkonen at 12:28.  This would give the Avalanche a 2-1 lead which they would defend the entire third period.  With no goals scored in the final 20 minutes, the Avalanche would hold on to claim the 2022 Stanley Cup!   It's all over in 6 Games and although it would've been cool to see the Lightning win a third cup in a row, I can't deny how fun it is to report a new Stanley Cup Champion.  I started writing in May of 2020, right as the Canadian Bubble Stanley Cup Championship got underway.  So that year and the next would belong to the Tampa Bay Lightning.  However, 2022 belongs to the new Stanley Cup Champions, the Colorado Avalanche.  Congratulations to them on winning their first cup since 2001! As for the Ligh

Tonight was the game to watch of these Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final 2022.  It could all be over if Colorado won tonight, marking their 4th in this series and stealing the cup from the two time defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.  A win for the Lightning however would force the series back to their home ice in Tampa, all for a Game 6 showdown.  You could cut the tension and excitement with a dull hockey skate, so lets recap the pivotal Game 5 from tonight, in Colorado.     Period 1 would see just one goal.  It would come at 15:23 and be in favor of the visiting Tampa Bay Lighting.  The goal would come curtesy of J. Rutta.  After 20 minutes of hockey we'd have a 1-0 Lightning lead.   Period 2 would see the Avalanche and Lightning trade goals.  The first would come from the home team, Colorado Avalanche, at 5:07.  The goal would be credited to a familiar name, V. Nichushkin.  We'd have a 1-1 tied game until 8:10, when a Powerplay would yield a Lightning goal from N. Ku

Tonight's Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final 2022 would remind you of Game 1 between these two teams.  It was highly competitive between the visiting Colorado Avalanche and thee home team, Tampa Bay Lightning.  The Lightning would strike first in Period 1, with a goal from Cirelli at just 0:36 into the game.  This would be the only goal of this Period 1 though.   Period 2 would see the teams trade goals.  The first goal would come from the Avalanche, tying the game a 1-1.  This goal would come from MacKinno at 5:17.  At 10:42 the Lightning would come back with another goal of their own.  This one from Hedman.  After 2 periods of hockey we'd have a close, 2-1 Lightning lead.   Period 3, like Period 1, would be held to just 1 goal.  This goal would be delivered by Cogliano at just 2:53 into the final regulation period.  This would again tie the game, this time at 2-2.  The score would hold through the remaining 17:07, forcing Overtime, just like in Game 1 of this Stanley Cup Final 2

A formal press release by the Columbus Blue Jackets offered an important detail this week, one beyond the fact there will be a Draft Night 2022 Party after all.  The post which you can view here (https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-to-host-2022-nhl-draft-party-at-pins-mechanical-co-on-july-7/c-334677914) states that 3 Blue Jackets will be on sight at the Draft Night Party for Meet-and-Greet/autographs.  Why does this matter?  One of the three players listed was given an Entry Level Contract at the end of last season, but has yet to be signed back for the upcoming 2022-23 NHL Season.  The player in question?  Defenseman and former Michigan Captain, Nick Blankenburg.   In just 7 games the Defenseman had 1 goal and 2 assists, for a total of 3 points, in a Blue Jacket jersey.  He also had 4 penalty minutes.  He showed he could hold his own, without issue, from the start.  This is something I personally believed from the moment he was signed, wouldn't be a problem.  You don't g

Tonight was a challenge for the Lightning, they had to turn up the talent and take Game 3 or this Stanley Cup Final would still not yet be a series.  Period 1 the Avalanche would score first, but it would be rulled as Off-Sides by Toronto after a Lightning challenge.  At 8:19 the Avalanche would score again however, which would stay on the board.  This goal would come from Landeskog.  The Lightning would even the score with a goal from Cirelli at 13:03.  This would be followed up with another Lightning goal at 14:54, by Palat.  Exiting Period 2 the Lightning would achieve something they had yet to in this Playoffs Final, have a score lead.  2-1 after 20.   Period 2 would start off with a Lightning bang, with a goal from Paul at just 1:26.  3-1 Lightning.  The Avalanche would come back with a goal of their own, from Landeskog again, this one coming at 4:43.  3-2 Lightning lead.  After this the the Lightning, or Bolts if you're a seasoned Tampa fan, would spark and never look back. 

It was a huge night for the Colorado Avalanche on their home ice.  At 2:54 Nichushkin would open the scoring for the home team.  Then Manson would add another goal at 7:55, making it 2-0 Avalanche.  One more goal from Burakovsky at 13:52 would be the final goal of Period 1, resulting in a 3-0 lead for the Avalanche.  Period 2 would add on an additional 2 goals for the home team Avalanche.  The first would come from Nichushkin at 4:51.  The second would come from Helm at 16:26.  5-0 Avalanche after Period 2 and 40 minutes of hockey.   The Tampa Bay Lightning would elect to keep Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net for the final 20 minutes tonight/  Given he's been a key to them winning the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup I can understand why, however with them going 7 Games in the Conference Final against a strong New York Rangers team it's obvious he could use a break.  The unfortunate thing is that they can't afford to not have him in net against an even strong Colorado Aval

Yes folks, yesterday Liam Foudy today Brandon Gaunce!  The 28-year-old Center had 5 goals and 2 assists, for 7 points this 2021-22 NHL Season.  This was over 30 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets.   Via Aaron Portzline on Twitter (6/18/22), the new contract for the Forward breaks down like this.   " #CBJ have signed F Brendan Gaunce to a two-year, two-way contract. He was a pending UFA. Gaunce, 28, played 30 games in Columbus this season. He’ll make $750,00 (NHL) / $450,000 (AHL) next season and $775,000 (NHL) / $450,000 (AHL) in 2023-24. Guaranteed $475k each year." A huge congratulations to Gaunce. He had a good season last year, but truly shinned toward the end. I can't wait to see what he brings to the ice this next season as both a Monster and a potential Blue Jacket, again. Go CBJ!

With John Tortorella being signed on as the new Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach, this good news almost flew under the radar.  Thank you NBC4 for mentioning this in you Sports Report at 11PM!  We've been waiting and watching to see if some familiar faces would be signed back, and even with this news that Liam Foudy (a fan favorite) will return, there are still plenty more names to look out for.  However, this post is Liam Foudy's alone.     It's really great to see Foudy come back after a 2021-22 AHL Season with his fair share of injuries.  We'll see him return with the Monsters in 2022-23, with an option to move to the NHL Blue Jackets if injuries occur.  The best news that in his 2023-23 Season which he also signed on for, he will be a solid NHL Player only, according to NBC4.  It will be great to see another player who was drafted by the franchise in 2018, move up in the ranks.  A big congratulations to him, I for one can't wait to see him back on the ice soon.   G

Ah it's time for the best hockey of the season...Stanley Cup Final hockey is on!  Representing the West are the Colorado Avalanche, while representing the East is the two-time reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning.  Game 1 of the Finals wouldn't disappoint, so lets recap hockey fans.     At 7:47 the Avalanche would open the goal scoring of the Stanley Cup Final 2022.  On their home ice Landeskog would score, making it 1-0 Avalanche.  This would be followed by another Avalanche goal at 9:23, this time by way of Nichushkin.  Don't count out the Lightning though, Paul would come through and put them on the board at 12:26.  This would give the Avalanche a 1 goal lead...until Lehkonen would score at 17:31, giving his Avalanche team their 2 goal lead back just in time for the period to end.  3-1 after 20 minutes of hockey.   In Period 2 we'd see the revenge of the Lightning.  First Palat would have a goal at 12:51, then Sergachev would have another at 13:39.  This would tie t

Sorry all, I'm in the group of people which have lost power now twice.  This news broke during the second time.  Now to the good news today!  Danill Tarasov, come on down, you're the next player signed this off season to the Columbus Blue Jackets!  This is the second main Goaltender signed back to the team, following Joonas Korpisalo, who was signed back in May.  The main difference is the time signed back, Korpisalo got 1 year for $1 Million, whereas Tarasov has a solid 3 year contract, which he'll be paid a nice 3.15 Million.   The young Tarasov showed some incredible promise this season.  He only started 4 games total, the 2 he finished we losses for the Blue Jackets.  If not for season-ending hip surgery in December 2021, he might have played more.  You must look beyond those numbers though to see the true promise this young 23-year-old goaltender has.  In his time on the ice his Goals Against Average was an impressive 2.40%, while his Save Percentage was a top notch .9

This game had to be the most impressive of the 2022 Eastern Conference Final Series.  Period 1 would see some great chances at goals, but expert goaltending would keep the score at a stone cold 0-0.  It would take a near 10 more minutes into Period 2 for a goal to happen.  It would come at 10:43 by way of Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The score 1-0 in their favor for the remainder of the period.  Just 1 goal was needed to tie this game and at 13:07 the Rangers would find it by way of Vatrano.  The 1-1 tie wasn't to last though, at Stamkos would again score for the Lighting just seconds later, at 13:28.  2-1 Lightning and that would be your final.  With this win tonight the Tampa Bay Lightning take the series in 6 Games, winning 4 Games to 2 Games against a powerful and skilled Rangers team.  This will allow them to capture their 3rd Eastern Conference Title in a row and go to their 3rd straight Stanley Cup Final, where they will attempt to make history as the first team to

The first Period of this Game 5, Eastern Conference Final, was something to behold.  There were attempts from both Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers to score, but the opposing team and its goaltender said "no way".  0-0 after 20 minutes of hockey.   Period 2 we'd see the two teams trade goals.  First would come from the home team, New York Rangers, by way of Lindgren at 10:29.  Afterwards, the Tampa Bay Lightning would respond quickly.  From Sergachev, the goal would come at 17:34, knotting the game at 1-1 after 40.   Just as with Period 1, Period 3 would be full of amazing chances, as well as a few missing players.  Even without Ryan McDonagh off the ice and in the dressing room for an injury, the Rangers continued to fight for that lead goal.  The Lighting of course wouldn't give them an inch, fighting for their own leading goal.  As I said, this has been a great series and this game, like many others, didn't disappoint.   With less that 2 minutes remaini

Period 1 would see just 1 goal.  It would come from the hometown Lightning, by way of Maroon, just 2:38 into Game 4.  Period 2 would see just 1 goal.  This one would come from the Lighting, by way of Kucherov, at 13:07.  Going into Period 3 the game would be 2-0, in favor of the Lightning.  They would score a 3rd goal, by way of Stamkos, at 4:56 into the final period.  It looked to be a shutout on the way for the Rangers team and fans alike.  However, former Blue Jacket Artemi Panarin would prevent that, with a goal at 16:27.  3-1 Lightning with just over 3 minutes to go in regulation time.   After an Empty Net Goal from Palat at 19:51, this game was over.  The home team Tampa Bay Lightning take Game 4 in the Eastern Conference Final.  The final was 4-1.  With this game win, the series is now tied at 2 games each.  We'll see at least 6 games in this series now, which will no doubt continue to build on skill and excitement.  Game 5 will be back in New York, on Rangers home ice.  We&

This is what I get for enjoying a late night of catching up on TV, after the Western Conference series ended!  We finally got another signing from within the franchise!  Did I expect it to be Joonas Korpisalo and then Jack Roslovic signed first from the pool of men whose contracts were due, no.  Am I happy they are both returning?  100%!  Today's post is centered around Roslovic (Rosie) returning for both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 NHL seasons.  For doing so he'll bank a cool $8 Million.  So how does the Ohio native feel about returning to Columbus Blue Jackets for the next 2 seasons of his NHL Career?   Via Jeff Svoboda:  " Jack Roslovic: "I think I’m getting into the prime of my playing career and obviously I want to keep on growing. It’s definitely not going to stop here. It’s definitely encouraging, and it’s a great feeling to have knowing that I haven’t reached any sort of peak yet." #CBJ " Continued on in another Tweet, also via Jeff Svobodad: Jack Roslo

Based off the first goal tonight coming from the Avalanche at just 3:46 into Period 1, from Maker, I for one believed that this would turn into an easy sweep for the Colorado Avalanche.  The team was up 3 games to 0 against the Oilers going into Game 4 tonight.  This feeling became all the more strong when Period 1 ended with that being the only goal scored tonight so far.  However, don't be so fast to bet against thee Oilers, they had a surprise coming for us all in Period 2.   At 7:39 the Oilers would get on the board with a goal from Hyman.  Then at 16:57 Nugent-Hopkins would score, giving the Oilers their first lead of the night.  The Oilers would then expand on this lead with a goal from McDavid at 18:54.  The momentum shift in Period 2 would result in the Oilers having a 3-1 lead over the Avalanche, heading into Period 3.     The Avalanche would come back into this game with a quick goal in Period 3 however.  At just 0:31 into the final period of regulation play, Toews would

Zibanejad would open the scoring in Tampa Bay for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.  His goal would come at 7:37 and put the Rangers up 1-0.  Our Former Blue Jacket Artemi Panarin would have the second assist on this goal.  The next goal would also come from the Rangers, by way of Kreider at 9:44 into Period 1.  Again, another second assist credit to Panarin. (aka bread man)!  Before time would run out in the opening period however, the Lighting would get on the board.  Wight a goal from kucherov at 10:50, the Lightning would cut the goal deficit in half.   The score would be a 2-1 Rangers lead after 20 minutes of hockey.   Period 2 would have no goals at all.  Great Offense and Defense in this period, and the Goaltending greatness would continue.   Period 3, the Lightning would spark for the first time in this series, making it a series.  With a goal from Stamkos at 1:22 and a goal from Palat at 19:18, the Lighting would fight back to capture Game 3.  This makes it a series now

It would be another great competition between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.  In Period 1 we'd see the teams trade goals.  Up first was McDavid for the Oilers at just 0:38.  Then, the Avalanche would answer at 16:12 by way of Nichushin.  So, after 20 minutes of hockey, a 1-1 tie.   Period 2 would only yield 1 goal. It would come at 4:37, from the Avalanche and give Nichushin his second goal in a row, tonight.  2-1 Avalanche after 40 minutes of hockey.   Period 3 would see a bit more action score wise.  First, the Oilers would even the score at 2-2 again, with a goal from McLeod at 7:34.  The tie was short lived though, as the Avalanche would answer at 12:42.  With that goal from Compher, the Avalanche would again take the lead back, now 3-2.  The Oilers would get a late Powerplay, but it wouldn't be enough.  An Empty Net Goal would seal the Avalanche deal at 18:25, by way of Rantanen.   The Avalanche would pull out a win i

The Tampa Bay Lightning started tonight's Game 2 in Madison Square Garden off on the right skate.  With a goal from Kucherov at 2:41, the Lightning would take an early 1-0 lead.  However, the Rangers would strike back.  At 5:59 they'd tie the game at 1-1 with a goal from Miller.  Them, at 17:32, Kakko would add another, making it a 2-1 Rangers lead before the first period would end.   In Period 2 we'd see some great chances from both teams, especially former Blue Jacket Artemi Panarin, but no goals would happen in this period.  2-1 Rangers lead still would take us into Period 3.   The Rangers would tack on a third goal at 1:21 into Period 3, by way of Zibanejad.  It looked to be all over for the Lightning, as the Rangers would now lead 3-1.  However, a last minute goal at 17:58 would put the Lightning within reach of an Overtime.  This goal came from Paul, 3-2 Rangers lead still.  The Lightning would then pull Andrei Vasilevskiy, making Igor Shesterkin work for that win, an

In Period 1 Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals Game 2 would remain scoreless.  The Edmonton Oilers would have some great opportunities, while the Colorado Avalanche would have several Powerplay chances, 3 to be exact, but none would result in a score.   Period 2 we'd see a change in momentum.  The Avalanche would find a goal, from Lehkonen at 3:58.  That spark would change this game in their favor.  Just 15 seconds later at 4:13, Manson would score for the Avalanche again.  Then, at 6:02, Rananen would score a third goal in this period for the Avalanche.  This period started at 0-0, but ended with a 3-0 home ice lead for the Avalanche.   At 15:20 into Period 3, MacKinnon would add another to the Avalanche total, making it 4-0.  This period was mostly run by the Avalanche too, giving the Oilers barely any chance at a comeback.  They played their game and did so well, with a winning and shutout outcome.   The good news for the Edmonton Oilers is that Games 3 and 4 will be in the

At least for now, via Aaron Portzline, we won't see Samuel Johannesson in the Defender position or Marcus Karlberg in the Forward position, joining the Columbus Blue Jackets in a team jersey.  Could they return from a trade later on, sure.  For now though the franchise has let the rights to each player go.  In 2020 the team gained the rights to Johannesson when they picked him in the NHL Draft, taking him in Round 6 at number 176.  Karlberg was taken higher and sooner in his draft, back in 2018.   He was chose in Round 3 at number 80.   I wish them luck, wherever they may go.  However, I must agree with many of my readers, I'm surprised that we're signing new players, but letting these two men go, while also not signing players we have whoes contracts are up.  As far as current players go, we've only re-signed Joonas Korpisalo to a 1 year deal.  I'm thrilled we won't lose him, but with each day we don't hear anything about Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic, Adam B

For the sake of our former Blue Jacket, Artemi Panarin, I hoped this wouldn't be too rough on the New York Rangers.  I told everyone to "have faith in the Rangers", but even I couldn't have predicted tonight!   Period 1 Goal 1 at 1:11 by Rangers from Krider Goal 2 at 7:18 by Lightning from Stamkos After 1 period of hockey the Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 was tied at 1 goal each.  For most of this period the competition was clear between both teams.  Each fought for their goals and opportunities to score.  This would continue, but to a greater extent, in Period 2.   Period 2 Goal 3 at 7:50 by Rangers from Vatrano Goal 4 at 8:32 by Lightning from palat Goal 5 at 10:09 by Rangers from Chytil Goal 6 at 15:43 by Rangers from Chytil, again.   4-2 Rangers on top of Lightning after 40 minutes of hockey.  At this point the Rangers are clearly not backing down from the challenge of playing the two time defending Stanley Cup Champions.  If you think Period 3 would slow down

So, it's a busy day in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.  Dean Kukan has officially exited thee team, bitter sweetly, returning to Switzerland permanently.  On the flip side, the organization has also released news, via @JacketsInsider Jeff Svoboda, of a new signed player also.  A big Columbus Welcome to Joona Luoto!  During his 1-year deal inked recently, he's agreed to play between the Cleveland Monsters and the Columbus Blue Jackets, if needed.  Given all of the uncertainty with a few players in Cleveland, due to injury and contracts expiring, this seems like a smart move to me.  This is especially true when you look at his numbers.     During his 2019-20 NHL Season he didn't have a great showing.  he played several games but had no goals or assists in any of them.  Fast-forward a couple seasons to this previous one, where he showed off his newly 201 frame, and you have a powerhouse player.  He went from no points in 16 games two seasons ago, to having 8 goals and

The rumors have been confirmed today by Jeff Svoboda, the @JacketsInsider on Twitter.  It's a sorrowful goodbye and good luck, as Defenseman Dean Kukan leaves the Columbus Blue Jackets.  He will be staying home for the 2022-23 Season, playing with his home country of Switzerland.  He played great there in the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships 2022, and to me I think that made his choice a bit easier.  Add in the fact this is home for him and I'm not surprised, just happy I got some great pictures of him this season before he left.   In his 6 Seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dean Kukan appeared in 153 games.  He had 5 goals and 25 assists for a total point count of 30.     Source:   Jeff Svoboda Tweet on 6/1/22 " Dean Kukan is officially signed with ZSC Lions in Switzerland for next year, heading home after seven years in the #CBJ organization. Good luck, Kuks!"