The CBJ Writer

This game would start out very well for the Columbus Blue Jackets, as Yegor Chinakhov would score the opening goal of the game.  It would come at 3:50 into Period 1.  Primary assist would go to Billy Sweezy, while the secondary assist would go to Gavin Bayreuther.  This would be the only goal in this period, so after 20 the Blue Jackets would have a 1-0 lead.   The Blue Jackets Yegor Chinakhov would extend that score, just over halfway through Period 2.  His second goal would come at 11:07.  Primary assist on this goal would go to Gus Nyquist, while the secondary assist would go to Cole Clayton.  This would give the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead...but after goals from P. Buchnevich at 12:19, R. Bortuzzo at 12:47 and then a third goal from H. McGing at 18:40, the Blues would suddenly take the lead at 3-2.  In this quick resoonce by the Blues the Blue Jackets would have a goal, this time from Justin Danforth, but the Blues would challenge and win....

Thanks to eyes on the ice (Jeff Svoboda) I can pass on to you 5th Line that Cole Sillinger, number 34 himself, is back at practice.  He's very restricted, based on Jeff's cited Tweets below, but he is back with the team.  As many of you will remember, Cole Sillinger suffered an Upper Body Injury just as camp got underway, which resulted in him missing a chance at both the split presseason games against the Penguins and last night against the Sabres.  This is great news in my mind, because it means he could be available come October 12th (when the season begins) or on October 14th (the home opener).  Right now, both nights are up in the air still, regarding the starting lines (particularly what we all expect to be line 1).  We've seen Boone Jenner, Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson centering Patrik Laine and Johnny Gaudreau in practice.  However, who will get the honor to start this season is unsure, because any seem to work in the middle.  It's an incred...

It's a big night for one Columbus Blue Jacket in particular.  Daniil Tarasov would be injured in December 2021 and require hip surgery; tonight, would be his first preseason game back.in net and as starter.  The team before him would have some great scoring chances, but none would connect.  The bright spot early on in tonight's game, other than Daniil Tarasov's return, would be how long it took him to see a puck.  With the offensive line working to score and the defensive line working well also, Tarasov wouldn't make a save until 8:20 into Period 1.  How's that for an accomplishment?  Especially when you consider their opponents, the Buffalo Sabres, had a Powerplay during this time as well.  The Blue Jackets would kick the scoring off just a few seconds later, with Emil Bemstrom scoring at 8:47.  Stanislav Svozil would gain the primary assist, while the secondary assist would go to newly re-signed defenseman Andrew Peeke.  Wait a few more min...

This was a surprise I think, but a good one!  Andrew Peeke has only been a Blue Jacket and now will remain one for an additional 3 years/seasons.  Last season he was one of just a few Blue Jackets to complete the full 82 game season, which was still laced with both Covid-19 issues and injuries.  He had 2 goals and 13 assists, for a grand total of 15 points.  However, Andrew Peeke's crowning glory is his shot blocking abilities.  During his 2021-22 NHL Season with the franchise, he gained the second most ever in the then 22-years our NHL team's been established.  In the 2022-23 NHL Season, I look forward to telling you he achieved or exceeded that same career milestone.  No doubt, Andrew Peeke is a great NHL Defenseman, and now he's ours for at least another 3 years.  I can't wait to see what he does tonight in preseason and in just a couple weeks, where the team opens there 2022-23 NHL Season Campaign.   Congrats Andrew Peeke! Go CBJ!...

And now the tables turn, this morning we had Split Suad Game 1, tonight we have Split Squad Game 2!  With the score back to 0-0, the first puck of the 2022-23 NHL Preseason would drop inside Nationwide Arena.  What a sight as Johnny "Hockey" Gaudreau joins the ranks, Patrik Laine glides on the ice with a new contract, and many injured players prepare to rejoin the ranks or already have.  It was a big offseason, which leads us all to anticipate an even bigger preseason and season ahead.  If tonight is any indication of what's ahead, I think those expectations will be met and maybe even exceeded 5th Line! Period 1 would begin with Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins leading a brand new and eager Columbus Blue Jackets team onto the ice.  7:15 into the game the first goal would come, in favor of the Blue Jackets.  The goal would come from Justin Danforth, with a primary assist to Jake Christiansen and secondary assist to Jakub Voracek.  This would be the loan goal...

This was a fair and even fight for the puck and first preseason goal, in regard of both the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets and the hosting Pittsburgh Penguins.  This was proven by the full first period, which ended with 10 shots on goal for the Penguins and 8 for the Blue Jackets, but none the less remained a 0-0 game.  Period 2 would see more action.  Powerplay 1 would go to the Blue Jackets and right off the faceoff, Jack Roslovic would turn a reverse, then slide it smoothly to teammate James Neal who was right by the goal post.  From there it was easy for him to push it over the line, having no Penguin in sight to block him.  The goal would be scored at 3:25. The 1-0 lead wouldn't last long however, as John Lizotte would find the tie at 13:13.  It's important to note that Pavel Cajan started out in net, then roughly halfway through the game, both teams would swap out goalies.  Our team would pull Pavel Cajan and give Nolan Lalonde a chance to shine....

You'll likely notice first that this post could've been written a few hours ago, so why didn't I?  Personally, I wanted to process all the promise I saw and review my video's/pictures of the morning.  I've been asked by many readers how we look and now I can answer you myself; we look great to me!  Let me break down why and how I came to such a high expectation.   Many players stood out to me as improved or just back and as good as we remember from May 2022.  A hometown name we know well, Carson Meyer, had double goals in the opening scrimmage.  Another player I've said to watch from day one, Nick Blankenburg, had double goals of his own.  These two players were key to Team Red passing Team Blue, the final was 6-2.  Other scores from Team Red came from James Malatesta and Martin Rysavy.  Also on Team Red, Elvis Merzlikins did a great job, as expected.  He was backed up by Nolan Lalande.  Switching to Team Blue James Neal and Be...

After an eventful off-season with a Johnny Gaudreau signing, Patrik Laine re-signing and sadly an Oliver Bjorkstrand trade, it's finally time to see how it all meshes together.  Yes 5th Line, it's finally time for Training Camp!  The full schedule can be found in the link below, along with details about an open practice to the public this Saturday, September 24th!   As reports come available from Jeff Svoboda and other trusted sources, I'll update you.  The process begins on Wednesday, when all our Blue Jackets arrive for physical testing.  This will then be followed by the first true day of practice on Thursday, September 22.   Link<  CBJ to open 2022 Training Camp, presented by OhioHealth, on Sept. 21 (nhl.com)    Go CBJ!   Source Blue Jackets Staff Writers @BlueJacketsNHL September 19, 2022.   CBJ to open 2022 Training Camp, presented by OhioHealth, on Sept. 21 (nhl.com)

This game today was the final one for the Columbus Blue Jackets Prospect Team in the 2022 Traverse City Tournament.  The Maple leafs had a strong team, just as the Blue Jackets did.  After Period 1 this was proven fact as the teams would trade scores.  The first would come from David Jericek and if you blinked, you likely missed this goal.  It came just 30 seconds after puck drop!  After some fast skating by the Maple Leafs however, they would find a way with Axel Rindell, knotting up the score and this period would close with that 1-1 tie.   Period 2 would belong to the Maple Leafs, in regard to scoring.  Both teams created good chances with breakaways and strategy.  However, only the Maple Leafs would capitalize, and that's because they were in our end this Period, far more often than we were in theirs.  The loan goal this period would take them up 2-1, thanks to Alex Steeves.  The period would end like this in large part to Jet G...

Today was Game 2 of the 2022 Traverse City Tournament for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The opponent was a well-rested Detroit Red Wings team, which today played their first game of this tournament.  This was an advantage, but the Blue Jackets were up for the challenge, riding on their 7-1 win over the St. Louis Blues yesterday.   With that intro setting the icy stage, the Detroit Red Wings would come up with the first goal, from Riley Piercey.  This would give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead, but thanks to Captain Kent Johnson, that lead dissolved quickly.  After Period 1 concluded, the score would be tied yet again, at 1-1.  A note to take away from Period 1, via Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) on Twitter:  " Mikael Pyyhtia has left the #CBJ bench and is being looked at by trainers. Didn't look too serious, but the top-line winger is out at the moment." In Period 2, just after the game's half-way point would come, Riley Piercey would gain his second goal...

The expectations were high today as Captain Kent Johnson led a group of young players into Game 1 of the 2022 Traverse City Tournament.  I can safely say they exceeded those expectations, this afternoon, in every way.  The scoring would open with a goal from Jordan Dumais, less than 2 minutes into the game.  He'd then follow that goal up with another, making it 2-0 Blue Jackets.  This early lead would expand again, before Period 1 would close, with a goal from Samuel Kinazko.  3-0 after Period 1.   Period 2 would prove to be just as eventful for the Blue Jackets.  Liam Hawel would put up a 4th goal, then quickly after Captain Kent Johnson would add on a 5th.  The St. Louis Blues would finally get a puck past Jet Graves, making it 5-1 Blue Jackets.  However, Luca Del Bel Belluz would add his first goal in Traverse City, giving the Blue Jackets another 3-goal period.   In the final period, the Blue Jackets would have one final go...

I've asked, you've asked and today on his "CBJIn30 Monday Mailbag for September 12,2022" Bob McElligott came through with an answer for us!  My question (3/3) I sent him last night was as follows: "Any news on if the Kivi Banner will stay up in NWA?"  "NWA" of course referring to the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nationwide Arena.  To paraphrase Bob's answer there was a plan laid out at the start of the 2021-22 NHL Season, before the banner was raise, and they will be sticking to it.  That plan was for the banner to be risen on opening night of the first season without Matiss Kivlenieks, then for it to come down.  Bob Mcelligott assured all of us on his Twitter Space this afternoon that there will be a remembrance set up in the arena, however, it might not be the banner itself.   With that being said, Bob mentioned a nice idea, this was to give the banner to the Kivlenieks family.  If this doesn't happen, I think it could also have a n...

If you recently bought a Jersey or Player Tee with the following players, I'm sorry and don't blame me, I have zero impute on this decision!  No reason has been disclosed yet for the changes, however, at least 4 Columbus Blue Jackets who played in the 2021-22 NHL Season will return this year with new numbers.  These players include: Gavin Bayreuther, who will now dawn number 15. Jake Christiansen, who will transition to number 23. Vladislav Gavrikov will now change to number 4.   Brendan Gaunce will take on number 12.    Carson Meyer will take over former goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky's number 72.   Mathieu Oliver, newly signed, will don number 24.   Erik Gudbranson, also newly signed from the flames, has been given number 44. That's an amazing 7 players to get a new number or their first as a Columbus Blue Jacket.  Congratulations to all of them, I can't wait to see what you do to represent our city while wearing them.  If any ...