The CBJ Writer

 If the overtime Penguins win in Columbus a couple nights back wasn't entertaining enough, I give you tonight's game recap. This game in St. Louis had everything; goals, penalties, fights, a game misconduct. It was something to behold, so let's get into it! Goal one of this game would come from the home Blues' Jakub Vrana at 8:17. However, an Emil Bemstrom equalizer would be on the horizon. This goal, making it a 1-1 game, would come at 13:29! Alexander Texier would have his first assist on this goal, and the only one as well. At 15:18, though, the Blues would rush the Blue Jackets' net with Aaron Dell inside. Isaac Ratcliffe would score, and new Head Coach, Pascal Vincent, would challenge for Goaltender Interference. This review would be quick, and not go in our favor. This 2-1 Blues lead would quickly turn 3-1 after another goal during their awarded powerplay, thanks to our challenge loss. That third goal would come from Oskar Sundqvist at 16:31.  Period 2 would s...

Today, while I was working, the Columbus Blue Jackets kicked off the 2023 Preseason at the Pittsburgh Penguins. This game went to overtime, then a shootout before the end result was a 3-2 Pittsburgh Penguins win.  Tonight, it was finally hockey time for me after work, and this is the game I will recap for you in this blog. At a glance, I think the best thing about tonight is hearing some familiar names we've all missed due to injury or personal situations. Zach Werenski is back from his season-ending shoulder injury early last season, and so is Alexander Texier who had to step away last season to be home in France after a family loss. Hearing their names tonight, along with everyone else's was amazing, especially when it led to the first score tonight! Texier would be the first to score tonight at 4:37 into the first period. Newcomer Adam Fantilli would have the primary assist on this goal, while Patrik Laine would have the secondary. Just before this period would end, though, ...

You all have come to know my blog as a place full of facts and optimism for our Ohio NHL Team. Today, that will not change. Allegations were made against the newly hired Mike Babcock. These Allegations have not really been confirmed or denied, and at times player accounts in the organization have differed as well. That said, the fact is simple: Mike Babcock has resigned as the Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach and Pascal Vincent has been promoted to the position. This blog will be about him as we must focus on the present. The 2023-24 NHL Season is too close to look back, it's again that simple. So, let's discuss Head Coach Pascal Vincent.  Pascal Vincent isn't new to being a head coach. For several seasons, Vincent was the Head Coach of the Manitoba Moose' he led the team to a winning season in 2017-18 that gifted him with the AHL's Coach of the Year recognition. Between the Winnipeg Jets and then the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vincent has also worked for many seasons a...

It's a bold title, but looking ahead after the recent week for the Columbus Blue Jackets, I stand by it. The future for this franchise does start now. Personally, I liked Brad Larson as a head coach. He defied expectations, but last season with the injuries and constant landslide losses brought his time in Columbus to an end. I hope he finds success elsewhere, I really do. With that said, it's now time to look forward to the next chapter, the ninth for this franchise, and welcome Head Coach Mike Babcock to our great city!  From his two Gold Olympic Medals with Team Canada to his 2008 Stanley Cup win, there are too many merits on Mike Babcok's resume to count. However, no one is perfect, and Coach Babcock has spent the last several years improving his coaching. His last job in the NHL ended with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 due to him being too hard on his players. Some claimed he was mentally abusive. That said, it takes a man willing to change to admit he's done wro...

Gaining a Center in Round 1 of the 2023 NHL Draft was expected due to necessity. To the joy of many 5th Line Fans, Adam Fantilli, from the University of Michigan, wasn't taken by the Anaheim Ducks. This allowed us to take him, and the chills from that moment alone are still abundant. I've been shouting his name for months, and to see him in our jersey is nothing short of incredible.  That said, the wonder of if this luck would continue for the Columbus Blue Jackets in Rounds 2-7 of this year's NHL Draft was unseen. Now, after its conclusion, however, I can definitely say this draft couldn't have gotten much better for us! We'll pick up in Round 2 where we had the 34th Pick Overall and took Gavin Brindley.  This pick made Adam Fantilli very happy as Gavin is also from the University of Michigan, meaning these two men already know how to play together; huge bonus. The Right Wing is years old. He's 5'9 and just 168 pounds, but don't let that fool you, this ...

It doesn't seem possible that this is my fourth time covering the NHL Draft for our Columbus Blue Jackets, and yet, it is. Every year I get the chills, and this one is amplified as we have the 3rd Overall Pick. It is an incredible pool of young players to pick from this time around. I know many wanted the 1st Round Pick after the season we have, but we must keep in mind that many of the incredible Centers available in this draft would be that 1st Pick if not for Conner Bedard. Further, our team wasn't the best it could've been last season due to injury, not even close. Our front office has already started making moves to improve this team and put last season far behind us. With that all said, this night is finally here, and it's time to meet our newest Columbus Blue Jackets. Best of all, this is the player I've wanted since I started recording Big Ten Hockey in January. Come on down from Michigan, Mr. Adam Fantilli!      This guy can score some slick goals, but he a...

With 81 penalty minutes, 5 goals, and 10 assists for 15 points, Mathieu Olivier made a mark on the Columbus Blue Jackets after being traded here during the 2022 off-season. Now, he's being rewarded for his efforts as the franchise has given him a deal to stay and additional two NHL Seasons. Over this time he'll make a good chunk of change, too, at $2.2 Million. It will be great to see the twenty-six-year-old back in his number 24 sweater for the Blue Jackets this fall as the valuable Right Wing we've come to enjoy watching score and stand up for his teammates.  Go CBJ!    Source: Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) Twitter 6/21/23. Twitter headline only, not article posted: " #CBJ NEWS: The Blue Jackets have signed right wing Mathieu Olivier to a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension through the 2024-25 NHL season."