The CBJ Writer

If you're reading this now and are a loyal fan of mine, thank you for your patience. What I write today is independent of the influence of others. I have avoided reading any articles about the Columbus Blue Jackets hiring of Dan Waddell and only listened to his words so I could give my thoughts without plagiarizing another journalist or blogger. This news also broke while I was working, so that's why you'll see I reposted Columbus Blue Jackets official posts for you all to read but not myself. So, without further delay, here are my thoughts on the organization's hiring of Dan Waddell.  First and foremost, the accomplishments this man has alone speak volumes. How he built and transformed the Carolina Hurricanes into a team with multiple NHL Playoff appearances and Division Championships is enough to sell his worth. That said, his thought process on Columbus is something I'm encouraged by as well. He stated that he would work within the organization and get to know it...

As the offseason gets underway, we all know the first step in missing the postseason is the NHL Draft Lottery, and it didn't disappoint for Columbus this evening. We will be fourth up in Round 1, which gives us a great opportunity to either pick another young player to mold and shape for this franchise or trade the pick for a player we need. Being this high in any draft gives a General Manager multiple directions to go, and I say 'a General Manager' because the franchise still needs one. Currently, John Davidson, the Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations, is doing his position and that of a General Manager until one is found. Personally, I hope the news of one being hired comes soon, as I'd like them to be settled into the organization before this Draft takes place.  In addition, we now know that the 2024 NHL Draft will take place in Las Vegas's brand-new technological thriller, The Sphere. Having seen videos of U2 playing within it, I can only imagin...

 Last night was a very big night in Columbus, Ohio. Personally, I went to watch the game with friends, and that's why I'm writing this post later than normal. I hope you understand, readers. I'm so happy I got to watch the game because we had Jeff Rimer's final broadcast as the Columbus Blue Jackets play-by-play announcer. That concept alone brought many tears to my eyes multiple times throughout the evening. Hearing the 5th Line chant 'Rimer' is something I'll never forget. This goes double for watching him announce the lineup in the locker room pregame, a classy move by Head Coach Pascal Vincent. I could go on and on, but we have a Blue Jackets WIN to recap, and I know Jeff would want me to move on from dating over him (even if it's easier said than done!) This night would start with some Michigan magic in the air as yet another player from the University joins the ranks. The accolades for Gavin Brindley are long, and I, for one, can't wait to watc...

 It's farewell to the black asphalt for the Columbus Blue Jackets as they tackle their final 2023-24 NHL Season Roadgame tonight in Nashville. The Predators locked up their playoff advancement last week, but that doesn't mean they're done winning games, especially on the evening of their final one at home this regular season. That said, a Blue Jacket quickly made tonight memorable for himself as he scored his first NHL Goal at 2:02; this goal belonged to James Malatesta and was also the first goal of the game. On April 13th, Justin Danforth would score his thirteenth assist this season on this James Malatesta goal. Unfortunately, the Predators would 3X Malatesta's goal. Tommy Novak would score his seventeenth goal this season at 2:49 and his eighteenth goal this season at 13:25. Between those two goals, Roman Josi would also score for the home team at 4:19. Johnny Gaudreau would shoot a puck with less than a second left in the opening period, but it would slide along th...

Facing a former goaltender is never easy, but when that former goaltender is arguably one of the best your city ever saw, and he has a former Standley Cup Final team before him, it's a tall order. Growing legend Mathew Tkachuk would kick off the goal-scoring in Florida tonight. It was initiation by fire for Jet Greaves, as his Twenty-sixth goal this season would come at 0:47. That said, the visiting team would keep Thachuk and his teammates from scoring for the rest of the period. Still, they wouldn't score themselves, a problem the Blue Jackets have faced many times this season.  Something had to give after 3/4th of the second period had passed with no goals, and the game would break in favor of the Panthers at 17:25. This would be goal number twelve this season for Evan Rodrigues and a wakeup call for the visiting Blue Jackets. A spark would ignite, and Alexander Texier would shoot a laser at Sergei Bobrovsky, but he was locked in and quickly stopped the scoring opportunity. ...

Tonight would start out rough for the visiting team. Alex Nylander wouldn't even make it to puck drop, leaving warm-up in Tampa Bay early and never seeing the ice again tonight. When it was announced he had a lower-body injury, the team would lose their second forward of the night, Carson Meyer, to an upper-body injury. Add in Brayden Point having the game-opening goal, taking his Lightning team up 1-0 at 16:31 with his forty-fourth goal this season, and the outlook on the night didn't look so bright, 5th Line. But then, have no fear; Kirill Marchenko is here! At 19:17, goal twenty-two this season would come for Kirill Marchenko, allowing him to pass his twenty-one goals in his rookie season last year! Last season, Cole Sillinger had eighteen assists, and on this Marcheko goal, he again has achieved eighteen assists. In addition, the secondary assist would go to Damon Severson, allowing him to also have at least eighteen assists this season.  At 7:13, Kirill Marchenko's sco...

Only some have social media. I'm going to start this blog off by offering my condolences again to the Jenner family regarding the loss of their son, Dawson. I shared the Columbus Blue Jackets post yesterday on Facebook and X, but this is my universal platform, and I also wanted to say it here. Making a post didn't seem right, as I don't want to gain views from something so heartbreaking. I hope you all understand.  First, welcome back to Ken Hitchcock! The commemorative puck drop to kick off the game was so cool to watch, especially as someone who was very young when you were here as Head Coach!  Tonight's home game took place with few of the names we know and love like Boone Jenner, Johnny Gaudreau, Elvis Merzlikins...the list goes on. Johnny Gaudreau was announced out with less than an hour till the puck drop against the visiting New York Islanders. He is listed as 'ill,' I wish him a quick recovery, along with all our other players out of the lineup tonight. ...