Brian Hedger
@brianhedger
#BlueJackets #CBJ for The Columbus Dispatch, bhedger@dispatch.com ... I take your question.
Almost set for soccer here at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. #Crew96 vs CF Pachuca in Leagues Cup play.
And here we go, the prequel to the 7/16 unveiling of the full 84-game NHL sked just arrived ... and the #CBJ will host the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1 in the home opener at Nationwide Arena. Also, the Jackets won't be playing in anybody else's home opener. Here are the NHL's 32 home opener dates ->
I'll be writing a new story about this, but for now, here are statements from both #CBJ president/GM Don Waddell and Zach Werenski re: his future:
#CBJ coach Rick Bowness on the Werenski, Marchenko uncertainty/trade talk.
#CBJ extend qualifying offers to pending RFAs Fantilli, Sillinger, Tuch and Greaves. They did not extend QOs to Zamula or Svozil, making both unrestricted free agents. Zamula is set to play in Russia next season, while Svozil is headed back to Czechia.
For those interested in attending #CBJ development camp, which starts today at the OhioHealth Ice Haus, here are the two camp rosters, Groups A & B. Four first-round picks from the past three drafts will be there -> Lindstrom ('24 4th), Smith ('25 14th), Andreyanov ('25 20th), Hemming ('25 14th)
#CBJ President/GM Don Waddell on the Zach Werenski situation re: a possible trade request coming:
Second weather delay here at Muirfield. Personally, I'd keep playing. I don't think the heavy stuff's going to come down for quite a while. www.dispatch.com/story/sports...
Second college FA signing in as many days for the #CBJ ... second Frozen Four player and this one, Boston Buckberger, is a two-timenational champion D for U of Denver. This is after the Jackets inked Michigan F Josh Eernisse to a one-year ELC starting next season.
Screengrabs courtesy of FanDuel. The first (left) shows NHL referee Gord Dwyer with his left hand to his mouth, as if blowing a whistle, which #CBJ D Zach Werenski says he did to stop play prior to the game's final draw. Second (right) shows Dwyer talking to the Bruins' bench as play continues.
Talked to #CBJ forward Mason Marchment about this part of his pregame routine. Turns out, ala Happy Gilmore, he’s a golf ball, uh, whacker guy. That’s a Titleist with his former number with the Kraken and Stars (27) stamped on it. Gotta love the slides too.
Evidence that #CBJ got zebra'd (again) and goalie'd (again). Even-strength stat breakdown via @naturalstattrick.com ->
Here's the official ruling from the NHL on Lee's overturned goal in the third for goaltender interference. #CBJ ->
It's been brought to my attention ... many times over ... that we at @dispatch.com aren't getting enough of you to actually click on #CBJ links I send out. So, it's come to this. Click the links or else the dog gets it (also, no actual canines were harmed while creating this post) ->
Tale of the tape at even strength for #CBJ and Flyers at the first break via @naturalstattrick.com ->
1-1 after on there in Philly, Marchenko scoring for #CBJ and Alex Bump tying it for Philly. Here's the NHL's stat sheet ->
Gudbranson to miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury, Zamula draws back into #CBJ lineup in his spot. Starters, scratches, lineups, coaches and zebras ->
Tale of the tape per @naturalstattrick.com after two down there in South Florida, #CBJ leading Panthers 1-0 ->
#CBJ postgame video wrap from yours truly. Jackets fall 4-3 in OT to the Islanders, another gut wrenching loss in a game they needed to win.
Pregame tribute to #CBJ D Zach Werenski. Olympians Elvis Merzlikins (Latvia), Bo Horvat (Canada) and Ondrej Palat (Czechia) also recognized.
Elvis Merzlikins, one of two #CBJ Olympians, leads the postgame stretch today in his first practice back. Zach Werenski is still in Milan wearing a gold medal.
#CBJ officially back to practice, missing their two Olympians (Werenski, Merzlikins) plus Marchenko and Monahan (not sure why they’re not skating). Everybody else in gear and skating at the Ice Haus.
Silovs gets the start vs Denmark, starting each end of Latvia's back-to-back to end the preliminary round. Silovs replaced Merzlikins to start the third in Latvia's 5-1 loss to the U.S. on Thursday, and has now started the past two games. Barring a health issue for Merzlikins, he's the guy now.
Marchenko being Marchenko, he is still out skating about 45 mins after getting on the ice this morning. We’ll see if that means he’s available to play tonight or not when the #CBJ host #Blackhawks
