Blue Jackets

A Recap Of The Off-Season- Columbus Blue Jackets

This had to be one of the most, if not the most, eventful off-seasons for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  In some ways it was amazing, and in some ways it hurt beyond our worst imagination.  So, before the new season begins tonight, let’s do a recap of the 2021 NHL Off-Season Columbus Blue Jackets.

With Nick Foligno traded to the Maple Leafs, early into the Off-Season, the Blue Jackets were left without a Captain.  The city of Columbus was also left without a franchise face and leader.  It was sad to see him go.  Afterward though, rumors began as to who would take his place.  Many argued for Seth Jones.  He made it clear though, with a year on his contract, that his future wasn’t Columbus.  He would soon exit the tea,. the night of the 2021 NHL Draft.  He is now in Chicago, playing alongside his brother Caleb Jones, for the Blackhawks.  Again, it was sad to lose them as well, however, the team would feel more loss later on in the 2021 Off-season.

The Off-Season started with a bang, no pun intended, when John Tortorella’s contract wasn’t renewed.  Most saw this coming after the team finished last in it’s mortified, pandemic division.  John Tortorella has since taken a job with ESPN in a role of broadcasting.  We wish him luck on his new career endeavor.

Not long after Tortorella’s departure the team picked a new leader.  This would be the former Columbus Blue Jackets Powerplay Coach, Brad Larson.  Many on the team backed him upon the announcement, stating the players had an equal say in the choice, as staff.  Some on the 5th Line (Blue Jackets fan base) are still unsure about this choice.  We must simply skate into the 2021-2022 season with an open mind, and renewed hope in his abilities.

The next manor even for the team, may have been the most heartbreaking in franchise history.  On July 5th, 2021, we learned the tragic news of Goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks untimely death, from a firework on July 4th.   The Goaltending Coach (Legacy) had been hosting his daughter’s wedding.  He later revealed in an interview that they’d done fireworks for 17 years straight, and this time something went devastatingly wrong.  We watched as a team mourned, and a fan base remembered.  Even writing this now, months later, it still brings tears to my eyes.  I do a lot of reporting for this website, but I have always been a Blue Jacket, and always will be.  This hurt so much, every time I had to write something new, but I constantly remember it’s my part in this amazing hockey community to do just that.  Tonight, before the game, his family will be here from their home of Latvia.  They will hold a puck drop to honor the late, great Matiss Kivlenieks.  In addition to this, a banner with his number of 80 will be risen as well, and stay in place for the duration of the season.  We hope it is the longest yet.

With the sting still in our hearts, we all looked forward to the 2021 NHL Draft.  Along with this we watched a new franchise be built, The Seattle Kraken.  The Blue Jackets need for new talent was apparent though, as Seth Jones departed, as previously mentioned.  So, the team focused and we grabbed some incredible players.

5th Overall was Kent Johnson.

12th Overall (In exchange for Jones) was Cole Sillinger.

25th Overall was Corson Ceulemans.

It was an exciting night, which would give way to a very shocking morning.  Upon awaking, most members of the 5th Line were shocked to hear the news, Cam Atkinson, the frontrunner in most minds to take Captain, had been traded.  I didn’t believe it, I can assure you of that.  The only thing to soften the blow was who we received in return, Jakub Voracek, a former Columbus Blue Jackets player.  So, not all bad, but for most it still stung.   The rest of the 2021 NHL Draft went as follows, for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Via my article (https://skullkingsports.com/blog/2021/07/24/blue-jackets-2021-nhl-draft-rounds-2-7/).

“In Round 2 the Blue Jackets had no picks.

In Round 3 we had a familiar 5th pick, again.  We took Stanislav Svozil, a Defenseman.

With our 4 Round 5th pick we selected Guillaume Richard.  He is also a Defenseman.

In Round 5 we had the 4th pick and 5th pick.  Our 4th pick was Nikolai Makarov, who is yet another Defenseman.   With the 5th pick in this round, we took James Malatesta.  He marks our third Center of this draft.

Round 6, Pick 5 went to Ben Boyd.  He marks our now fourth center of this draft.

Last, but not least, came our Round 7, 5th Pick.  Martin Rysavy, provided a change up, as a Left Winger.”

As many know, after the Draft comes Free Agency.  This year we saw contracts go to Patrik Laine, Jake Bean, Andrew Peeke and others.  Sadly, we saw Michael Del Zotto exit, without a contract, but after so much turn over in the franchise no one was really surprised.  Still, we wish him luck and thank him for his Blue Jackets contributions.  One of the biggest deals this off season had to be Zach Werenski’s deal however.  It was for a staggering 8 years, and netted the player well over $60 Million for his commitment to Columbus.

After some minor staff shake-ups, in the assistant coaching staff, we saw some stability form.  It was then off to the Traverse City Prospect Tournament.  A newly Drafted and Signed Cole Sillinger made his mark, as well as Yegor Chinakhov and Sean Kuraly, among others.  The Blue Jackets went 4-0 in the Tournament, and this set up a comparative Training Camp ahead.  It was fun to watch the men train, back on the ice together again, with new faces and old.  However, the best part was Preseason Hockey.

Game 1 on September 27th, 2021.  Blue Jackets @ Penguins.  Final was 3-0 Blue Jackets.  W

Game 2 on September 28th, 2021.  Blue Jackets @ Sabres.  Final in Shoot Out was 5-4 Sabres.  L

Game 3 on September 29th, 2021.  Blues @ Blue Jackets.  Final was 5-2 Blue Jackets.   W

Game 4 on October 2nd, 2021.  Blue Jackets @ Red Wings.  Final was 5-1 Red Wings.  L

Game 5 on October 4th, 2021.  Blue Jackets @ Sabres.  Final was 5-3 Blue Jackets.  W

Game 6 on October 6th, 2021.  Red Wings @ Blue Jackets.  Final was 4-2 Blue Jackets.  W

Game 7 on October 8th, 2021.  Blue Jackets @ Blues.  Final was 7-3 Blues.  L

Game 8 on October 9th, 2021.  Penguins @ Blue Jackets.  Final in Overtime was 4-3 Penguins.  L

During Preseason we also saw Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins dedicate himself to Columbus, for the next 5 years!

With the Preseason in the books, a roster was cut one final time.  Here are the results, also via my own article here (https://skullkingsports.com/blog/2021/10/10/larson-completes-his-final-blue-jackets-roster/)

Forwards (14 men total)

Bemstrom

Bjorkstrand

Domi

Hofmann

Jenner

Kuraly

Laine

Nyquest

Robinson

Roslovic

Sillinger

Texier

Voracek

Defense (7 total men)

Bean

Boqvist

Gavrikov

Harrington

Kukan

Peeke

Werenski

Goaltenders (2 total men)

Korpisalo

Merzlikins

You can see the opening night roster, for tonight, here:  (https://skullkingsports.com/blog/2021/10/11/its-the-official-blue-jackets-roster-for-opening-night-october-14th/).

Last, to wrap this eventful (in both good ways and bad) Off-Season with a tight red, white and blue bow, we must go back to the beginning.  The team needs a Captain, right?  At this point, it’s third times a charm for fans, but I believe he will be a lucky one for this team.  Yesterday, we watch Boone Jenner (BOOOOOONE) be named the 7th Captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, in this teams history.  The Alternate Captains, who will serve alongside him, are Oliver Bjorkstrand, Zach Werenski, and Gustov Nyquist.  We’re thrilled to watch their leadership lead this team, and our city, into the future.  A future, which begins tonight.

Do you have chills 5th Line?  I do.

Go CBJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

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