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MORE THAN (JOHNNY) HOCKEY - Sept. 26, 2022 – Vol. 76, Issue 6 - Ryan Kennedy

With all Apologies to Nazem Kadri, Darcy Kuemper and all of the other NHL stars who took their talents elsewhere in free agency, the signing of the summer goes to the Columbus Blue Jackets for snagging Johnny Gaudreau and creating a seismic wave in the hockey world. If you hadn’t noticed, attracting free agents to central Ohio hasn’t been easy for the organization in the past. But Gaudreau, who received Hart Trophy consideration last season, wanted to come to Columbus.

We’re all looking forward to what’s to come on the ice. The idea of playmaking ‘Johnny Hockey’ teaming up with deadly sniper Patrik Laine is a thrilling one. But it’s off the ice where the Blue Jackets also had to have a strong case for Gaudreau – the subject of our cover story (starting on pg. 32).

One of the city’s biggest hockey boosters is Cam Atkinson, now playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. Atkinson spoke to Gaudreau throughout the free-agency process, and he laid out the case for Columbus for us media folk at the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour in Las Vegas. The talented right winger spent a decade in Columbus, and it’s where both of his sons were born. “There’s a reason why a lot of players retire there and live there full time,” Atkinson said. “I just explained to him that you only travel eight minutes to get downtown, 15 minutes to the airport, everything is at your disposal in 15-20 minutes, tops. You have the zoo. You have five of the top 60 golf courses in the country. People don’t know what Columbus is all about unless you’ve been there.”

I’ve actually been to Columbus many times, and not just for the Blue Jackets. Back in my Young Man Days, my friends and I would make the pilgrimage to Columbus every summer for the punk-rock More Than Music Festival. From lounging on the Ohio State grass across from the Newport Music Hall to hanging out in the state fairground parking lot, I always had fun in town (and if memory serves, I think I even saw the construction of Nationwide Arena).

Now, I was sleeping on people’s couches in punk houses near Ohio State (or one year, under a fax machine at the office of a friend’s dad), so I can’t much speak to the beauty of Columbus’ nicer neighborhoods, but Gaudreau ended up buying his new place from erstwhile Blue Jacket Oliver Bjorkstrand, who was dealt to Seattle in order to clear up cap space.

What I do know is that this is a game-changer for an organization that has never had a 100-point scorer in its lineup – and I’m not alone in that thinking. As soon as the Gaudreau signing was announced, the city sprang into action. The Jackets told me they were on pace to sell the most new season tickets they had at any time in the past 10 years. Toss in the diehard faithful who have supported the team through thick and thin and you’ve got a whole new level of excitement coming to the rink. Overall, the Jackets expected to crest 11,000 season tickets this year, which would put them back to pre-pandemic levels.

I’ve heard the cannon roar at Nationwide Arena, and I’ve witnessed the sheer force of the crowd therein. The Blue Jackets still play in a difficult Metropolitan Division, and nothing in life is guaranteed, but with Gaudreau leading an offense that also features Laine, promising rookies Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko, and with defenseman Zach Werenski helping out from the back, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Columbus this season and beyond.

BREAKING NEWS: Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Ivan Provorov To A Seven-Year Deal The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced they have signed defensemen Ivan Provorov to a seven-year deal that carries an AAV of $8.5 million per season.

Blue Jackets Sign Center Isac Lundeström The Columbus Blue Jackets are signing center Isac Lundeström to a two-year contract. The contract will be worth $1.3 million per season. 

Blue Jackets Lose Justin Danforth Bob McKenzie has reported that forward Justin Danforth has signed with the Buffalo Sabres on a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.8 million.

Columbus Brings Back Owen Sillinger On A One-Year Deal Columbus has brought back Owen Sillinger, signing him today to a one-year, two-wat contract.

Blue Jackets Sign Defenseman Christian Jaros The Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Christian Jaros to a one-year, two-way contract today. 

Former Blue Jackets Defenseman Jordan Harris Signs With Boston Former Blue Jackets defenseman Jordan Harris will sign with the Boston Bruins per Elliotte Friedman.