Blue Jackets are gearing up for a very important week in their history

Teams are in Nashville and seem like they’re ready to get this week underway.

There is a full slate of events happening this week in the NHL, but for the Columbus Blue Jackets, it’s a week that could very well turn the franchise towards the future, in a hurry. But for the next few days, they can sit back and watch.

Monday night are the NHL Awards. The CBJ aren’t nominated for the anything, so we could only expect that GM Jarmo Kekalainen is working hard, per usual.

There are rumors that the NHL will release the 2023-24 schedule on Tuesday. That should fire up fans just in time for the draft on Wednesday. Last season the CBJ provided printed schedules for the 2022-23 season for fans who went to the draft watch party. It really seemed to hit home that the season was coming.

Wednesday is the day. The 2023 NHL Entry Draft 1^st round will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Jackets are picking third and whoever they choose will surely get the fans in Columbus worked up, both positively and negatively. Columbus fans are passionate and will voice their pleasure or displeasure on Wednesday night, there’s no doubt about that. The player they choose, will be expected to become a superstar. The combined points for players drafted third overall, all-time are 22,667, with Denis Savard being the player drafted 3rd overall with the most points. If Leo Carlsson goes third, he'll be the second Swedish-born player to go third, with Henrik Sedin being the other. 

On Thursday, the rest of the draft will take place. The Jackets have 6 picks from rounds 2-7. The question is, who else will they draft? Will they go with who THN has them mocked to pick at #34, 18-year-old Michael Hrabal, one of the top goalie prospects in this draft? A different goalie? Or a forward? Jarmo has his work cut out for him.

Friday is the day that qualifying offers are due. Tim Berni, Trey Fix-Wolansky and Marcus Bjork are on that list to receive qualifying offers. I expect all three to be signed, but stranger things have happened.

Saturday is the big day in the NHL, the start of free agency. The day where Unrestricted Free Agents can sign wherever they are wanted. There are some massive names on the list this year. Names like Patrick Kane, Ryan O’Reilly and Vladamir Tarasenko. It’s highly unlikely the Jackets sign any of the big names, but they could sign a center that will make a lot less than they had in the past. Also, the CBJ are expected to name Mike Babcock as their next head coach. They might wait until Monday, after free agency has been going for a few days. Kekalainen will be busy during the weekend I would imagine.

So, it all starts tonight, it’s a huge week in the NHL. If you’re in Columbus, come out to the watch party at PINS at Easton, you will be shocked at how many people show up. Also, get your popcorn ready, there may be some fireworks this week as well.