{"time":1787571969316,"blocks":[{"id":"mt75u2du","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/110f1756-3bec-4877-a209-3550c6292042/mp4","caption":"","autoplay":false,"controls":true,"muted":false,"stretched":true,"width":0,"height":0,"image":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/110f1756-3bec-4877-a209-3550c6292042/thumbnail"},"cdn":{"videoId":"110f1756-3bec-4877-a209-3550c6292042","libraryId":"372172","collectionId":"30032062-eefd-4041-a355-12ad05bc987b","cdnBaseUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net","mp4Url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/110f1756-3bec-4877-a209-3550c6292042/mp4","thumbnailUrl":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/110f1756-3bec-4877-a209-3550c6292042/thumbnail","previewAnimationUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net/110f1756-3bec-4877-a209-3550c6292042/preview.webp"}}},{"id":"tAVkPMADmG","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"NEWS & NOTES"}},{"id":"bmkZOyTEnm","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-have-potential-pto-target-in-ex-blackhawks-defender","meta":{"title":"Blue Jackets Have Potential PTO Target In Ex-Blackhawks Defender","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-have-potential-pto-target-in-ex-blackhawks-defender","description":"The Blue Jackets should take a gamble on this defenseman. ","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/632aae19-36b9-4345-ad3a-31b5abe82161.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"iVxAXkI7v3","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"If the Blue Jackets are open to adding a player on a PTO, it would not be surprising if it is a defenseman. The Blue Jackets' blueline could use more depth, and there are still some interesting UFAs left on the market."}},{"id":"hpCv-4zSP7","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"One UFA who could make sense for the Blue Jackets to take a look at on a PTO is veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. "}},{"id":"SVmGhRTz-v","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-gm-don-waddell-to-get-big-honor-from-alma-mater","meta":{"title":"Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell To Get Big Honor From Alma Mater","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-gm-don-waddell-to-get-big-honor-from-alma-mater","description":"Northern Michigan University, where Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell played his college hockey for four years, has announced that it will honor Waddell in October. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3f81ba9f-f5e7-4c25-9ccf-e9cf54eeec2d.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"RH6YHu4ati","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"On October 2nd, NMU will, for the first time in program history, retire players' jersey numbers and raise banners to commemorate Waddell and two others. "}},{"id":"ieF2zH4YT0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Waddell wore jersey #4 for NMU from 1976 to 1980. Waddell totaled 138 points in 120 games. He was also the team's captain during his junior year. "}},{"id":"KBKjuWh0Oq","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/former-blue-jackets-defenseman-is-best-free-agent-blueliner-left","meta":{"title":"Former Blue Jackets Defenseman Is Best Free Agent Blueliner Left","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/former-blue-jackets-defenseman-is-best-free-agent-blueliner-left","description":"Will this former Blue Jackets defenseman land a contract soon? ","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3dd14f17-2831-405c-bae5-1e069d247020.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"k9wHY1PjwD","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It is a little surprising that Blankenburg has still not been signed at this point in the summer. The former Blue Jackets defenseman just had the best season of his NHL career so far. In 61 games split between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, he set new career highs with eight goals, 16 assists, and 24 points. "}},{"id":"nxvWVLDYyC","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/nhl-27-rankings-released-and-the-results-for-the-blue-jackets-are-puzzling","meta":{"title":"NHL 27 Rankings Released, And The Results For The Blue Jackets Are Puzzling","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/nhl-27-rankings-released-and-the-results-for-the-blue-jackets-are-puzzling","description":"NHL 27 has released its rankings for the 26-27 season, and a few Columbus Blue Jackets are listed. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/54f0b299-8461-4605-8ba5-436854fea02b.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"yQOTuJNlHL","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"#6 - Zach Werenski - 95 Overall"}},{"id":"lIuD6tCKKV","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"#68 - Kirill Marchenko - 89 Overall"}},{"id":"JI1fSs4wGN","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"#137 - Adam Fantilli - 86 Overall"}},{"id":"QlBc-5cHxA","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"#163 - Jet Greaves - 86 Overall"}},{"id":"R3IMSWilTW","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/breaking-news-elvis-merzlikins-has-shoulder-surgery","meta":{"title":"BREAKING NEWS: Elvis Merzlikins Has Shoulder Surgery","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/breaking-news-elvis-merzlikins-has-shoulder-surgery","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that goalie Elvis Merzlikins has undergone shoulder surgery on Monday. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d3a6e61b-3ce6-481a-888b-fa46b4264e76.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"Ln3AvG2QtS","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts,” said Waddell. “Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action. He’ll be evaluated again in a few weeks, at which time we’ll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice.”"}},{"id":"X5m4jUQukX","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-ranked-as-nhls-13th-best-pipeline","meta":{"title":"Blue Jackets' U23 Pipeline Ranked As NHL's 13th-Best","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-ranked-as-nhls-13th-best-pipeline","description":"The Athletic's Corey Pronman recently ranked each NHL team's U23 pipeline. The Columbus Blue Jackets were among the top half of NHL teams ranked by Pronman, as they were given the No. 13 spot. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/93a1f090-5ceb-461d-9658-c4f1f37ad079.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"ItBA8YjskS","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Athletic's Corey Pronman recently ranked each NHL team's U23 pipeline. The Columbus Blue Jackets were among the top half of NHL teams ranked by Pronman, as they were given the No. 13 spot. "}},{"id":"dcLansg1TJ","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/the-hockey-news-magazine-predicts-26-27-metro-standings-and-blue-jackets-fans-wont-be-happy","meta":{"title":"The Hockey News Magazine Predicts 26-27 Metro Standings, And Blue Jackets Fans Won't Be Happy","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/the-hockey-news-magazine-predicts-26-27-metro-standings-and-blue-jackets-fans-wont-be-happy","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have had an interesting summer, to say the least. From player drama with Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko to franchise drama with the releases of radio caller Bob McElligott and team reporter Jeff Svoboda, it hasn't been a fun summer for people who follow the team. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/fbadcb95-72cd-4591-a290-abf9a96ed079.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"2NX5Skt9k0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Where do you think the CBJ will finish this season?"}},{"id":"nkbz99jSD0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"OPENING NIGHT COUNTDOWNS"}},{"id":"kzSz6XiAsd","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/45-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-45","meta":{"title":"45 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #45","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/45-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-45","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have 45 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #45. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/87468d4d-5236-410f-b4f7-c6dfbc827914.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"ablWTTOHZO","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Town of Yarmouth declared July 13, 2013, as Jody Shelley Day, and honoured Shelley by renaming Cottage Street as Jody Shelley Drive, and also renumbering the Mariners Centre, the local winter sports facility, as 45 Jody Shelley Drive, after his jersey number. "}},{"id":"9jbbHAntbL","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/44-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-44","meta":{"title":"44 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #44","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/44-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-44","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have 44 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today we look at the history of jersey #44. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/600d92fd-8c00-4a12-8c97-928c9048b98e.webp","type":"webp","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"cWhWiMm59J","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Klesla made his NHL debut in 2000 before he was sent back to Junior. He would come up in the next season and be there full-time. He would then go on to play in 515 games for the Jackets over the course of 10 seasons. On February 28, 2011, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes and played the next four years. "}},{"id":"3HKa8NNb7X","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/43-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-43","meta":{"title":"43 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #43","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/43-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-43","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have 43 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #43. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6a1fd4bf-91e9-41e6-a2f8-8f5eaf82eb67.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"inKfLnqZ3o","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Jan Čaloun - 2001 - Drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 1992."}},{"id":"vCe4sXsn7K","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Čaloun played 11 games for the CBJ during its inaugural season, scoring three points. After his 11 games in Columbus, he would return to Europe and retire in 2010. He moved into coaching after his playing days, and currently coaches ESC Dresden U17 in Germany. "}},{"id":"LVzAzs7Mk3","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/42-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-42","meta":{"title":"42 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #42","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/42-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-42","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have 42 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #42. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0c205153-9042-45a9-957a-23858e68ec87.webp","type":"webp","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"HaRXsq5lZw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kevyn Adams - 2000-01 - Adams was drafted 25th overall in the 1993 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. "}},{"id":"1d5c3KhB-g","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Adams was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2000 NHL expansion draft. He would Adams would score 22 points in 66 games with the Blue Jackets before being traded at the trade deadline to the Florida Panthers alongside a 4th-round pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft in exchange for Ray Whitney and future considerations. "}},{"id":"Tob3pPdvQt","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/41-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-41","meta":{"title":"41 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #41","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/41-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-41","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have 41 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #41. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3ff87b1b-56c8-424a-bbe9-a5825ebd589b.webp","type":"webp","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"4oukJAEFNP","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Ben Simon - 2005-06 - Simon was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1997 NHL Draft. "}},{"id":"U-E86AZ6aF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Simon, a native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, played 13 games for Columbus during the 2005-06 season. He totaled zero points. He left for Europe and played one season in the EIHL in England. He retired in 2011. "}},{"id":"enM2QTjE97","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/40-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-40","meta":{"title":"40 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #40","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/40-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-40","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have 40 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #40. No active players currently wear the #40. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2d90f261-99a1-4554-bba4-589eff274428.webp","type":"webp","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"Zr9DKjLjwA","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Bill Bowler - 2000-01 - Bowler was undrafted out of Toronto, CA. "}},{"id":"LeX6zIbKpx","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Bowler played a total of 9 games for the Jackets during their inaugural season and had two points. He spent most of that year with the Syracuse Crunch and totaled 79 points in 72 games. In 2002, he spent one season in Germany before retiring."}},{"id":"hINGZhwCHk","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/39-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-39","meta":{"title":"39 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #39","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/39-days-until-opening-night-the-history-of-jersey-39","description":"The Columbus Blue Jackets have 39 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #39. \n","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ccbaeb16-f368-4865-b5b5-530f1bbd960d.webp","type":"webp","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"PA9Gbm8mCC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Mike Pandolfo - 2003-04 - Pandolfo was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 3rd round of the 1998 NHL Draft. "}},{"id":"0xnvFfZA3t","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Pandolfo was traded to the Blue Jackets at the 2002 NHL Draft. He played in three games for Columbus during the 03-04 season and had zero points. He spent most of his time with Columbus playing for the Syracuse Crunch. He retired after the 2007–08 season. "}},{"id":"mbgs6S_CKR","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!"}},{"id":"Rprx6DBB5O","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story."}},{"id":"qjmuoSWyP1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Let us know what you think below."}},{"id":"IZ3Vzf-2iq","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive, and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. Share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum."}}],"version":"2.31.6"}

ESPN Releases Top-100 Player Rankings, 3 Blue Jackets Listed

NHL witnessing a decline in Stanley Cup Final viewership.