We’re just over a month into the NHL regular season, and for some teams, the high hopes and optimism of the preseason have faded away for one reason or another. The Athletic asked its NHL staff this week for each team’s biggest concern at this point. The responses covered the full spectrum, from goaltending and … Read more
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed veteran forward Kevin Labanc to a one-year contract at the NHL minimum of $775,000, hoping to patch one of the lineup holes created by a late-training camp rash of injuries. Labanc has played 478 NHL games, all with San Jose, totaling 82-143-225. He was in training … Read more
Hearing the familiar sounds of clacking sticks and pucks banging off the boards and glass while watching Columbus Blue Jackets prospects from the stands of a cold rink on a warm late-summer afternoon was not enough to wash away the lingering residuals of grief for Don Waddell on Saturday. That, the Blue Jackets’ general manager … Read more
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did-you-knows gathered throughout the week that was for the Columbus Blue Jackets: Item No. 1: Another top prospect The Blue Jackets will have three of their minor leaguers playing in the AHL All-Star Game on Monday in San Jose, Calif. — forward Trey-Fix Wolansky, defenseman … Read more
COLUMBUS, Ohio — It had been 2 1/2 weeks since Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins played. It was a rare day game, which Merzlikins has never found comfortable. And it was the Vancouver Canucks, who had climbed atop the NHL standings with five straight road wins. But that’s not what made Merzlikins feel so … Read more
