Brian Hedger

#CBJ discussion here ->

Chinakhov? Probably, but Waddell's not going to do it just to do it. They'll make him come to camp or make him hold out etc. Nobody backs Donny into a corner etc.

I do like Reichel as a playmaker and he's still quite young, same as Chinakhov. It would be a matter of fit into the #CBJ lineup. They have a playmaker who can score goals in Kent Johnson, so where would Reichel fit into the mix?

The Blue Jackets would love Chinakhov to come into camp and actually earn a top-six role. He has top-six skills, for sure, but hasn't stayed healthy enough to let those skills make him more consistent.

Chinakhov for Reichel is an interesting swap. I think the Jackets say no unless there's a sweetener involved. Of the two, neither has really shown anything consistently at the NHL level but Chinakhov has displayed his top-end speed at good size up and down the wing plus a howitzer wrist shot.

Who floated that one? Curious because I floated that exact one privately about a week ago.

This has now been updated with a link to the full schedule, which the #CBJ just released a short while ago.

www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Columbus Blue Jackets to open 2025-26 at Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild Social media posts by team accounts show Blue Jackets open 25th season in Nashville and Minnesota before Oct. 13 home opener against the Devils.

According to NHL team social accounts, the #CBJ will open on the road again at Nashville (Oct. 9) and Minnesota (Oct. 110 before returning for their home-opener vs New Jersey (Oct. 13).

www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

#CBJ announce a slew of staff hires, including video coach, assistant video coach, head equipment manager, massage therapist, development coaches (two Donskovs) and former BGSU head coach Ty Eigner as a special assignment scout.

Believe we’re still waiting on the hiring of a new S&C coordinator.

Who is Jayson Ball? Why Ohio State has 9 fake players in new EA Sports College Football game Here's why Ohio State has a fake running back named Jayson Ball and real running back named Bo Jackson, but not that one, in EA Sports' new game.

The deluxe version of the new EA Sports College Football video game is out, and, uh, who are all these mysterious players? Who's Jayson Ball?

Find out here ->

www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Yes. All of this. And, thank you for saying it "Tim Onion." ->

Dalpe was one of the first #CBJ players I met after moving to Columbus in 2017-18. He asked a couple of us, with a grin, not to tell S&C coach Kevin "Killer" Collins he'd taken down a pint of Jeni's Brown Butter Almond Brittle the night before.

"I might kill somebody for that stuff."

#GlueGuy

Scott Powers on X: "NEW POWERS & LAZ: @BrianHedger joins me just like back in the day to discuss the Blackhawks and much more. Listen here ⤵️ https://t.co/GoIHkmnDf7" / X NEW POWERS & LAZ: @BrianHedger joins me just like back in the day to discuss the Blackhawks and much more. Listen here ⤵️ https://t.co/GoIHkmnDf7

Joined the great @scottpowers.bsky.social for a Sunday chat on #CBJ #Blackhawks and other #NHL topics ... like the old days when he and I were co-hosts of a podcast with no name ->

x.com/ByScottPower...

This is now updated with context on what re-signing Voronkov means for the #CBJ ... especially avoiding an arbitration filing in the process.

Columbus Blue Jackets re-sign forward Dmitri Voronkov Blue Jackets re-sign key forward, Voronkov, with two-year contract extension worth $8.35 million.

#CBJ and forward Dmitri Voronkov agree to a two-year extension, announcing the deal roughly two hours before the NHL's deadline for player-elected arbitration filing arrives.

This is a short synopsis. I'll add more context to it in a bit.

www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

4-0, Williams strikes again. Cleans up a juicy rebound off Pinelli’s shot at the left post.

#CBJ

Andreyanov makes a nice stop against Nicholas Sima to deny a penalty shot, keeping Navy ahead 3-0 in the second period.

#CBJ

Jack Williams, undrafted free agent signee of the #CBJ in April, makes it 3-0 Navy over white.

Second period is 4v4 play.

Williams made his NHL debut in the Jackets’ season-ending rout of the Islanders.

#CBJ prospects game … so, working.

2-0 navy blue team over white after one 15-min period.

#CBJ prospects game.

Notre Dame bound #CBJ camp invite Pano Fimis, who stuck out as a FA invite for the Jackets’ 2024 prospects tourney team in Buffalo, makes it 2-0 “navy” team.

Fimis had a standout junior career in the CHL with the Erie Otters.

Union College’s Tom Richter, son of legendary #NYR goalie Mike Richter, gets the 2025 #CBJ prospects game going with a nice goal through traffic against Melvin Strahl … a Michigan State bound goalie drafted by the Jackets in 2023.

Blue Jackets 2025 offseason: Internal growth needed Scrambling to retain Provorov and Fabbro kept the Blue Jackets' blue line intact, but was that plus a trade for 2 forwards enough for a playoff push?

Breaking down a low key offseason for the #CBJ ->

www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Waddell also said there will be room on the NHL roster for a young forward to earn a spot with a great preseason/camp or earn time during the season when injuries arise.

Luca Del Bel Belluz is the first who comes to mind, but they'll have others in the AHL too.

#CBJ

Waddell doesn't expect #CBJ to contend for a top-six winger via UFA, so you rule them out from the Ehlers chase.

Barring a trade before camp, it looks like the 2025-26 roster is done. That means they'll again lean heavy on further breakout gains from young stars plus a healthy Jenner.

I thought so too.

C Isac Lundestrom, 25, is your new #CBJ C ... two-year deal, $1.3 million per. That's a fantastic pickup.

Not sure who it is, but Don Waddell says the #CBJ will sign another center. They were talking to Danforth about returning as late as 30-40 mins before noon today, but his new two-year deal in Buffalo means the Jackets need another forward ... a center apparently.

Don Waddell, Ivan Provorov to speak via teleconference with reporters at 4 p.m.

#CBJ

Had the #CBJ not retained Provorov, I would've been cool with this deal for Perbix on the 2nd pairing, a righty etc. Not nearly as much experience as Provorov, though, or offensive upside.