The Puck Drops Here 9.19.14

By @CLulovics

This past week the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects took part in the Traverse City tournament. The prospect tournament is a traditional tournament where the younger guys bond and gives the organization a glimpse into the future. The young Blue Jackets went 4-0 capturing the organizations third championship in history. They opened the tournament against the Minnesota Wild winning by a 6-4 score. Then went on to defeat the Detroit Red Wings (5-3) and the St. Louis Blues (7-2) before defeating the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime.

Training camp has officially opened and everyone passed their physicals except for Nathan Horton who is recovering from back issues. The shoulder issue that had sidelined him for most of last year along with other issues he had to deal with have fully recovered. Horton is expected to miss most if not all of camp and perhaps the start of the season but is expected back 100% unlike last year where he dealt with injuries.

Ryan Johansen has still not been signed as camp opened up on 9/18. The two sides are still apart after a "bridge deal" (a deal where the contract expires before the player enters RFA and is still a UFA) of 2-3 years was being discussed. After contracts of 2 years, $6 million; 6 years at $32 million and 8 years at $46 million were turned down by Johansen's agent. Things could turn ugly if a contract is not settled upon soon as with any athlete in any sport during negotiations fans/ownership/teamates start to get upset.

Preseason games began on Sunday, September 21. The Blue Jackets will play the St. Louis Blues 9/21 and the Carolina Hurricanes 9/21 in a split squad game with the Blues being at home and the Hurricanes on the road. Then they are at home against Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins on 9/23. They hit the road to take on the St. Louis on 9/25 and again on the road against the Penguins on 9/27 which can be seen on the NHL Network at 4pm. The last two preseason games are at home against the Hurricanes on 10/1 and finishing up against the Nashville Predators on 10/4 before opening up the regular season on the road against the Buffalo Sabres on 10/9 and then that Saturday the home opener on 10/11 against the New York Rangers. All regular season games can be seen on FSO Ohio.