As we are days away from the first outdoor NHL game in downtown Columbus, Ohio, the Blue Jackets’ Instagram account unveiled that veteran leaders Boone Jenner and Sean Kuraly joined head coach Dean Evason in a tour of the rink.
THERE'S ICE IN THE SHOE!!! #CBJ | #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/zqJAfB2pQ5
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 25, 2025
Kuraly on the outdoor game in Columbus:
“These are hallowed grounds in Columbus, so to be out here and playing hockey is going to be neat, and I think what makes these events so special is all the people that can get in here and fit in here. It's not a thing that can happen often in a hockey game to get this many people together.It’s going to be a big celebration of Columbus and hockey in the community that's been here for a long time, but especially since the Blue Jackets came to town 25 years now, for all of us to get together and celebrate and be proud of what we've built here and what's been done over the last 25 years with this organization in the city.…
This will be Kuraly’s third outdoor game, as he was with Boston in the Lake Tahoe outdoor game against Vegas in 2021 during COVID; and in 2019 at Notre Dame against Chicago.
Ohio Stadium, set to host more than 90,000 on Saturday when Columbus hosts Detroit for the Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series at 6pm EST on Disney+, ESPN+, and ESPN.
Steve Mayer giving Sean Kuraly the 411 on the big game Saturday. Kuraly, Boone Jenner as well as Dean Evason stopped by Ohio Stadium today. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/a6OOb0Jaeo
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) February 24, 2025
Happy Birthday 1st Johnny Gaudreau Jr
NHL fans sang happy birthday to baby Johnny Gaudreau for his 1st birthday.â¤ï¸
— BarDown (@BarDown) February 24, 2025
(via: @BlueJacketsNHL) pic.twitter.com/r0MyRIlPAK
Uncle Boone showed up to Johnny Gaudreau Jr.’s 1st birthday party as Donald Duck 🥹🫶
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) February 24, 2025
📸: maggiemasarjenner (IG) pic.twitter.com/H9eohEjRSo
Dallas tomorrow and Pride night featuring Hockey is for Everyone.
Extra Info
The final outdoor game of the season will take place March 1 when the Red Wings face the Blue Jackets at Ohio Stadium as part of the NHL Stadium Series. It is the first time Columbus will play an outdoor game and the fifth time for Detroit. It will be the 43rd outdoor game in League history and second this season. The Blues won 6-2 against the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago on December 31. Follow @zakmacbuzz
Rumors
After Ek promoted my post to the top slot over the weekend, this will be posted daily with my Twitter promotion of who may join and depart Columbus. Rumor Mill
F Brock Boeser (VAN)
CBJ, MIN
F Elias Pettersson (VAN)
BUF, CAR, DET, MIN, DAL, OTT, CBJ, BOS
F Brock Nelson (NYI)
MIN, DAL, BOS, TOR, COL, WPG, CBJ, WSH,
F Brandon Tanev (SEA)
TOR, WSH, NYR, VGK, OTT, CBJ,
F Gustav Nyquist (NSH) per Michael DeRosa
CBJ, NYR, OTT, CAR, FLA, COL
F Dylan Cozens (BUF)
Per Josh Erickson of ProHockeyRumors and Spencer Lazary of THN — CBJ
CGY, PHI, VAN
F Rickard Rakkell (PIT)
CBJ
G James Reimer (BUF)
CBJ
G Vitek Vanecek (SJS)
CBJ
D Noah Dobson (NYI)
Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)
DET, MTL, VAN,
F Casey Mittlestadt (COL)
Per Jason Newland THN - CBJ
BOS, CGY, WPG
F Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA)
Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)
UTH, VAN
D Jamie Oleskiak (SEA)
Per NHL Trade Talk Trade Board
CBJ, DAL, TOR
F Nick Robertson (TOR)
CBJ, SEA, UTH
Leaving Columbus?
2025 1 st Rd (BOTH)
Only for player with term
D Ivan Provorov
FLA, TBL, WSH, OTT, EDM, PIT, SEA, VAN, DAL
F Mathieu Olivier
DAL