The Columbus Blue Jackets have been granted exemption by the NHL for being below the salary cap floor due to the unimaginable tragedy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on August 29, 2024.
While the Blue Jackets are actively working the lines to acquire a young forward that will fit with the current mold of the organization, the club has since acquired forward James van Riemsdyk through free agency to a one year contract worth $900K USD. JvR, similar to Gaudreau, is a South Jersey guy that has stayed close to home for his family.
The young forward I continue to hear is Martin Necas. While it has died down since the draft, Waddell did have him in Carolina, and here he would have every chance possible.
The Jackets and the rest of the league will be wearing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau patches through the final home opener on October 24, 2024.
All teams have been doing tribute videos at their preseason openers to honor the fallen brothers; and former Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella had father Guy Gaudreau participate in Flyers’ practice early in the preseason to honor the family.
Preseason Round Up
All players from yesterday cleared. Nick Blankenburg (NSH) and Zac Dalpe (FLA) are on waivers that were Jackets previously.
Gavin Brindley suffered a broken finger Tuesday against St. Louis and is out 4-6 weeks.
Tonight v PIT lineup
This is the final home game of the preseason. Next time the Jackets play a game here is the home opener against the defending Stanley Cup Champions - the Florida Panthers.
CBJ
Forwards 4 Cole Sillinger 7 Sean Kuraly 10 Dmitri Voronkov 19 Adam Fantilli 21 James van Riemdsyk 23 Sean Monahan 24 Mathieu Olivier 38 Boone Jenner 59 Yegor Chinakhov 82 Mikael Pyyhtia 86 Kirill Marchenko 91 Kent Johnson
Defensemen 2 Jake Christiansen 3 Jack Johnson 8 Zach Werenski 9 Ian Provorov 55 David Jiricek 78 Damon Severson
Goaltenders 40 Daniil Tarasov 90 Elvis Merzlikins
Penguins
Roster GOALIES 31 – Filip Larsson 35 – Tristan Jarry DEFENSE 4 – Nathan Clurman 5 – Ryan Shea 7 – John Ludvig 25 – Sebastian Aho 38 – Owen Pickering 45 – Harrison Brunicke 82 – Filip Kral FORWARDS 2 – Rutger McGroarty 12 – Corey Andonovski 13 – Kevin Hayes 14 – Boko Imama 15 – Joona Koppanen 18 – Jesse Puljujarvi 22 – Sam Poulin 26 – Tristan Broz 41 – Ville Koivunen 44 – Jonathan Gruden 48 – Valtteri Puustinen 52 – Emil Bemstrom