The preseason is officially underway for the Columbus Blue Jackets today with a split squad series of games with their Metropolitan Division foe - the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pittsburgh had undergone a transformation at the top of the organization with the dismissals of Brian Burke and Ron Hextall after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Kyle Dubas is now the President and General Manager in Pittsburgh after not renewing his contract with Toronto. His right hand man, Jason Spezza had also joined Dubas.
The Penguins also has a plethora of player movement for every position.
Out
Jason Zucker signed with Arizona as a free agent.
Casey DeSmith and Jeff Petry were packaged in a multiplayer trade with a 2025 2nd round pick to Montreal.
In the same trade, Mikael Granlund and Jan Rutta were moved to San Jose with a conditional first round pick.
Brian Dummolin joined the Seattle Kraken in free agency.
Ryan Phoeling signed with Philadelphia Flyers after not being tendered to a qualifying offer.
Josh Maniscalo signed an AHL deal with Rockford.
Peter Diliberatore agreed to a tryout with Arizona.
Colin Swoyer signed with the Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears.
In
Erik Karlsson and Dillon Hamaliuk join the Penguins as the return package from San Jose. Rem Pitlick came from Montreal in the same trade.
Riley Smith was acquired from Vegas weeks after winning the cup.
Pittsburgh signed forwards Noel Accari, Lars Eller, Andreas Johnsson, Matt Nieto, Jonna Koppanean, Radim Zohorna, Marc Johnstone, Vinnie Hinostroza as free agents.
Defensemen Ryan Graves, Will Butcher, and Ryan Shea signed to term via free agency.
Goalies Alex Nedjelkovic and Magnus Hellberg agreed to short term deals.
Brayden Yager selected with first round selection.
Tryouts
Forwards - Colin White, Austin Wagner, Matthew Soto, Peter Abbandonato
Defense - Libor Hajek, Mark Pysyk, Andre Anania
Goalie - Michael Simpson
The setup of a veteran core four and lame duck coach screams either cup contention or lottery team for Pittsburgh this season, as the pressure has been doubled down on them by ownership and management that they must win now again.
With adding Karlsson to the defense with Letang, and adding a proven winner in Smith, they’re a middle team in the Metro with the Caps, Rangers, Isles, and Jackets. I have them currently finishing 3rd at the end of the season.
Projected Lineups
Pittsburgh Penguins (1pm)
Matt Nieto—Brayden Yager—Alex Nylander
Drew O’Connor—Sam Houde—Radim Zohorna
Dillon Hamaliuk—Evan Vierling—Andreas Johansson
Peter Abandonato—Matt Filipe—Marc Johnstone
Pierre-Oliver Joseph—Chad Ruhwedel
Libor Hajek—Mark Friedman
Dmitri Samorukov—Issac Belliveau
Alex Nedjelkovic
Joel Blomqvist
Columbus Blue Jackets (1pm)
Liam Foudy—Jack Roslovic—Emil Bemstrom
Eric Robinson—Cole Sillinger—Justin Danforth
Dmitri Vokornov—Hunter McKowen—James Malatesta
Mikael Pyyhita—Owen Sillinger—Stefan Matteau
Adam Boqvist—Andrew Peeke
Tim Berni—David Jiricek
Jake Christiansen—Nick Blankenburg
Aaron Dell
Jet Graves
Coach - Jared Boll
Pittsburgh Penguins (7pm)
Rem Pitlick—Colin White—Vinnie Hinostroza
Austin Wagner—Joona Kaponen—Sam Poulin
Val Puustinen—Jagger Joshua—Jonathan Gruden
Avery Hayes—Corey Andonvozki—Austin Rueschhoff
Ty Smith—Mark Pysyk
Xavier Oullett—Taylor Fedun
Ryan Shea—Jack St Ivany
Magnus Hellberg
Taylor Gauthier
Columbus Blue Jackets (7pm)
Johnny Gaudreau—Adam Fantilli—Patrik Laine
Kent Johnson—Boone Jenner—Alexandre Texier
Trey Fix-Wolansky—Brendan Gaunce—Jordan Dumais
Martin Rysavy—Luca Del Bel Belluz—Carson Meyer
Zach Werenski—Damon Severson
Stanislav Svozil—Erik Gudbranson
Denton Mateychuk—Marcus Bjork
Elvis Merzlikins
Pavel Cajan
Coach - Steve McCarthy
Players to Watch
Pittsburgh - Yager / Smith
Yager was drafted 13th overall under the new Dubas regime.
Smith is in a dire spot to make the team this season. A former Top 10 draft pick, he must crack this roster.
Columbus - Jiricek / Fantilli
The top kids are the guys with the most to gain this preseason in Ohio.
David Jiricek gets his chance to shine in Pitt first.
Adam Fantilli, maybe the best Columbus center iceman selected in the draft ever, gets his first crack with Laine as his winger. What a shot, especially in front of the faithful.
Predicated Results
With no stars for Pitt, and it being preseason, I see Columbus taking both games. In Pitt, I see a closer 4-3 OT and at home I see a 4-1
Roster Notes
Yegor Chinakov is day to day with a back strain. Things continue to cripple Chinny’s chances to blossom into the main roster. May have to start with Cleveland
Vincent held an inter-squad scrimmage yesterday, highlighted by massive fan fair and a Laine to Fantilli goal.
As first reported by the club themselves
Jakub Voráček has become a member of the coaching staff of the Kladno Knights.
His main focus is going to be the power-play.
This is his first time coaching. Best of luck Jakey!
The roster includes Jaromir Jagr, Tomas Plekanec, Jake Dotchin, and Landon Bow to name a few.
First Round of Cuts
Per Jeff Svoboda via X
#CBJ has returned forwards Luca Pinelli (Ottawa, OHL) and Tyler Peddle (Drummondville, QMJHL) to their junior squads.
Released from tryout contracts: D Nicholas DeAngelis, F Kocha Delic, D Gunner Kinniburgh, D Joe Leahy, F Sean McGurn, F Nate Schnarr, F Jakin Smallwood, F Aidan Spellacy and F Oasiz Wiesblatt
Pinelli and Peddle are going to be better for this now, but will be dynamite down the line.
Schnarr is the biggest surprise out of all this, but I hope he is getting a shot in Cleveland. I hope the same Cleveland chance is given to all the dismissed tryouts too, but Schnarr was the most notable from being part of the Hall Devils/Coyotes trade.
Closing remark - condolences to the Ducks organization and the family and friends of Nic Kerdiles.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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