The Columbus Blue Jackets welcome Mark Recchi to the coaching staff as they travel west to battle with the St. Louis Blues. Puckdrop is at 8pm from the online livestream.

Mark Recchi joins the Blue Jackets after a year off from the bench, previously being under the New Jersey Devils’ brass during the pandemic bubble years. He was also with the Penguins from 2016-2019.

Recchi won the Stanley Cup three teams as a player - with Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Boston. He also won twice as an assistant with the Penguins in their back to back years.

He also spent parts of his illustrious professional career with Montreal, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay.

His production totals were 1,652 games played at 577 goals and 956 assists for 1,533 points and 1,033 penalty minutes served. His playoff points were even more consistent at 189 games played for 61 goals and 86 assists, totaling 147 points, plus 53 minutes.

Recchs is also a part owner of the Kamloops Blazers franchise of the WHL, alongside legends Shane Doan and Jarome Ignlia.

Currently, they own one NHL prospect in Connor Levis (WPG). This may open trade relations with the Flames and Leafs given the ownership connections around the league.

Onto the Preseason

The St. Louis Blues have had quite the retooling to their roster over the summer months.

In

Kevin Hayes was acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Flyers at 50% salary retained for a 6th round. Columbus was very very close to this.

In the free agent frenzy, they signed Oskar Sundqvist, MacKenzie MacEachern, Josh Jacobs, Wyatt Kalynuk, Jermie Biakabutuka, and Malcom Subban.

Dalibor Dvorsky was selected 10th overall. Otto Stenberg joined at 25th overall; and Theo Lindstein came in at 29th.

Out

Logan Brown signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent

Dmitri Samorukov joined the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (AHL).

Thomas Greiss retired after a decade in the league. Asides the Blues, he was with Detroit, Pittsburgh, New York (Isles), and San Jose.


Tryouts

Issac Ratcliffe is on a PTO after splitting last season with Philly and Nashville.

Nick Ritchie is in after splitting with the Flames and Coyotes in a brother for brother swap

Andy Welisnki is on a tryout after splitting with the Rangers and Hawks.

The Blues are aging on their defense and goaltending, and not in the right way. They should consider their eyes on 2025. Sure Brayden Schenn will make a great captain, but the best years are behind them. Them, Arizona, and Chicago are making that division. I have them at 6th in the Central, but could slide to 7th with how well Cooley performs.

Projected Rosters

St. Louis Blues

Sammy Blais—Drew Callin—Tanner Dickinson
Kevin Hayes—Kasperi Kapanen—Mackenzie MacEachern
Nick Ritchie—Brandon Saad—Brayden Schenn
Oskar Sundqvist—Alexey Toropchenko—Jakub Vrana

Michael Buchinger—Justin Faulk
Marc-Andre Gaudet—Nick Leddy
Scott Perunovich—Marco Scandella

Jordan Binnington
Malcolm Subban.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Alexandre Texier—Cole Sillinger—Emil Bemstrom
Eric Robinson—Hunter McKown—Trey Fix-Wolnansky
Liam Foudy—Sean Kuraly—Carson Meyer
James Malatesta—Josh Dunne—Justin Pearson

Denton Mateychuk—Andrew Peeke
Samuel Knazko—Nicolas Meloche
Corson Culeumans—Nick Blankenburg

Aaron Dell
Jet Greaves

Players to Watch

St. Louis - Brayden Schenn — love the move for him as the new leader. Him and Berube go back to their Flyers days. His time to shine.

Columbus - Cole Sillinger - his time to shine is now. He needs it.

Predicted Score

STL - 2

CBJ - 3

Join the Discussion: » 3 Comments » Post New Comment

» Exactly Who Will Win - Cleveland v Syracuse

» Weekend Round Up & Marner Rumor

» Who Could Be Had at 4

» BLUE JACKETS OWN 4th OVERALL

» Updates — Playoffs and Worlds, Lotto Tom!