Blue Jackets' Big Trade Request
We also discuss free agent targets, Andrew Peeke and more!
Welcome to the THW Columbus Blue Jackets Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of CBJ writers.
In today’s edition, we’ll discuss Elvis Merzlikins, a recap of the first half of the season and look forward to the next half.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Blue Jackets News & Rumors: Merzlikins, Canucks Recap & More
January 16, 2024 by Mark Scheig
Welcome back to another week of Blue Jackets News and Rumors. There is so much going on that it managed to make a win against the NHL’s top team a secondary story.
While we will dedicate some space to discuss the win, we will start with the biggest story within Nationwide Arena. Their number-one goalie who’s had a better season and has three years left on his contract after this season has in fact requested a trade from the Blue Jackets.
Blue Jackets’ Merzlikins Clarifies He’s Asked for Trade
January 15, 2024 by Mark Scheig
Elvis Merzlikins made news when he met the media in Columbus on Friday after not playing for several games. After backstopping the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, he clarified his comments.
Merzlikins has requested a trade from the Blue Jackets.
Blue Jackets’ Left Defenseman Free Agency Targets
January 14, 2024 by Zach Martin
The 2023-24 season is not one that the Columbus Blue Jackets or their fans imagined it to be coming into the campaign. Most had them projected to finish around fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. However, that is not the case as they sit dead last.
As the eyes shift to the trade deadline that is coming up on March 8 along with the 2024 NHL Draft, is it time to figure out what the plan is for the 2024-25 season? One area that might need the most priority is the defense which contributes to giving up the second-most goals (161) in the NHL. Only the San Jose Sharks (175) have given up the most. Goaltending is another position to look at as well, but it seems that defense is something to consider in Columbus.
Blue Jackets’ Peeke Handling Tough Season with Class
January 14, 2024 by Mark Scheig
NHL players have one common theme within their DNA. That is their desire to play games. Any time a player has to sit due to injury or healthy scratch, it’s an uneasy feeling.
Imagine being in Andrew Peeke’s skates for a moment.
5 Things to Watch For With the Blue Jackets in the Second Half
January 13, 2024 by Mark Scheig
The Columbus Blue Jackets will play their 43rd game of the season on Saturday night when they host the red-hot Seattle Kraken at Nationwide Arena. Their second half is already off and running.
The playoffs are a pipe dream at this point. But there are several headlines to follow as the Blue Jackets prepare for the second half and the countdown to the trade deadline. Here are five things to watch for in the second half of the season for the team.
Blue Jackets’ Texier’s New Ceiling Could Be As Bottom-Six Forward
January 12, 2024 by Nicholas Arnold
It has been a season of growing pains for the Columbus Blue Jackets. A new head coach, a new system, and another rash of injuries gave this team a slow first half of the 2023-24 season. There have been a lot of changes in the personnel department of the forward corps as well, with a few younger players joining the team.
10 Things We Learned About the Blue Jackets in the First Half
January 12, 2024 by Mark Scheig
The Columbus Blue Jackets have already played more than half of their schedule in the 2023-24 season. With 42 games down, the team has just nine regulation wins and an overall record of 13-20-9.
Even though the Blue Jackets are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, it’s basically a foregone conclusion that this team will miss the playoffs again. With 40 games left to play, the team is playing out the string and will begin the process of evaluations for the rest of the season.