The Hockey News Sunday Recap: Columbus Blue Jackets

Did you miss anything from the past week at The Hockey News - Columbus Blue Jackets? If you did, we have you covered with the Sunday Recap. Click on each card below to read the stories from the past week.

From Ex-players to current players and everything in between, we've got you covered.

Trey Fix-Wolansky - TFW is generally considered the greatest player in Monsters' history. He leads the Monsters franchise with 112 goals, 147 assists, and 259 points. Defenseman Jake Christiansen is the only active player close enough to catch TFW, but he was in Columbus last season, and most likely this season, so Fix-Wolansky's records are safe.

64 Days Until Opening Night At Nationwide ArenaThere have only been two players wear the #64 for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Unfortunately for Columbus, neither one of them made a significant impact for Columbus. Cleveland is a different story, however.

The duo’s swift rise brought envy from the entire league. And yet it was in each other that Jones and Werenski found their biggest fan. Jones couldn’t help himself during one game last season, late in the third period against Washington, when he watched Werenski skate down the left side from the point and rip a puck through traffic to tie the score. “That,” Jones said, “was eye-opening. It couldn’t have been a much more perfect shot.”

From The Archive: Blood Brothers The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

Joonas Korpisalo - But for CBJ fans, it was watching Joonas Korpisalo that made it the most exciting. The young Finnish goalie would take the loss, but would set an NHL playoff record for most saves in a game with 85 saves. That record still stands today.

The Lightning pumped 88 shots at Korpisalo, which included 12 or more shots in 6 of the periods, and 14 shots in four of the periods. The Lightning were trying their hardest to bury the Blue Jackets all game, but Korpisalo just wouldn't let it happen.

On This Date In 2020: Joonas Korpisalo Makes HistoryOn August 11, 2020 the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning started their first round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans of the CBJ were hoping that the Jackets could pull off another huge upset against the Lightning.

While it would be hard to move his contract, he has shown that he can be a very good goalie. However, it seems that his time is quickly running out with the Blue Jackets. With the emergence of Jet Greaves as the future starter for the organization, it could be wise for general manager Don Waddell to move on from Merzlikins.

Blue Jackets' Biggest Trade Chips: Elvis MerzlikinsWelcome to another edition of Columbus Blue Jackets' Biggest Trade Chips. In the first two editions, we looked at Yegor Chinakhov and Dmitri Voronkov, and now we are going to look at goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who very well could be their last big trade target on the roster.

Johnson spent last season with the Jackets and played 41 games. He had a total of six points, all of which were assists.

He has played in 1,228 games and posted 342 points, including 486 games for Columbus, where he had 160 points.

Former Jackets Defenseman Signs PTO With Minnesota WildFormer CBJ defenseman Jack Johnson has signed a PTO with the Minnesota Wild, the club announced.

With 62 days left before the Jackets take the ice again at Nationwide Arena, there is a lot of positivity surrounding the team. Don Waddell signed who he had to sign in the offseason to put the team in a good position going forward. People wanted a few things, including huge free agents and big trades, but many forget that he has to sign some very important players soon, including Adam Fantilli and Jet Greaves. Not to mention Kirill Marchenko, Kent Johnson, and Dmitri Voronkov may need new deals in 2027.

62 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #62The Columbus Blue Jackets have only had four players wear #62 in their history, and in a weird twist, three of them have been since 2023. They haven't had any real impact players where the number in their short 25-year history, but that could change one day.

Yes, that's right, comedian Matt Rife hosted a show at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Saturday and was seen sporting a Rick Nash #61 jersey. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering he is an Ohio native who grew up a big fan of the team.

Matt Rife Wears Blue Jackets Jersey At Hometown Comedy ShowWe are so deep in the dog days of the NHL off-season that the only real news regarding the Columbus Blue Jackets is that a celebrity was spotted proudly wearing a Blue Jackets jersey.

Johnson played for Cleveland the 2021-22 season. He played in 20 games and had a 6-9-4 record with a SV% of .882. Johnson, from Flint, Michigan was undrafted and has yet to make his NHL Debut.

Former Monsters Goalie Signs With Springfield Of AHLPer Tony Andockitis, former Monsters goalie Cam Johnson is signing with the AHLs Springfield Thunderbirds.

I remember watching Rick Nash get drafted 1st overall in 2002. GM Doug MacLean made a bold move and traded up to get the big winger from the London Knights of the OHL. I was young and ecstatic about this trade.

61 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: Rick NashThe Jackets have only had one player wear the #61. No one else will wear it.

Gallant, 61, has spent time with the Blue Jackets as both an assistant coach and head coach, as well as with the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens as an assistant. He served as the bench boss for the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, and New York Rangers, up until 2022-23 when he was fired and his time in the NHL appeared to be over.

Former Blue Jackets' Bench Boss Lands New Gig Overseas Columbus Blue Jackets' former head coach Gerard Gallant has landed a new coaching job. It was announced earlier today that he will be heading overseas to Russia to coach the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL.

GM Don Waddell said in a press release: "Mikael Pyyhtiä is a highly competitive player that brings high-end speed, reliable two-way play and a strong work ethic to a lineup," said Waddell. "We look forward to see his continued growth with the Blue Jackets organization.”

Blue Jackets Sign Mikael Pyyhtia To An ExtensionColumbus has announced the signing of forward Mikael Pyyhtiä to a one-year, two-way contract today. The contract is for $775,000 on the NHL side, and $100,000 on the AHL level.

You’re probably in no mood to read this right now, but this is as good a time as any. It’s your 32-year-old self here, and in case your head is too scrambled to figure out, it’s 2015. Hey, and guess what, you’re playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets these days. They’re the guys who came into the league as an expansion team a couple months ago.

From The THN Archive: Scott Hartnell - Letter To My Rookie SelfThe Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

Hunt, 23, is a left-handed defenceman that Columbus acquired from the Minnesota Wild as part of the David Jiricek trade last season. His previous salary from last year was $828,333 over a three-year term. If he does sign with the Blue Jackets, his salary will likely be similar to Pyyhtiä’s, which is $775,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the AHL level.

Blue Jackets’ Last Remaining RFA: Daemon HuntWith the Columbus Blue Jackets reaching an agreement with Mikael Pyyhtiä on a one-year, two-way contract yesterday, there is just one remaining restricted free agent (RFA) they need to re-sign, and that is Daemon Hunt.

Later in 2023, there were rumors that he was "unhappy" in Columbus and may want out. His agent, Shumi Babaev, told THN Columbus that, "At the moment, there are no conversations about a trade on our part. He likes Columbus, both the team and the city." He went to tell us that "We are in touch with the General Manager (Jarmo), the only thing Yegor wants is to have more ice time, feel the coach's trust, and help the team win more games. He's very happy after yesterday's game. Felt great on the new line."

59 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The Yegor Chinakhov SagaThe Columbus Blue Jackets have 59 days until the home opener at Nationwide Arena. Today, we talk about Yegor Chinakhov and the drama that surrounds him.

“Daemon Hunt is a good, young two-way defenseman that plays a smart and controlled game,” said Waddell in a press release. “His signing provides us important additional organizational depth on our blue line.”

The Blue Jackets Sign Final RFAThe Columbus Blue Jackets have announced the signing of Daemon Hunt, the final RFA the Blue Jackets had to sign.

Blue Jackets Announce Theme Nights For 25th Anniversary SeasonThe Columbus Blue Jackets are heading into their 25th anniversary season, and the organization is ready to roll out a full slate of events to celebrate with fans.