Front & Nationwide: A show about the Columbus Blue Jackets

Front & Nationwide: A show about the Columbus Blue Jackets

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic breaks down the latest news surrounding the Columbus Blue Jackets and touches on topics from around the NHL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

July 3, 2025 50 mins

Front and Nationwide returns with a post draft and free agency update on the Columbus Blue Jackets, including why the Jackets weren't as busy as fans hoped they would be on July 1st, Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood coming into the fold via trade, how the team did at the draft, Dante Fabbro and Ivan Provorov signing extensions and what might be up GM Don Waddell's sleeve this summer.


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Dom...

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For the first time since they went “all in” at the 2019 trade deadline, the Blue Jackets are once again buyers at Friday’s NHL trade deadline. We discuss who might be joining Columbus, plus a look back at the wonderful experience that was the Stadium Series outdoor game in Ohio Stadium, and a discussion of Mathieu Olivier’s new contract.


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Domet


Hoste...

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The Blue Jackets landed 6th on Scott Wheeler’s annual NHL team prospect rankings, but they were one of the more difficult teams to rank, Wheeler joins Aaron Portzline to tell him why. Columbus General Manager Don Waddell is looking to add at the NHL trade deadline, and the Blue Jackets have injury reinforcements coming.


Host: Aaron Portzline

With: Scott Wheeler

Producer: Jeff Domet


Host...

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The Athletic's Aaron Porzline answers your questions on the resurgent Elvis Merzļikins, Hart Trophy dark horse Zach Werenski, the return of Boone Jenner, the trade deadline just 12 games away, the Four Nations Face-off and the upcoming three games in 4 nights in the South West vs the Golden Knights, Utah and the Dallas Stars.


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Domet


Hosted on Acast. ...

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Will the Blue Jackets trade Ivan Provorov by the March 7 NHL trade deadline or keep him around for a possible playoff berth?

What’s with the sudden resurgence in Elvis Merzlikins’ game and the Blue Jackets goaltending in general?

The Stanley Cup playoffs … no, really, might this be a thing for the Blue Jackets this season? The Athletic's Aaron Portzline answers your questions and comments in another edition of Front and Nationwide.

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The reviews are in for the Blue Jackets outdoor game jersey, Porty shares his thoughts and lists yours as well as Blue Jackets nation gears up for the NHL stadium series game vs Detroit at Ohio Stadium on March 1st. With the Jackets in playoff position, and the trade deadline less than two months away, Porty looks at what the Jackets may be looking to add, plus we get an injury update on Justin Danforth, Boone Jenner, Eric Gudbrans...

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On this edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline answers your questions on what the Blue Jackets might have to give up to acquire Ellias Pettersson or JT Miller from Vancouver, Dmitry Voronkov's breakout season, Sean Monahan's injury update, and Owen Sillinger's callup, replacing his injured brother Cole, in tonight's lineup. Plus, our old friend Alison Lukan joins the show to talk about her time in Columbus and her current...

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December 20, 2024 44 mins

Porty looks back on a big win by the Blue Jackets on Thursday night, as Elvis Merzļikins stole one for Columbus vs the New Jersey Devils and the Monsters win over Utica last night. Plus, Porty provides an injury update and answers your questions on Ivan Provorov, Daniil Tarasov, Dmitry Voronkov and what GM Don Waddell might have up his sleeve to improve the team leading up to the deadline.


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Dom...

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On this edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline looks back on a better effort from the Blue Jackets on Thursday night, in the 2-1 loss to the Capitals, after they got pounded Tuesday night vs the Flyers. Porty discusses Jet Greaves presence in goal for the Jackets and if he could take the starting job away from Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov, plus he gives an update on the stadium series, if Adam Fantilli's developmen...

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Porty takes your calls and questions on the surprising Blue Jackets who sit 2 points out of a wild card slot in the East, including Zach Werenski being named to Team USA at the 4-Nations Face-off in February, if the Jackets got fair value in the David Jiricek trade, if Sean Kuraly joins Ivan Provorov as a candidate to be traded, if Kent Johnson has figured it out, and why Adam Fantilli's nickname is 'hotdogs'?


Host: Aaron Portzl...

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Aaron Portzline discusses the surprising Blue Jackets who are exceeding expectations with a 500 record on Thanksgiving Eve. Aaron addresses the continued trade rumours swirling around David Jiricek and the wonderful contributions from the young core, led by Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Yegor Chinakhov, Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson. 


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Domet


Hos...

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On this week's edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline answers your questions on the Blue Jackets, including the chances of David Jiricek getting traded, the return of Kent Johnson, Porty provides an update on injured prospect Cayden Lindstrom, and discusses if Dean Evason's system is difficult for a young team to execute every night?


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Domet


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October 31, 2024 57 mins

The Blue Jackets are 5-3-1 to start the season, perhaps playing their most inspired hockey in the past two seasons, scoring goals at will and playing good defensive hockey. Aaron Portzline takes your questions and comments on the solid play of Elvis Merzļikins, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko, Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier.


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Domet


Hosted on Ac...

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On this edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline answers your questions and comments on everything Columbus Blue Jackets, including Aaron's thoughts on Ivan Provorov trade rumours, the continued development of Daniil Tarasov, Kirill Marchenko, Yegor Chinakhov and what is behind the slow start for Adam Fantelli? Plus we get an injury update on Kent Johnson, Eric Gudbranson and Dmitri Voronkov ahead to the Jackets next game v...

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October 17, 2024 58 mins

Many of the Blue Jackets’ young players are thriving, but why hasn’t defenseman David Jiricek cracked the lineup yet? And if he’s not going to play, why not send him to the AHL? This and more in this week’s edition of Front & Nationwide with Aaron Portzline.


Host: Aaron Portzline

Producer: Jeff Domet


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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October 8, 2024 55 mins
Aaron Portzline takes your questions and looks ahead to the season for the Blue Jackets with opening night Thursday in Minnesota vs the Wild. What is the ceiling for Adam Fantelli? What can we expect from Sean Monahan and Cole Sillinger? How will the Blue Jackets respond to longterm injuries to Boone Jenner and Dmitri Voronkov? Will Elvis rebound from a down season last year and how will new head coach Dean Evason set the tone this...

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Aaron Portzline discusses a busy week for the Blue Jackets who traded Patrik Laine to the Canadiens for defenseman Jordan Harris, the extension for Cole Sillinger, the strength of the Blue Jackets down the middle, if the dressing room is better off without Laine in it and if Elvis Merzļikins can bounce back from a tough year last season. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

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July 23, 2024 46 mins
Aaron Portzline discusses the hiring of new Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason, the future of the team’s coaching staff, why finalists for the job like Todd McLellan and Jay Woodcroft didn’t work out, player personnel moves, and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Aaron Portzline answers your questions on the status of the head coach search, what happened with Todd McLellan who was thought to be the front runner, if the Mike Babcock drama ruined an opportunity for Columbus to hire Joel Quenneville and the reported final two between Jay Woodcroft and Dean Evason. Porty updates the Patrik Laine saga, and the addition of Sean Monahan and Jack Johnson in free agency.

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On this pre draft edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline discusses a busy next few days for the jackets as they prepare to select number 4 in the draft, or will they trade down? Will they trade Patrik Laine before free agency? Who does Don have in his sights to sign on July 1st, and who will he hire as the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets?

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