September 30, 2025 • 8 mins
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic previews this new Bluejackets team. Injury and extraordinary has plagued this team. Can they finally catch a break?
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Blue Jackets in the middle of their preseason and
the the openers on the road at Nashville on the
ninth of October. Last year, the Jackets improved by twenty
three points over their twenty twenty three to twenty four campaign.
They really pushed for a playoff spot, missed out by
just a couple of points. So the question now is
(00:21):
can the Columbus Blue Jackets take their next step go
from a bubble team essentially to a legit postseason contender.
Let's bring on our expert on the Legacy Retirement Group
dot com phone line. It's Aaron ports Line from the
Athletic Porty. Good morning, how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yeah, good morning, gentlemen, how are you.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Great to hear your voice. Here we go. Hockey season
is upon us. So that's the question, Aaron, is can
the Jackets go from you know, barely missing the playoffs
to not just getting in, but maybe maybe a mid
maybe a mid tier playoff team.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, we are getting maybe a bit over maybe by
predicting a mid the Eastern Conference, I think is possible.
I mean, I think the metro that the division they're
in is a little bit murky once you get past
the second box. I certainly think the Blue Jackets can
(01:15):
work their way in there. You just assume, don't you,
that the young players are going to be continuing to
get better. That doesn't always go in a straight line.
But they've got some really really talented young players, not
just guys you hope are going to produce, the guys
who have produced. It's not just a pipe dream. Now
(01:36):
they've got thirty one goal scorers Marchenko and Vantilly, and
then add to that, they've got a really impressive group
of forwards. So it's all right there. The couctions remain.
Can they keep the puck out of their net? We
know they can put it in the net on the
other end, and they keep it out of their own net.
Is their goaltending good enough? Conject Gleaves take over that
(01:59):
position and he pushed Elvis mursleaks and both of them
can improve and give them better goaltending and the defense
round out. So there's still question marks, but there's a
lot of optimism in Columbus and a lot of reasons
to believe that the team can yes be a playoff team.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
And they you said it, they could score I mean
they averaged just over three goals a game. They were
tied for seventh in the NHL, but they could not
keep the puck out of the net. As you say,
so get into Elvis and jet and I got to
tell you the big man, Fidotov. I saw him in
a couple of preseason games. I mean, he'll largely be
(02:35):
playing in Cleveland this season, but he didn't look too
bad either.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
No, that was a real relief for them because they
have been spending the summer looking for a goaltender that
could be their guy in Cleveland. The anchored come up
in the event of an injury in the NHL, and
he has struggled mightily at the NHL level. Has never
played in the American Hockey League. Fedotap that is, and
(03:02):
there's reasons to believe that we have not seen his
true self in the NHL. But to the two guys
in Columbus, I think Jeck Greaves is probably the first
goalie here in town in three years that's going to
be given a chance to really push Mrs Lincoln for
playing time. There's a challenge there now. I think there
(03:23):
are people within the organization that are ready for Grieves
to ascend. Nobody wants to say that just yet is
why I add pressure to the young man. But what
a great story. He is undrafted, joined them in rookie
camp in Traverse City years ago as an invitation player,
worked out a deal, played in the Miners, has played
(03:44):
in the Miners for four seasons now, and everything they
put in front of Jeck Greaves, he has not only
gobbled up but excel at. He is beloved in the
Cleveland dressing room. The guys here in Columbus have a
ton of respect for him. I think there's a strong
chance that Jack Grief becomes the number one at some
point the season. Could even be the opening night starter
(04:07):
October ninth in Nashville.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Yeah. Absolutely a storyline worth following Aaron Ports line from
the athletic on the Blue Jackets, and you know, talk
about the coaching staff too. You put last year behind you.
Last year of course, in the shadow of the Gaudreau tragedy,
and you know, nobody really expected much from the Jackets.
They outperformed, as I mentioned in the open. But now
you've got coach Dean Edison entering his second full season
(04:31):
as head coach, so you do have that stability behind
the bench. Players now understand the system. And I think
the system that was employed last year really was a
lot to credit for the success. However you measured that
from last season. Now you've got a year under your
belt for coach Everson talk about the strategy, the tactics
and the buy in from the team.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yeah, well the first time in four years that they've
had the same coach from one year to the next. Right, Wow?
Is that is that? That's crazy? That's Cleveland Brown's like disruption,
you know. And just to have so the players know
Dean Evison. I think that's just as important as Dean
Everson knowing the players that goes for the GM Downaldell
(05:15):
as well, they know what they have. Yes, last year
was such a educational season for the GM and the coach.
Just what who are these young players? What? What do
the blue Jackets have to work with? And I yes,
they're all on the same page now. One of the
really cool things that Everson has mentioned a couple of
(05:36):
times this season is he'll see or his assistant coaches
will see a player with a with with a not
great read in the game or not following a practice
drill appropriately, and they'll start to make their way over
on the ice to speak with the player or down
the bench to say, hey, listen on that read, and
(05:58):
before they can get there, the veteran player addressing it
not forcefully, not competationally, but just in a teaching way.
Love it. That's when you know that the room and
the coaching staff is on the same frequency and they're
seeing that. That's also the benefit of having a room
(06:19):
full of players. The Monahan, the Jenners, the good Brands
and Wrensky. There are some really Charlie Coyle has come
into the dressing room really responsible, revered, even veteran player
in this league. Charlie Colil never missed the playoffs thirteen years. Wow,
longest streak in the league. Those are the guys you
(06:41):
want in your dressing room, and the Blue Jackets finally
have them in abundance.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
I'm glad you brought up Charlie Coyle, you know, veteran
center probably going to be on I would guess if
we can geek out for a minute and talk about
possible line combinations. Would imagine he'll be on maybe the
third line with China Cooff and Cylinger. It would be
my guy. But would you expect the top line for
the Jackets Aaron to be Monahan between varon Koff and Marchenko.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
I would yeah, I think that's what they showed yesterday
in practice. They're starting to ramp up towards the season
now where they've got their group, I think that's it.
But one thing that I think the underlying strength of
this team, the back end, the goaltending, as you mentioned,
are still a work in progress. Their center depth, which
is the most important part of any forward group, is
(07:31):
as strong now as it has ever been. Coyle is
the third line center, Monahan is the first line center
for now. Adam Vantilli is probably going to get there
before a lot of people realize it. But yes, I
would think it's veron Kovs and Marchenko with Manihan. That
worked very well last year, but things don't always work
(07:52):
one year to the next. The good thing is they've
got options here right now. The second line has Jenner,
the captain, Boone Jenner on the side of Antilly with
Ken Johnson on the other. I could absolutely see interchangeable
wingers throughout the top six, certainly even the top nine.
Tinakov strangely has been sort of the extra guy on
(08:14):
the fourth line. He's not pleased about it. Had no
comment yesterday. We'll see where that goes. He has top
six abilities, there's no question, but there's a lot of
flexibility for Dean Edison and his staff to move wingers
around those centers, and what a benefit it is to
have that depth down the middle.
The Blue Jackets in the middle of their preseason and
the the openers on the road at Nashville on the
ninth of October. Last year, the Jackets improved by twenty
three points over their twenty twenty three to twenty four campaign.
They really pushed for a playoff spot, missed out by
just a couple of points. So the question now is
(00:21):
can the Columbus Blue Jackets take their next step go
from a bubble team essentially to a legit postseason contender.
Let's bring on our expert on the Legacy Retirement Group
dot com phone line. It's Aaron ports Line from the
Athletic Porty. Good morning, how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yeah, good morning, gentlemen, how are you.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Great to hear your voice. Here we go. Hockey season
is upon us. So that's the question, Aaron, is can
the Jackets go from you know, barely missing the playoffs
to not just getting in, but maybe maybe a mid
maybe a mid tier playoff team.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, we are getting maybe a bit over maybe by
predicting a mid the Eastern Conference, I think is possible.
I mean, I think the metro that the division they're
in is a little bit murky once you get past
the second box. I certainly think the Blue Jackets can
(01:15):
work their way in there. You just assume, don't you,
that the young players are going to be continuing to
get better. That doesn't always go in a straight line.
But they've got some really really talented young players, not
just guys you hope are going to produce, the guys
who have produced. It's not just a pipe dream. Now
(01:36):
they've got thirty one goal scorers Marchenko and Vantilly, and
then add to that, they've got a really impressive group
of forwards. So it's all right there. The couctions remain.
Can they keep the puck out of their net? We
know they can put it in the net on the
other end, and they keep it out of their own net.
Is their goaltending good enough? Conject Gleaves take over that
(01:59):
position and he pushed Elvis mursleaks and both of them
can improve and give them better goaltending and the defense
round out. So there's still question marks, but there's a
lot of optimism in Columbus and a lot of reasons
to believe that the team can yes be a playoff team.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
And they you said it, they could score I mean
they averaged just over three goals a game. They were
tied for seventh in the NHL, but they could not
keep the puck out of the net. As you say,
so get into Elvis and jet and I got to
tell you the big man, Fidotov. I saw him in
a couple of preseason games. I mean, he'll largely be
(02:35):
playing in Cleveland this season, but he didn't look too
bad either.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
No, that was a real relief for them because they
have been spending the summer looking for a goaltender that
could be their guy in Cleveland. The anchored come up
in the event of an injury in the NHL, and
he has struggled mightily at the NHL level. Has never
played in the American Hockey League. Fedotap that is, and
(03:02):
there's reasons to believe that we have not seen his
true self in the NHL. But to the two guys
in Columbus, I think Jeck Greaves is probably the first
goalie here in town in three years that's going to
be given a chance to really push Mrs Lincoln for
playing time. There's a challenge there now. I think there
(03:23):
are people within the organization that are ready for Grieves
to ascend. Nobody wants to say that just yet is
why I add pressure to the young man. But what
a great story. He is undrafted, joined them in rookie
camp in Traverse City years ago as an invitation player,
worked out a deal, played in the Miners, has played
(03:44):
in the Miners for four seasons now, and everything they
put in front of Jeck Greaves, he has not only
gobbled up but excel at. He is beloved in the
Cleveland dressing room. The guys here in Columbus have a
ton of respect for him. I think there's a strong
chance that Jack Grief becomes the number one at some
point the season. Could even be the opening night starter
(04:07):
October ninth in Nashville.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Yeah. Absolutely a storyline worth following Aaron Ports line from
the athletic on the Blue Jackets, and you know, talk
about the coaching staff too. You put last year behind you.
Last year of course, in the shadow of the Gaudreau tragedy,
and you know, nobody really expected much from the Jackets.
They outperformed, as I mentioned in the open. But now
you've got coach Dean Edison entering his second full season
(04:31):
as head coach, so you do have that stability behind
the bench. Players now understand the system. And I think
the system that was employed last year really was a
lot to credit for the success. However you measured that
from last season. Now you've got a year under your
belt for coach Everson talk about the strategy, the tactics
and the buy in from the team.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yeah, well the first time in four years that they've
had the same coach from one year to the next. Right, Wow?
Is that is that? That's crazy? That's Cleveland Brown's like disruption,
you know. And just to have so the players know
Dean Evison. I think that's just as important as Dean
Everson knowing the players that goes for the GM Downaldell
(05:15):
as well, they know what they have. Yes, last year
was such a educational season for the GM and the coach.
Just what who are these young players? What? What do
the blue Jackets have to work with? And I yes,
they're all on the same page now. One of the
really cool things that Everson has mentioned a couple of
(05:36):
times this season is he'll see or his assistant coaches
will see a player with a with with a not
great read in the game or not following a practice
drill appropriately, and they'll start to make their way over
on the ice to speak with the player or down
the bench to say, hey, listen on that read, and
(05:58):
before they can get there, the veteran player addressing it
not forcefully, not competationally, but just in a teaching way.
Love it. That's when you know that the room and
the coaching staff is on the same frequency and they're
seeing that. That's also the benefit of having a room
(06:19):
full of players. The Monahan, the Jenners, the good Brands
and Wrensky. There are some really Charlie Coyle has come
into the dressing room really responsible, revered, even veteran player
in this league. Charlie Colil never missed the playoffs thirteen years. Wow,
longest streak in the league. Those are the guys you
(06:41):
want in your dressing room, and the Blue Jackets finally
have them in abundance.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
I'm glad you brought up Charlie Coyle, you know, veteran
center probably going to be on I would guess if
we can geek out for a minute and talk about
possible line combinations. Would imagine he'll be on maybe the
third line with China Cooff and Cylinger. It would be
my guy. But would you expect the top line for
the Jackets Aaron to be Monahan between varon Koff and Marchenko.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
I would yeah, I think that's what they showed yesterday
in practice. They're starting to ramp up towards the season
now where they've got their group, I think that's it.
But one thing that I think the underlying strength of
this team, the back end, the goaltending, as you mentioned,
are still a work in progress. Their center depth, which
is the most important part of any forward group, is
(07:31):
as strong now as it has ever been. Coyle is
the third line center, Monahan is the first line center
for now. Adam Vantilli is probably going to get there
before a lot of people realize it. But yes, I
would think it's veron Kovs and Marchenko with Manihan. That
worked very well last year, but things don't always work
(07:52):
one year to the next. The good thing is they've
got options here right now. The second line has Jenner,
the captain, Boone Jenner on the side of Antilly with
Ken Johnson on the other. I could absolutely see interchangeable
wingers throughout the top six, certainly even the top nine.
Tinakov strangely has been sort of the extra guy on
(08:14):
the fourth line. He's not pleased about it. Had no
comment yesterday. We'll see where that goes. He has top
six abilities, there's no question, but there's a lot of
flexibility for Dean Edison and his staff to move wingers
around those centers, and what a benefit it is to
have that depth down the middle.
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