The Columbus Blue Jackets conclude their first home stand of the season with their first meeting with the Calgary Flames. Puckdrop is at 7pm on Bally Sports Ohio.
Tonight is a battle of rookie coaches between Pascal Vincent and Ryan Huska. Huska is the new head coach of the Flames, replacing Daryl Sutter after this team was just shy of missing the postseason.
Calgary relatively stayed the course this summer under new management changes as they have their older core locked in, and are trying to keep their rentals around on new extensions. Forward Elias Lindholm and defenders Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadarov are all up and could move on.
In
AJ Greer was claimed off waivers from Boston just before opening night. Brady Lyle signed a two way deal after spending last year with Boston.
Jordan Oesterle signed as a free agent.
Yegor Sharangovich was acquired via trade from the New Jersey Devils.
Out
Tyler Toffoli was dealt to New Jersey after telling reporters the team did not begin negotiations on a new deal. He was willing to stay despite the Daryl stuff.
Michael Stone retired.
Matthew Phillips joined Washington.
Trevor Lewis returned to Los Angeles.
Milan Lucic returned to Boston.
Trot Stecher returned to Arizona.
Mitch Love - the AHL winningest coach the last two seasons joined Washington.
Brad Treliving - ex-GM joins Toronto.
Daryl Sutter - fired
The Flames got weaker offensively over the past two seasons with the losses of Johnny Gaudreau; Matthew Tkachuk; and Tyler Toffoli. Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar are only beginning their eight year contract extensions.
The Blue Jackets are still dealing with injury woes, but they’re all now skating. Zach Werenski returned to practice yesterday for the first time since opening night. Jordan Dumais, Liam Foudy, Mathieu Olivier, Cameron Butler, and Yegor Chinakov were also in line rushes. Elvis Merzlikins is also over his head stomach bug, which kept him out against Detroit.
Line rushes keep changing since last year’s fourth line broke up. Eric Robinson is with Cleveland. Kuraly is keeping the leadership as an alternate.
Bigger story - Patrik Laine is coming in promising this season success and hopes to back it up financially. Laine is pledging to donate money to help mens health based on his offensive production this season. Great move, greater fits, greatest man.
Projected Lineups
Calgary Flames
Jonathan Hubderdeau—Elias Lindholm—Andrew Mangipanie
Adam Ruzicka—Nazem Kadri—Dillon Dube
Blake Coleman—Mikael Backlund—Matthew Coronato
AJ Greer—Yegor Sharangovich—Walker Duehr
Noah Hanifin—Rasmus Anderson
Nikita Zadarov—Mackenzie Weegar
Dennis Gilbert—Christopher Tanev
Dan Vladar
Jacob Markstrom
Scratched -
Injured - Oliver Kylington, Kevin Rooney, Jakob Pelletier
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Kirill Marchenko
Adam Fantilli—Patrik Laine—Alexandre Texier
Kent Johnson—Cole Sillinger—Emil Bemstrom
Jack Roslovic—Sean Kuraly—Justin Danforth
Jake Bean—Erik Gudbranson
Ivan Provorov—Damon Severson
Adam Boqvist—David Jiricek
Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin
Players to Watch
Calgary - Matthew Corontao — the top prospect has arrived to the main roster for the Flames. Many great years coming for him.
Columbus - Johnny Gaudreau — the ex-Flames’ draft pick needs to get going on the scoreboard, and what better way than the old team and friends.
Predicted Final Score
CGY - 1
CBJ - 2
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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