As of Monday, there are 109 days until the Columbus Blue Jackets open the 2014-15 NHL season against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y. Three months and sixteen days until they try and take the next step of making a deeper run in the playoffs. In between now and then, the wait may seem interminable to boisterous fans that were left wanting more.
The building "brick-by-brick" strategy is an ongoing process in the Arch City and time waits for no team. The Blue Jackets front office led by President of Hockey Operations John Davidson and General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, have been busy since Columbus was eliminated from the playoffs.
On May 27, the Blue Jackets announced that they had agreed on a contract extension with head coach Todd Richards through 2016-17. Richards has a .544 winning percentage with Columbus that is the best in the history of the franchise. By all accounts, it is a very solid and astute move on the part of the organization.
On June 16, they announced that associate coach Craig Hartsburg, goaltending coach Ian Clark and development coach Chris Clark all signed contract extensions through 2016-17. That same day, they also announced that former head coach of the team's AHL-affiliate Springfield Falcons, Brad Larsen, had joined Columbus as an associate coach. Both Richards and Larsen are credited with helping to adjust Ryan Johansen's focus, the result of which was a very good 2013-14 season for the rising star.
Two days later, the preseason schedule was announced with the Blue Jackets playing their first preseason games (it's a "spilt squad") on Sunday, Sept. 21 versus the St. Louis Blues and at the Carolina Hurricanes.
On Wednesday, June 25, the NHL free agent "wining and dining" period opens for clubs to talk with potential free agents. With free agency set to begin July 1, the Blue Jackets are not expected to make a big splash (think Nathan Horton signing in July 2013). That could change with the big move sending R.J. Umberger, who had requested to be traded, to Philadelphia in exchange for Scott Hartnell.
Friday, June 27, the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft takes place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. The Blue Jackets have six picks, with the possibility of a seventh, in this year's draft. They have the 16th (first round), 47th (second round), 63rd and 77th (third round), 107th (fourth round) and 197th (seventh round).
The possible seventh pick comes into play if the Anaheim Ducks decide by 7 p.m. on Friday that they are not going to use their second round pick (38th overall), which was a part of the Marian Gaborik trade to the Los Angeles Kings on March 5, 2014. If Anaheim uses the pick, Columbus would gain that second round pick in the 2015 draft, which is considered a much deeper draft class. I expect Anaheim to give the pick to the Blue Jackets prior to the start of this year's draft, which would give them five of the first 77 picks.
The annual Blue Jackets Development Camp kicks off on July 7 and runs through July 11, with on-ice practices open to the public from July 7-10. Fans will get an up-close look at this year's draftees and returning prospects such as Alex Wennberg, Kerby Rychel, Marko Dano and Oliver Bjorkstrand. While none of these players are expected to make the big club in September, there could always be the standout surprise reminiscent of Ryan Murray and Boone Jenner making the club out of training camp in 2013.
The dog days of summer roll around after that, punctuated by the annual CannonFest event, organized by fans, in August. The highlight last year was general manager Jarmo Kekalainen making a surprise appearance, where he talked to the assembled fans and signed autographs. The event has grown much since its inception in 2010. If the event last year is any indication, CannonFest V should reach new heights this summer. Who might make an appearance this year?
After that, it's just a few short weeks until the Blue Jackets welcome back the players and training camp opens in mid-September. The buzz surrounding the team has shown no signs of abating on social media sites as the fans pine for the hockey season to start. Will that buzz be louder than last summer? Heady times indeed in the land of union blue.
But getting back to the present, the FoxSportsOhio.com team will have coverage of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and the Columbus Blue Jackets selections beginning Friday evening and continuing throughout the weekend.
