COLUMBUS, Ohio — A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did-you-knows gathered throughout the week that was for the Columbus Blue Jackets:
Item No. 1: The outdoorsman
James van Riemsdyk insists he didn’t have an ulterior motive when he signed a free-agent contract with the Blue Jackets late last summer. GM Don Waddell laughed when asked if the big event coming on Saturday impacted his decision to sign van Riemsdyk.
But van Riemsdyk seems magnetically drawn to the NHL’s outdoor games. On Saturday, when the Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings in the Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium, van Riemsdyk will be playing in his eighth outdoor game, more than any other NHL player.
“A lot of dumb luck in that,” van Riemsdyk told The Athletic this week. “Maybe more than anything, it’s playing in two of the bigger markets (Toronto and Philadelphia) because it’s the big markets that tend to get these games.
“It’s a cool thing. Kinda random. But it’s something really cool to look back on when I’m done playing.”
Van Riemsdyk, who has 3-3-6 in seven roofless games, has played in some legendary venues: Boston’s Fenway Park, the University of Michigan’s Michigan Stadium, the U.S. Navy’s Memorial Stadium and even at a resort in Lake Tahoe.
After Saturday’s game in the iconic home for Ohio State football, van Riemsdyk will have a two-game lead on some of the NHL’s most famous players: Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Evgeni Malkin, Brandon Saad, Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews, who have played six games each.
He’s learned a few things along the way, too, he said. For instance …
• Football stadiums are better than baseball stadiums. “The shape of the layout makes the atmosphere, and the layout is better in football stadiums.”
• It’s wise for players to put somebody else in charge of tickets, lodging, etc. because family and friends tend to flock to these events. “You can get totally overwhelmed.”
• It’s “way more fun if you win.”
Van Riemsdyk said the outdoor practice the day before the game is key to getting acclimated to the surroundings and the temperature. The fact Saturday’s game is set for puck drop at 6:30 p.m. will help players immensely, he said, “because the sun can be tough to navigate.”
The Athletic spent a few minutes last week with van Riemsdyk, jarring his memory for each of the outdoor games he’s played.
Jan. 1, 2010, Winter Classic
Flyers vs. Bruins
Summary: Van Riemsdyk was a rookie with the Flyers when the NHL’s third Winter Classic was staged at the home of MLB’s Boston Red Sox. He had no points and played 12:47 in the Flyers’ 2-1 loss to the Bruins.
In his words: “It was my first season, so everything was exciting and new, everything was great. I was trying to establish myself, just hoping I could stick around for that game and be up the whole year. I had a lot of buddies who were in college around Boston and they all came to the game. Stepping into Fenway … it was almost like a religious place. That seems like forever ago now.”
Jan. 2, 2012, Winter Classic
Rangers vs. Flyers
Summary: He missed almost half the season with injury, but van Riemsdyk played in the Flyers’ second outdoor game, a 3-2 loss at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. He was scoreless and had a minus-1 rating in 13:28 of ice time.
In his words: “Being in Philly and knowing how Philly loves their teams, there was a great energy to it. That was a blast. That was played during the day, and I think the game was delayed a bit with weather stuff.”
James van Riemsdyk controls the puck in front of Tomas Tatar during the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Jan. 1, 2014, Winter Classic
Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings
Summary: Now playing for Toronto, this was one of the best days of van Riemsdyk’s career. (He’ll explain.) He scored a goal, had a plus-1 rating, played 19:14 and had an unsuccessful shootout attempt in the Leafs’ 3-2 shootout win. It was staged at the “Big House,” Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., home to college football’s Michigan Wolverines.
In his words: “I found out I made the (U.S.) Olympic team during the practice the day before the game. They were going to announce it after the game, but I got the heads up from one of the media guys. That was a big goal for me, so I was so happy. Then I had my first goal in an outdoor game — I whacked at it, it went up in the air and I batted it out of the air — and we won for the first time. So, yeah, big game.”
Jan. 1, 2017, Centennial Classic
Red Wings vs. Maple Leafs
Summary: A rematch of the Winter Classic three years earlier. Van Riemsdyk had an assist and an even rating and played 14:01 in the Leafs’ 5-4 overtime win at BMO Field in Exhibition Place, home to the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and MLS’s Toronto FC.
In his words: “It being in Toronto, with all of the support around there, it was amazing. There were a lot of Leafs legends around. I wore the same number (21) as Borje Salming, and when his number was retired, I switched to 25. But it was cool to have a moment to chat with him. Obviously, he was a great player and a really important player in this game. He was a super gracious guy, too.”
March 3, 2018, Stadium Series
Maple Leafs vs. Capitals
Summary: The game, a 5-2 win by Washington, was played at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in the stadium (Navy Corps Memorial Stadium) that typically houses the Midshipmen during college football season. “Anchors Aweigh” blared throughout.
In his words: “That was a very intimate setting. That was cool. The town itself was pretty neat. That’s honestly my best memory from that. We got smacked around pretty good.”
Feb. 23, 2019, Stadium Series
Penguins vs. Flyers
Summary: Down 3-1 with barely three minutes remaining, van Riemsdyk scored a power-play goal that started a comeback and led the Flyers past the rival Penguins 4-3 in overtime.
In his words: “That whole year was a frustrating year in general, both for the team and individually. Things just didn’t feel like a good fit, and there were some frustrations for me coming into that game. There was a picture of me having an animated discussion with (coach Peter Laviolette) at the practice a day before the game, so I knew I needed to have a good response and play well. It was a wild game. (Travis) Konecny was going after (Evgeni) Malkin. Wayne Simmonds plastered somebody. There was no love lost, and that added a cool element to it.”
Feb. 21, 2021, NHL Outdoors
Flyers vs. Bruins
Summary: This was van Riemsdyk’s best outdoor game to date. He had a goal and two assists, playing a role in all three of the Flyers’ goals in a 7-3 loss to Boston. The game was played at the pricey and picturesque Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nev.
In his words: “I just remember (laughs) how long it took us to get there. We had a long bus ride from the airport. There were no fans there (because of COVID-19). It was a pretty cool atmosphere, a beautiful setting. I remember us going for a plunge in the water (after practice). It was like taking an ice bath. We got smacked in the game, though. It really wasn’t much of a game.”
Item No. 2: “John-ny Hock-ey!”
There were two moments late last week in which the hockey world showed the best of itself, not only remembering former Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau but also celebrating his legacy.
On Thursday in Boston, during the 4 Nations Face-Off final between the U.S. and Canada, fans in TD Garden let loose with chats of “John-ny Hock-ey!” They were especially loud in the third period when the two nations were playing their way toward overtime.
“He would have been on that team, in my opinion,” Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner said. “There were so many moments when I was thinking about him (during that game), and that just really made it special. You think about him and his family a lot in moments like that.”
Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason, a proud Canadian, said it gave him chills.
“From (USA hockey legend) Mike Eruzione wearing the Gaudreau jersey (for the ceremonial puck drop) and the crowd … we all got a little choked up, at least I did sitting on my couch,” Evason said. “I think other people did, too. Johnny didn’t just affect Americans or just hockey people. He had a presence in the world, right? We certainly saw that (on Thursday).”
Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, continues to call Columbus home, and Blue Jackets players have continued to keep her close. There are frequent visits on off days and after practice, especially from Sean Monahan, who has routinely brought his kids down the street so the families can hang out. (Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said Meredith and the family will be part of Saturday’s outdoor game, too.)
That leads us to a beautiful moment during Saturday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, which Meredith and the two kids attended with other family members. They sat in the lower bowl, surrounded by Blue Jackets fans.
And were they ever surrounded. It was Johnny Gaudreau Jr.’s first birthday, and a sold-out crowd in Nationwide Arena serenaded the little guy with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Join us in wishing a very special boy a very special 1st birthday!
Happy birthday, Baby Johnny ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nKYaKq94V1
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 23, 2025
Item No. 3: Werenski’s big stage
The global hockey world had a two-week look at what Columbus fans have seen all season: Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski was his silky-smooth self for the United States, totaling 0-6-6 in four games and leading the tournament in points.
While Werenski was starring on the big stage, his Blue Jackets coaches and teammates were watching intently throughout the break. Even those from Canada, who lost to the U.S. in the preliminary round before beating them in the title game, were cheering for Werenski.
“Watching him play in that setting and at that level,” Evason said. “It was just what we’ve seen from him here all season. I was watching from home, but it was honestly like standing on the bench (in Nationwide Arena) watching him.”
Werenski was beyond excited to represent the U.S. and over the moon to be playing in the NHL’s first best-on-best tournament in almost a decade. But he acknowledged that it was also an opportunity to elevate his status on a bigger stage than he gets playing for the Blue Jackets.
No question, Werenski is anticipated by most to be a finalist for the Norris Trophy, given to the NHL’s top defenseman.
“It was great to see ‘Z’ play like he played in that really intense setting,” Jenner said. “I think he’s the best defenseman in the league, and he showed that.”
Werenski said Thursday’s final vs. Canada was “the most fun hockey game I’ve ever played in,” and the whole experience seemed to be more than he could have even expected. But he never lost contact with his Columbus teammates during the almost two weeks away.
“We’re a close group in here,” Werenski said. “I talked to quite a few guys throughout the tournament, and I always got the sense that guys were rooting for me. I understand country pride, and guys are going to root for where they’re from, but it was nice to have the support.
“That’s really all I care about, the guys in (this dressing room) and this organization. I wanted to win for the U.S., of course, but at the same time, I wanted to make this team proud and show what guys from Columbus can do. I think I did that.”
Item No. 4: Snacks
• Perhaps this section of the weekly notes should be called “Zachs” instead of “Snacks.” After Saturday’s three-point game, Werenski has 18-44-62 in 56 games, putting him on pace for 90 points, which would top Artemi Panarin’s franchise mark of 87 points in a season. However, another franchise mark is much more in the crosshairs for Werenski: His two assists on Saturday put him at 256 in his career, leaving him only two short of matching Rick Nash’s franchise record with the Blue Jackets.
• And then there’s this: Werenski has now scored at least a point in 22 straight home games, the third-longest point streak by a defenseman in NHL history. Only Bobby Orr (25 games in 1974-75) and Paul Coffey (23 games in 1985-86) have had longer strings. If he keeps going — the Jackets host Dallas on Tuesday, then play in Detroit on Thursday — he would match Orr’s record in Saturday’s outdoor game. (Yes, we checked with the NHL: That will count as a CBJ home game.) During that point streak, Werenski has 14-27-41 and a plus-23 rating.
• Jenner understandably drew a large media contingent on Saturday morning toward his locker stall after it was confirmed he was set to make his season debut later that night against the Blackhawks. And quietly, on two other sides of the dressing room, were more positive signs. Monahan, who has been out since suffering a wrist injury on Jan. 7, was peeling off his gear following his latest solo skate. And veteran defenseman Erik Gudbranson was drenched in sweat after joining the Jackets for an optional morning skate, his first full wheel with his teammates. Timelines are not clear yet for Monahan or Gudbranson, but these are big steps forward.
• Nothing new to report on Yegor Chinakhov, who has been out since late November with a back injury. He hasn’t skated since the Blue Jackets returned from the long layoff on Wednesday.
GO DEEPER
Blackhawks’ Seth Jones seeking trade to play ‘meaningful’ games
• It was reported in Chicago this week that defenseman Seth Jones and the Blackhawks were “exploring trade possibilities” midway through Jones’ fourth season in Chicago. He was traded there, of course, by the Blue Jackets in the summer of 2021 when Jones made it clear with then-GM Jarmo Kekäläinen that he was unlikely to sign an extension with the Jackets when his contract expired a year later. Jones thought two of his main objectives — playing for a winning franchise and playing in a major market — would be realized in Chicago, but it hasn’t been a happy marriage. So what now? The Blue Jackets have massive cap room — Jones has five years remaining at $9.5 million — and Jones and Werenski have remained extremely close after spending most of five seasons together as one of the NHL’s top pairs. It’s a move that could make sense, especially if Chicago is willing to eat a portion of Jones’ salary.
• Here’s Werenski on the topic Saturday: “Obviously, I’d be open to it. I loved playing with him. He’s probably my best friend in hockey. Whatever he’s dealing with there (in Chicago), I hope it works out.” Werenski and Jones had dinner together in Columbus on Friday, Werenski said.
GO DEEPER
Seth Jones trade watch: Tiering potential destinations for the Blackhawks’ defenseman
• Winger Joe LaBate, a surprise recall from AHL Cleveland on Friday, made his Columbus debut on Saturday against Chicago. It was his first NHL game since he dressed for Vancouver on March 28, 2017. “I was super emotional (when I got the call),” LaBate said. “It was incredible. It’s been a long journey. That’s probably the best phone call I’ve ever gotten.” LaBate said he immediately called his fiance, Clara, who was vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “She got really emotional, too,” LaBate said. “That was a really cool part of it, because she’s the best. She’s believed in me every step.” Clara gave up her final two days in Mexico to fly back to Ohio to see LaBate play on Saturday.
• LaBate, 31, played last season in Russia’s KHL. He hit the NHL market this summer, but the best he could do was a tryout agreement with AHL Cleveland. That quickly turned into a two-way contract earlier this season. Still, it was a surprise to many that the Blue Jackets left center Luca Del Bel Belluz and winger Mikael Pyyhtiä in the minors after they were sent down to keep playing during the 4 Nations break. Blue Jackets assistant GM Chris Clark, who runs the Cleveland roster, said LaBate’s recall wasn’t a reflection on the play of Del Bel Belluz or Pyyhtiä, they just wanted to see LaBate, especially before recalls are limited after the March 7 trade deadline to only four the rest of the season.
• This week’s Sunday Gathering trivia question: The Blue Jackets have five players on pace to score 20 or more goals this season. Kirill Marchenko is already there (21), Kent Johnson and Dmitry Voronkov (19) are on the doorstep, and Werenski (18) and Adam Fantilli (16) are closing in. (Monahan, if he returns in time, could get there, too. He has 14.) The five 20-goal scorers would match the 2018-19 team for the most in a season. Name the five players who hit 20 goals that season.
• The Ohio State men’s hockey team hosts Michigan on Thursday and Friday in Value City Arena. Asked why one or both of those games couldn’t have been played in Ohio Stadium before the Blue Jackets-Red Wings Saturday matchup, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said it was the NHL’s demand that their game — Columbus vs. Detroit — be the first game staged on the temporary ice sheet. “They have very strict protocols,” Bjork said. “The games we had at Wrigley Field (earlier this season) for our men’s and women’s teams, that was after the NHL game (St. Louis vs. Chicago in the Winter Classic) was played. To protect their rights — they’re renting (Ohio Stadium) from us — it’s their stadium until after that game is played, so there wasn’t really an opportunity to do that.”
• Bjork did say, however, that Ohio State is using this Stadium Series game as a learning experience with the hope of staging their own outdoor games for the men’s and women’s programs in the future. “That’s our goal,” he said. “This obviously gives us a great template. We would not have the NHL run it. It would be nice to have their infrastructure, because they know how to do this. But we’ll use this as a template, a guide, to say, ‘Can we pull this off?’”
• The Blue Jackets announced this week that forward Kevin Labanc would miss the rest of the season following a shoulder injury. In 34 games, he had 2-10-12 and a plus-1 rating. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer.
• Tough break for Cleveland forward Owen Sillinger, who made his NHL debut earlier this season and hoped to one day soon play in the NHL game with his younger brother, Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger. On Thursday, Owen is having knee surgery in Cleveland to repair a ligament tear, which will end his season. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer.
• Trivia answer: The five players to score 20-plus goals in 2018-19 were Cam Atkinson (41), Panarin (28), Pierre-Luc Dubois and Josh Anderson (27) and Oliver Bjorkstrand (23).
(Top photo of James van Riemsdyk: Timothy T. Ludwig / Imagn Images)
