3 months ago
It's been a tough offseason for the Blue Jackets, who've been putting out fires ever since it became public in late June that stars Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko weren't planning to stay long-term.
More: Hockey fans, internet react to Blue Jackets radio broadcast changes
There have also been lengthy negotiations with key restricted free agents. Jet Greaves and Cole Sillinger nearly reached arbitration hearings, and Adam Fantilli remains unsigned, so it's been a battle for president/general manager Don Waddell to keep the arrow pointed in the right direction.
And that's just the hockey side.
The Blue Jackets' business side is also taking hits with decisions to part ways with longtime radio voice Bob McElligott and team reporter Jeff Svoboda, who'd become team ambassadors in their respective roles. Those moves followed on the heels of the Jackets announcing their TV broadcast will shift from FanDuel to an NHL Productions product.
#broadcast #side #june #werenski
More: Hockey fans, internet react to Blue Jackets radio broadcast changes
There have also been lengthy negotiations with key restricted free agents. Jet Greaves and Cole Sillinger nearly reached arbitration hearings, and Adam Fantilli remains unsigned, so it's been a battle for president/general manager Don Waddell to keep the arrow pointed in the right direction.
And that's just the hockey side.
The Blue Jackets' business side is also taking hits with decisions to part ways with longtime radio voice Bob McElligott and team reporter Jeff Svoboda, who'd become team ambassadors in their respective roles. Those moves followed on the heels of the Jackets announcing their TV broadcast will shift from FanDuel to an NHL Productions product.
#broadcast #side #june #werenski
4 months ago
Bob McElligott has broken his silence after the Columbus Blue Jackets decided not to renew his contract.
The move ends his 17-year run as the team's radio play-by-play voice. Columbus announced that all games will be simulcast across television and radio beginning in the 2026-27 NHL season.
McElligott confirmed the news in a heartfelt post on X. He wrote, "As some of you have heard, I learned today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have decided to simulcast their TV broadcast, and my contract as the team's radio play-by-play announcer will not be renewed."
MORE: Montreal insider says Canadiens are built to pull off Kirill Marchenko trade
He thanked the organization, ownership, and the fanbase for their support. McElligott added, "To the #5thLine , I am especially grateful to you. Your passion, enthusiasm, and caring motivated me and drove me to give you the best broadcast I could."
#blue #jackets #decided
The move ends his 17-year run as the team's radio play-by-play voice. Columbus announced that all games will be simulcast across television and radio beginning in the 2026-27 NHL season.
McElligott confirmed the news in a heartfelt post on X. He wrote, "As some of you have heard, I learned today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have decided to simulcast their TV broadcast, and my contract as the team's radio play-by-play announcer will not be renewed."
MORE: Montreal insider says Canadiens are built to pull off Kirill Marchenko trade
He thanked the organization, ownership, and the fanbase for their support. McElligott added, "To the #5thLine , I am especially grateful to you. Your passion, enthusiasm, and caring motivated me and drove me to give you the best broadcast I could."
#blue #jackets #decided
4 months ago
NHL trade rumors surrounding Kirill Marchenko intensified last week, but his agent has since poured cold water on reports linking the Columbus Blue Jackets forward to the Montreal Canadiens. The rumors gained traction after reports suggested Columbus was close to completing a blockbuster deal.
RG.org reported that Marchenko was "essentially between two teams" and that trade discussions were progressing. A source close to the winger said, "The parties are now negotiating the terms of the trade."
The speculation grew after an NHL ****** yst posted on X that the Canadiens were working on a complex three-team trade involving Columbus. The ****** yst added, "Montreal obviously has strong interest in Marchenko, but not just him."
MORE: Canadiens could get another shot at Kirill Marchenko, says NHL ****** yst
Marchenko's agent, Dan Milstein, wasted little time responding. "Go back to your vacation, man the mystery forward is doing more work than your 'sources' right now," Milstein wrote on X, dismissing the report with a playful jab.
#marchenko
RG.org reported that Marchenko was "essentially between two teams" and that trade discussions were progressing. A source close to the winger said, "The parties are now negotiating the terms of the trade."
The speculation grew after an NHL ****** yst posted on X that the Canadiens were working on a complex three-team trade involving Columbus. The ****** yst added, "Montreal obviously has strong interest in Marchenko, but not just him."
MORE: Canadiens could get another shot at Kirill Marchenko, says NHL ****** yst
Marchenko's agent, Dan Milstein, wasted little time responding. "Go back to your vacation, man the mystery forward is doing more work than your 'sources' right now," Milstein wrote on X, dismissing the report with a playful jab.
#marchenko
4 months ago
After exceeding expectations with a trip to the Eastern Conference Final, the Montreal Canadiens aren’t content with standing still.
While general manager Kent Hughes has stayed away from blockbuster free-agent signings, the club continues to explore ways to add another top-six scorer, and one insider says Montreal made a serious push for one of the league’s emerging Russian stars.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko has emerged as a trade candidate after ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported that his camp has indicated he is unlikely to sign a long-term extension with Columbus when eligible.
That development immediately caught Montreal’s attention.
Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico revealed the organization aggressively pursued Marchenko once the opportunity surfaced.
While general manager Kent Hughes has stayed away from blockbuster free-agent signings, the club continues to explore ways to add another top-six scorer, and one insider says Montreal made a serious push for one of the league’s emerging Russian stars.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko has emerged as a trade candidate after ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported that his camp has indicated he is unlikely to sign a long-term extension with Columbus when eligible.
That development immediately caught Montreal’s attention.
Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico revealed the organization aggressively pursued Marchenko once the opportunity surfaced.
4 months ago
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
To Brian: News that CBJ players Werenski and Marchenko are not wanting to stay in Columbus after their current contracts end is very disappointing to say the least. Also, remembering the terrific Columbus Crew players, Cucho, Zelarayan, and Aidan Morris that we have lost to other clubs/cities makes you wonder what’s wrong with Columbus. Are we chopped liver, or what? Or maybe something worse? Columbus seems to be a great place for professional athletes to develop but not to stay long term. Why can’t Columbus keep the star players that can help us win the big games? It can make a loyal CBJ and Crew supporter sleepless. We can only hope. But, hope is a good thing.
Sleepless in Columbus.
Chet Ridenour Sr. Worthington
To Sleepless, er, Chet: I think the Blue Jackets part is pretty easy: Players want to win, and the Blue Jackets never win. Rebuilds get old for players who see their friends in the playoffs and winning ***** les. As for the Crew, that's how the MLS works. It is a minor league for the better leagues in the world. When players are deemed good enough to move up, it is in the Crew's best interests to set them free rather than hold them hostage.
To Brian: News that CBJ players Werenski and Marchenko are not wanting to stay in Columbus after their current contracts end is very disappointing to say the least. Also, remembering the terrific Columbus Crew players, Cucho, Zelarayan, and Aidan Morris that we have lost to other clubs/cities makes you wonder what’s wrong with Columbus. Are we chopped liver, or what? Or maybe something worse? Columbus seems to be a great place for professional athletes to develop but not to stay long term. Why can’t Columbus keep the star players that can help us win the big games? It can make a loyal CBJ and Crew supporter sleepless. We can only hope. But, hope is a good thing.
Sleepless in Columbus.
Chet Ridenour Sr. Worthington
To Sleepless, er, Chet: I think the Blue Jackets part is pretty easy: Players want to win, and the Blue Jackets never win. Rebuilds get old for players who see their friends in the playoffs and winning ***** les. As for the Crew, that's how the MLS works. It is a minor league for the better leagues in the world. When players are deemed good enough to move up, it is in the Crew's best interests to set them free rather than hold them hostage.
