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Preseason Gameday #1: Jackets hit the ice against St. Louis

Dec 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) chips the puck past St. Louis Blues defenseman Nick Leddy (4) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Editor’s Note: Want to join the crew here at The Cannon and help cover the Blue Jackets? Email thecannon@forhockeyfans.com with a brief resume and a 300ish word writing sample (opinion, analysis, and/or game recap).


Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 5:00 PM EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
TV: BlueJackets.com; Radio: 97.1 FM

St. Louis Blues (0-0-1)

at

Columbus Blue Jackets (0-0-0)

After just three days of practice, the Jackets start their preseason schedule this afternoon at home. This marks the first of four straight game days, with the final three preseason games spread out over a week. Expect a heavy dose of young players in the lineups this week, with the bulk of those returning to their junior teams or AHL Cleveland on Thursday.

Rosters

Columbus

St. Louis

Forwards: Nikita Alexandrov, Sam Bitten, Nick Bjugstad, Justin Carbonneau, Hugh McGing, Mathieu Joseph, Milan Lucic, Dylan Peterson, Jakub Stancl, Otto Stenberg, Alexandre Texier, Christopher Wagner

Defense: Quinton Burns, Adam Jiricek, Leo Loof, Corey Schueneman, Hunter Skinner, Tyler Tucker

Goalie: Joel Hofer, Vadim Zherenko

https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/preview-blues-at-blue-jackets-250920

Players to Watch

Ivan Fedotov: The giant Russian goalie was acquired from Philadelphia last week. His first full NHL season was unimpressive, but there’s still upside here and he provides experience in the #3 role. Expect him to lead the Monsters, but the Jackets will most likely need to use a third goalie along the way.

Yegor Chinakhov: After an off-season trade request, it appears that the air has been cleared between Chinny and the Jackets – at least for now. If he impresses in camp, he’ll get the top 6 minutes that he wants. If not, he wants an opportunity elsewhere. Either way, he has something to prove.

Milan Lucic: This human battering ram hasn’t played in the NHL in nearly two years, but signed a PTO with the Blues. How much does he have left in the tank? The kids better keep their heads up around him.

Adam Jiricek: Yes, David’s younger brother. Just a fair warning in case you hear the name and get confused.

How to watch

There will be more ways to watch the preseason this year, including some games on TV and some on ESPN+. Everything will be available on the team site and app as well for those in-market.

Talking Points