If you’re not a twitter user or if you’re like me and you’re currently “PortyBanned”… or you just don’t spend all day on twitter (unlike me) and don’t catch all of the updates (or scroll back and see what you missed), I’ve gone through the Aaron Portzline’s (and other Dispatch writers) timeline and grouped the most important tweets by category for you. As much as I disagree with the tone of Porty’s message 90% of the time, he’s undeniably the top source of information outside of the organization itself.
On #CBJ players currently overseas
Trying to reach #CBJ players overseas. My guess: they’re talking to wives girlfriends, trying to find flights back to North America.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
NHL GMs / coaches have stressed: Guys who have been playing – AHL, ECHL, Europe, whatever – will be at a huge early-season advantage.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
On training camp
#CBJ expect only 25 (maybe 26) players at training camp. Two of the following D will likely make club: John Moore, Tim Erixon, David Savard.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
Would expect #CBJ to recall: Cam Atkinson, Matt Calvert, Tim Erixon, Ryan Johansen, John Moore, David Savard from Springfield for camp.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
There may be others, too. They owe Jonathan Audy-Marchessault at least a look, don’t they? Maybe G Curtis McElhinney, too.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
G Curtis McElhinney has been great in Springfield, but #CBJ plans to go with Sergei Bobrovsky – Steve Mason in goal. Not planning to carry 3
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
Oshawa C Boone Jenner will definitely be recalled to training camp with others. No guarantees they make the club, but will get a look.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
As if anybody wondered … Asked about AHL/CHL call-ups, Davidson said: “Well, Boone for sure.” That would be Oshawa C Boone Jenner.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
Davidson said he would meet with GM Scott Howson and asst GM Chris MacFarland to decide on who will get a look from @thefalconsahl.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
To be clear: Boone Jenner will come for NHL camp, per #CBJ John Davidson. Whether he sticks in #NHL will be determined by his performance.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
#CBJ D John Moore (concussion) has been cleared to resume skating, could be ready for regular season.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
Looking ahead to camp: #CBJ F Brandon Dubinsky returned from broken right hand on 12/28. Had 9-7-16 in 17 games with ECHL Alaska Aces.
— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) January 6, 2013
#CBJ F Artem Anisimov had quite a go in KHL. Had 12-18-30 and was plus-16 in 36 games with Lokomotiv. Was team’s top scorer.
— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) January 6, 2013
On the arena itself
Reported in today’s Dispatch that Nationwide Arena was putting ice in main rink on Monday. Apparently other NHL rinks now planning the same.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
On potential opening day lines
Best guess for #CBJ: Umberger – Brassard – Atkinson; Prospal – Johansen – Dubinsky; Foligno – Anisimov – Dorsett; Boll – MacK – Letestu.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
#CBJ D: Johnson – Wisniewski; Tyutin – Nikitin; Moore – Aucoin. Gs: Bobrovsky – Mason
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
Extra forwards: Gillies, maybe Jenner. Extra D: Erixon, Savard. G: McElhinney.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
On Season Tickets
#CBJ expect to have season-ticket cards – remember, cards no tickets – ready for season-ticket card holders by end of this week, early next.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
@randyludlow Told “half-season” pkgs are now 12 games; quarter-season is now 6 and six-game packs are now 3. #CBJ working on details now.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
Player/Staff Reactions
#CBJ G Steve Mason via text: “Great news! Looking forward to getting back playing with the new group of guys we have in Columbus. Very … “
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
More Mason: “… excited to put this behind us and look forward to the future.”
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
#CBJ RW Derek Dorsett: “Great news. Can we start tomorrow?” (For those with no sarcasm gene, he was joking, expressing excitement.)
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
#CBJ C Derick Brassard, asked when he’s traveling to Columbus: “Tonight!!!! I’m so happy. I can’t wait to get back and play.”
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
#CBJ John Davidson:”There are just so many questions that need to be answered, so many details we’ll need direction on from the league.”
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
#CBJ John Davidson: “It’ll be great to hear the skates and the sticks and the pucks again, the whistles in practice. I’m ready for it.”
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013
#CBJ coach Todd Richards expects team to be “OK, health-wise” for start of camp. D John Moore (concussion) resumed skating last week.
— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) January 6, 2013
#CBJ coach Todd Richards said he went to rink this a.m. with “clear focus” for first time in a long time. Met with assistants for 4 hours.
— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) January 6, 2013
Several Blue Jackets already in town or on their way. Expect 10-12 #CBJ to skate together on Monday, perhaps in the Ice Haus.
— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) January 6, 2013
On the modified Schedule
NHL schedule will likely be released in 2-3 days. #CBJ do NOT have any indication from league when, where, or against whom they’ll open.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 7, 2013
On the next #CBJ Captain
Many have asked about captain: If I were a betting man (I’m not), I’d throw two quarters on Jack Johnson. But I’ve also had a prevailing …
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 7, 2013
… thought about #CBJ captain. So many new faces and so few games … why force decision if it’s not there? Maybe let it breathe a bit.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 7, 2013
On Conference Realignment
Many have asked: #NHL vehemently shot down #CBJ to East / #WPG to West talk for this season. Could happen in future, but not this season.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 6, 2013