Aaron Portzline

Granville

Lead Sports Writer at The Athletic

The Athletic | NHL Network | PHWA

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Articles

Each NHL team’s best and worst draft pick of the past decade

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Scott Powers |James Mirtle |Aaron Portzline |Max Bultman

The Stanley Cup Final is over, and the 2025 NHL Draft is now less than a week away. To get into the spirit, The Athletic asked its NHL staff to look back and identify what they think is each team’s best and worst draft pick of the past 10 years. In response, we heard about the hits, misses, steals, busts and even duds between the 2015 and 2024 drafts. Here are the selections. Anaheim DucksHigh picks such as Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson have hit.
Blue Jackets mailbag, part 1: Fabbro’s future, trade possibilities, contender status check

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

As great as the Stanley Cup Final has been, there are 30 other clubs ready to get on with the offseason. The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping to make significant upgrades this summer after taking a major step forward and nearly making the playoffs in 2024-25, and the fun is right around the corner. The first round of the NHL is draft is 10 days away. The start of free agency is just a two-week wait. We asked for your questions, Blue Jackets fans, and, as usual, you did not disappoint.
Building a physical, Panther-like roster

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

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: Get physicalTo watch this year's Stanley Cup Final is to marvel at the speed and skill on display from the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. But you might recoil or wince at times, too, because the series - like every series involving the Panthers - has been incredibly physical.
Submit your questions here for Aaron Portzline's Blue Jackets mailbag

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell recently passed his one-year anniversary with the club. It was a highly informative year for Waddell, who had a front-row seat to witness the talent level of the young core and how the dressing room interacts and operates. Now, it's go time. Waddell hopes to upgrade the roster significantly this summer by any means possible, he has said. That includes free agency, offer sheets, trades, etc.
Could Blue Jackets pursue Mitch Marner via free agency? They've tried before

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Summer 2019 was a bittersweet time for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They'd just swept the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs - one of the greatest upsets in NHL history - to earn the first series win in franchise history. But the Blue Jackets' two star players, forward Artemi Panarin and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, were poised to leave as free agents.
Changes coming soon, but which UFAs stick around

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did-you-knows gathered throughout the week for the Columbus Blue Jackets:Item No. 1: Internal UFAsJust think, one month from now - after the NHL buyout window opens and closes, the entry draft is held, and the league's free agency bonanza plays out - the Blue Jackets could look significantly different than the club that barely missed the playoffs in April. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell wants to add a top-six forward.
Sean Monahan wins Masterton Trophy after a season dedicated to Johnny Gaudreau

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

Sean Monahan's only goal this season, he said in September, was to play in a way that honored the memory of his best friend, Johnny Gaudreau. Monahan and the Columbus Blue Jackets did exactly that despite immeasurable grief, and the hockey world took notice.
Blue Jackets prospect Cayden Lindstrom looks forward to 'long career,' with his next stop at Michigan State

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

Cayden Lindstrom was flying home to Vancouver on Wednesday, ready to enjoy a full offseason of conditioning and buoyed by the knowledge that the worst of his medical issues - fingers crossed, knock on wood, etc. - were finally behind him. His surgically repaired back has healed and is continuing to strengthen.
Cayden Lindstrom, Blue Jackets' No. 4 pick last June, makes triumphant return

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ever since Cayden Lindstrom had back surgery in November, the Columbus Blue Jackets' seemed resigned to waiting until next season to see their 2024 No. 4 pick back on the ice. Every precaution was taken, and patience ruled the day. But Lindstrom's diligent work during rehab and the Medicine Hat Tigers' long, impressive run through the Western Hockey League playoffs conspired to make the unlikely possible on Friday.
Blue Jackets' future owner on his transition, NHL's rising salary cap

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Aaron Portzline

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Blue Jackets are in transition at the ownership level. While John P. McConnell, 71, remains the majority owner, his son, John H. McConnell II, 41, was elevated to alternate governor last fall and is on track to assume majority ownership of the franchise. He would be the third member of the family to hold a majority ownership stake in the franchise, and early indications suggest John H.