The Athletic

Front & Nationwide: A show about the Columbus Blue Jackets

Sports EN ↓ 334 episodes

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic breaks down the latest news surrounding the Columbus Blue Jackets and touches on topics from around the NHL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

The Athletic

Category

Sports

Podcast website

soundcloud.com

Latest episode

May 15, 2026

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Episodes

Blue Jackets big signing of Charlie Coyle 15.05.2026

Jody Shelley joins this week’s Front & Nationwide to discuss the six-year, $36 million extension signed this week by Blue Jackets’ center Charlie Coyle, one of GM Don Waddell’s top priorities. Shelley, a #CBJ and national broadcaster, talks about life between the benches and how close he thinks Columbus is to snapping its playoff drought. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

Who can the Blue Jackets pick at No. 14? 07.05.2026

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, prospects guru extraordinaire, joins Front & Nationwide to discuss the NHL’s entry draft lottery on Tuesday, what type of player might be on the board when the Blue Jackets selected No. 14 next month in Buffalo, plus a deep dive on some of the Columbus’ best prospects ... Jackson Smith, Cayden Lindstrom, and others. Plus we take your AskPorty questions. Host: Aaro...

Classic Bones 22.04.2026

After a disappointing finish, the Blue Jackets are settling into an offseason, but the first item on the agenda — an extension for coach Rick Bowness — is done. On this week’s Front & Nationwide, we welcome Jamie Thomas of the Winnipeg Jets and the Ground Control podcast. Thomas covered Rick Bowness extensively during his time with the Jets, and gives us insights into what Bowness means when h...

Bones on blast! 15.04.2026

Rick Bowness tore into the Columbus Blue Jackets after a season-ending 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, saying the players don’t hate losing enough, don’t care enough, and weren’t competitive enough when the games grew tougher down the stretch. On this edition of Front & Nationwide, longtime friend Michael Arace from Disrespected Media joins to discuss Bowness’ presser and what...

What happened to the Blue Jackets? 07.04.2026

Aaron welcomes FanDuel Sports Network’s Dave Maetzold to this week’s Front & Nationwide for a lively chat about the struggling Blue Jackets and a look ahead at Tuesday’s HUGE matchup in Detroit, plus we discuss his favorite interviews, the future of FDSN Ohio, and we take your AskPorty questions! Host: Aaron Portzline With Dave Maetzold Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Moving past a collapse 31.03.2026

On this week’s Front & Nationwide, Blue Jackets’ radio play-by-play voice Bob McElligott joins and we discuss the Blue Jackets’ epic - and latest - third-period meltdown, not just why this keeps happening but how they can move beyond it. We also talk about old friend John Tortorella’s hiring in Vegas, Rick Bowness’ pointed post-game comments on Sunday, and much more. As always, we spend the fi...

Can the Blue Jackets capture 2nd place in the Metro? 25.03.2026

The Blue Jackets’ 3-2 win over Philadelphia on Tuesday was more gutsy than pretty, but it allowed them to jump Pittsburgh and claim second place in the Metro Division. Blue Jackets’ radio host Dylan Tyrer joins us to discuss Tuesday’s win, the idea that the Blue Jackets are “built for the playoffs,” and much more. Plus, we take your #AskPorty questions. Host: Aaron Portzline With: Dylan Tyrer Prod...

Blue Jackets peaking at the right time 19.03.2026

The Blue Jackets may have played their most complete game of the season in Tuesday's rout of Carolina. Now they look to build on that performance when they host the New York Rangers and Seattle Kraken. Longtime friend of the program Alison Lukan, a member of the Kraken broadcast team, joins the program, plus we take your AskPorty questions. Host: Aaron Portzline With: Alison Lucan Producer: Jeff D...

Conor Garland arrives, UFAs stay put at NHL deadline 09.03.2026

The Blue Jackets added Conor Garland in a trade with Vancouver at the NHL trade deadline. Just as important, they held on to their veterans UFAs, hoping to continue the playoff hunt. Aaron Portzline is joined by BlueJackets.com reporter Jeff Svoboda to discuss a busy week for the Blue Jackets and what to make of Garland’s arrival. Plus we take your #AskPorty reader questions. Host: Aaron Portzline...

Blue Jackets approach the NHL trade deadline 04.03.2026

Front and Nationwide is back! Aaron Portzline returns with the podcast dedicated to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Blue Jackets analyst Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre joins the program to talk about the teams last two wins, the ongoing search for the complete game, what they need at the NHL trade deadline, plus, we take your questions. Host: Aaron Portzline With: Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre Producer: Jeff Domet Host...

Should the Blue Jackets have done more in free agency? 03.07.2025

Front and Nationwide returns with a post draft and free agency update on the Columbus Blue Jackets, including why the Jackets weren't as busy as fans hoped they would be on July 1st, Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood coming into the fold via trade, how the team did at the draft, Dante Fabbro and Ivan Provorov signing extensions and what might be up GM Don Waddell's sleeve this summer. Host: A...

The Blue Jackets will be buyers ahead of the trade deadline 06.03.2025

For the first time since they went “all in” at the 2019 trade deadline, the Blue Jackets are once again buyers at Friday’s NHL trade deadline. We discuss who might be joining Columbus, plus a look back at the wonderful experience that was the Stadium Series outdoor game in Ohio Stadium, and a discussion of Mathieu Olivier’s new contract. Host: Aaron Portzline Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast....

Blue Jackets Prospects ranked 6th by The Athletic 07.02.2025

The Blue Jackets landed 6th on Scott Wheeler’s annual NHL team prospect rankings, but they were one of the more difficult teams to rank, Wheeler joins Aaron Portzline to tell him why. Columbus General Manager Don Waddell is looking to add at the NHL trade deadline, and the Blue Jackets have injury reinforcements coming. Host: Aaron Portzline With: Scott Wheeler Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast...

Blue Jackets aim for success on South West road trip 30.01.2025

The Athletic's Aaron Porzline answers your questions on the resurgent Elvis Merzļikins, Hart Trophy dark horse Zach Werenski, the return of Boone Jenner, the trade deadline just 12 games away, the Four Nations Face-off and the upcoming three games in 4 nights in the South West vs the Golden Knights, Utah and the Dallas Stars. Host: Aaron Portzline Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

As Blue Jackets hang around Eastern Conference playoff spot, eyes shift to trade deadline 23.01.2025

Will the Blue Jackets trade Ivan Provorov by the March 7 NHL trade deadline or keep him around for a possible playoff berth? What’s with the sudden resurgence in Elvis Merzlikins’ game and the Blue Jackets goaltending in general? The Stanley Cup playoffs … no, really, might this be a thing for the Blue Jackets this season? The Athletic's Aaron Portzline answers your questions and comments in anoth...

NHL reveals Blue Jackets’ Stadium Series sweaters 16.01.2025

The reviews are in for the Blue Jackets outdoor game jersey, Porty shares his thoughts and lists yours as well as Blue Jackets nation gears up for the NHL stadium series game vs Detroit at Ohio Stadium on March 1st. With the Jackets in playoff position, and the trade deadline less than two months away, Porty looks at what the Jackets may be looking to add, plus we get an injury update on Justin Da...

Are the Blue Jackets interested in Pettersson? 09.01.2025

On this edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline answers your questions on what the Blue Jackets might have to give up to acquire Ellias Pettersson or JT Miller from Vancouver, Dmitry Voronkov's breakout season, Sean Monahan's injury update, and Owen Sillinger's callup, replacing his injured brother Cole, in tonight's lineup. Plus, our old friend Alison Lukan joins the show to talk about h...

Elvis Merzļikins steals one vs the Devils 20.12.2024

Porty looks back on a big win by the Blue Jackets on Thursday night, as Elvis Merzļikins stole one for Columbus vs the New Jersey Devils and the Monsters win over Utica last night. Plus, Porty provides an injury update and answers your questions on Ivan Provorov, Daniil Tarasov, Dmitry Voronkov and what GM Don Waddell might have up his sleeve to improve the team leading up to the deadline. Host: A...

Will the Blue Jackets give Jet Greaves some runway in net? 13.12.2024

On this edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline looks back on a better effort from the Blue Jackets on Thursday night, in the 2-1 loss to the Capitals, after they got pounded Tuesday night vs the Flyers. Porty discusses Jet Greaves presence in goal for the Jackets and if he could take the starting job away from Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov, plus he gives an update on the stadium se...

Are the upstart Blue Jackets a legitimate playoff team? 05.12.2024

Porty takes your calls and questions on the surprising Blue Jackets who sit 2 points out of a wild card slot in the East, including Zach Werenski being named to Team USA at the 4-Nations Face-off in February, if the Jackets got fair value in the David Jiricek trade, if Sean Kuraly joins Ivan Provorov as a candidate to be traded, if Kent Johnson has figured it out, and why Adam Fantilli's nickname...

The 500 Blue Jackets have a lot to be thankful for 27.11.2024

Aaron Portzline discusses the surprising Blue Jackets who are exceeding expectations with a 500 record on Thanksgiving Eve. Aaron addresses the continued trade rumours swirling around David Jiricek and the wonderful contributions from the young core, led by Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Yegor Chinakhov, Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson.  Host: Aaron Portzline Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast...

Will Kent Johnson have an immediate impact after returning from injury? 21.11.2024

On this week's edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline answers your questions on the Blue Jackets, including the chances of David Jiricek getting traded, the return of Kent Johnson, Porty provides an update on injured prospect Cayden Lindstrom, and discusses if Dean Evason's system is difficult for a young team to execute every night? Host: Aaron Portzline Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on A...

Hope springs eternal for the Blue Jackets 31.10.2024

The Blue Jackets are 5-3-1 to start the season, perhaps playing their most inspired hockey in the past two seasons, scoring goals at will and playing good defensive hockey. Aaron Portzline takes your questions and comments on the solid play of Elvis Merzļikins, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko, Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier. Host: Aaron Portzline Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Blue Jackets focused on cutting down goals against 24.10.2024

On this edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline answers your questions and comments on everything Columbus Blue Jackets, including Aaron's thoughts on Ivan Provorov trade rumours, the continued development of Daniil Tarasov, Kirill Marchenko, Yegor Chinakhov and what is behind the slow start for Adam Fantelli? Plus we get an injury update on Kent Johnson, Eric Gudbranson and Dmitri Voronk...

What’s the deal with David Jiricek? 17.10.2024

Many of the Blue Jackets’ young players are thriving, but why hasn’t defenseman David Jiricek cracked the lineup yet? And if he’s not going to play, why not send him to the AHL? This and more in this week’s edition of Front & Nationwide with Aaron Portzline. Host: Aaron Portzline Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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