Front & Nationwide: A show about the Columbus Blue Jackets

12 games to go in the regular season and the Blue Jackets remain in the playoff hunt. In this episode, Aaron Portzline, Tom Reed, and Alison Lukan discuss what to make of the 1-1-1 western Canada trip and process versus results. They also break down the recent play of Pierre-Luc Dubois; what should be the plan for playing Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins down the stretch; and, is this John To...

In this episode, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan talk about the OT loss in Calgary, the Blue Jackets’ OT woes this season, a day off in beautiful Banff, Alberta, the newest free agent signing, and who is and isn;t a threat in the playoff race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming off a big win against Vancouver, the Blue Jackets face the most difficult schedule of any team in the NHL, and they’ll have to play through it without Josh Anderson who had season-ending shoulder surgery this week. Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan break it all down - the pro’s and con’s of the schedule, what’s happening around the Metro, and who is to count this Blue Jackets team out? Hoste...

In this episode, Alison Lukan goes one on one with the newest Blue Jacket Devin Shore to talk about what it’s like to be traded, adapting to a new team; and…Harry Potter! We also review the past few days for the Blue Jackets, injury updates, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

00: Game Recap – shuffling of standings 2:37 A win over Ottawa 4:56 Foligno’s message to the team 6:05 The way this team has to play 7:42 Reviewing the Sonny Milano trade 9;52 Milano’s evolution including the Calder Cup win 12:50 Milano is a unique player 14:26 The role of RFA status for Milano and Devin Shore 16:15 Markus Hannikainen traded 18:38 Josh Anderson not moved at the deadline 21:40 Does...

1:11 What’s going on with this team 3:20 The hits keep coming and coming at the top of the lineup 4:25 OT choices 5:43 it all works together in this game – injuries impacting everything 7:22 Giving up leads 7:44 NHL deadline preview 8:16 status of team as playoff team 11 Josh Anderson 14:24 Sonny Milano on the block? 17:02 Blue line have any trade options? 19:00 Seller without selling the season 2...

Show Notes: :50 CBJ heading into big head to head with Flyers 1:27 Winner gets third in Metro 1:50 Breaking down the Blue Jackets’ five game losing streak 3:24 Reviewing the New Jersey game 4:14 Glass half empty? 6:55 Remaining schedule review 7:30 Guys are not scoring 10:00 Missing Seth Jones 11:50 Glass half full? 15:40 This team compared to the 14-15 team in terms of injuries 17:00 Is the team...

2:21 Seth Jones Injury 2:52 Atkinson injury 4:14 played on a broken ankle 6:41 Jones absence affects all areas of play 8:50 Jones learned on OT 9:18 TBL Game 9:46 Replacing Atkinson with Foudy 11:19 Foudy’s performance 12:55 Contract restrictions for ELC 13:35 David Savard welcomes a son 14:30 Scoring woes – 10G in 6 games 17:00 Impact of Wennberg’s loss 18:46 Anderson signing? 20:30 Can’t imagine...

Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan are joined by ESPN’s John Buccigross to discuss the surprising Blue Jackets season thus far; who the team might target at the trade deadline; the evolution of Ohio State hockey; and the best chicken parm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the inaugural Blue Jackets Hockey Analytics Conference happening this weekend, assistant general manager, Josh Flynn joined Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan to talk about why he wanted to hold this event, what he hopes comes from it, and more events about what to expect from the weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before this season began, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan shared their bold predictions for the year: https://theathletic.com/1233492/2019/09/23/burning-questions-bold-predictions-for-the-blue-jackets-in-2019-20/.   With 31 game to go, we revisit those thoughts to see what we got right, what we got wrong, and what remains to be decided. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Blue Jackets incredible run continues with two wins over the weekend each backed by a different Latvian goaltender. In this episode, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan talk about the contributions in net; how the play in front of the goalers helps their success; how much longer this streak may go; the veterans who are returning to the lineup; and how this year feels different than last. Hosted o...

With the Blue Jackets back in the playoff hunt, one of the key players who has risen up to help drive the team’s success is Elvis Merzlikins. In this episode, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan discuss all things Elvis - his drive to be great; his performance in net; the possibility that he can connect with Columbus outside hockey; the silver lining of having two great young goaltenders; and how doe...

The Blue Jackets beat the Kings last night 3-2 and are now one point out of a wild card spot. In this episode, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan break down the game in Los Angeles; the games that lie ahead; and discuss the contributions of Elvis Merzlikins, Sonny Milano, and Nathan Gerbe, and how knowing the opportunity is yours for the taking has bread confidence in this young group. Hosted on Aca...

The Blue Jackets lost to Chicago Sunday, but that wasn’t the biggest story. A failed clock re-set cost the team an overtime win, and ultimately set up a shootout that would see Joonas Korpisalo leave the game due to injury, and a post-game John Tortorella rant. Now, Korpisalo is out weeks and Elvis Merzlikins takes over as the starting goaltender. Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan recap all of thes...

Depleted by injuries, the Blue Jackets earned an impressive 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals Monday. Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan recap all the highlights of the game and talk about where this team is overall in terms of the play of their rookies; looking at players deeper in the organization; and what we continue to learn - and still need to learn - about goaltending as Joonas Korpisalo c...

The Blue Jackets earned a 5-2 win over the Capitals, Monday, to stop a four-game losing skid. In this episode, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan discuss the different identities the team has shown in this stretch and try to figure out what the team might truly be - and if there’s still time to put it all together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Zach Werenski expected to miss four weeks of action due to a shoulder injury, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan break down the impacts of that loss as well as how the Blue Jackets need to respond, including the ongoing lack of scoring. The two also discuss recent revelations of coach misconduct in the league. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alison and Aaron sit down for a very special podcast where they pick the All-Decade Blue Jackets team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming off the second shutout of Joonas Korpisalo’s career, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan discuss how he has taken ownership of the Blue Jackets’ net and what Elvis Merzlikins has to do to recover from the loss in Winnipeg. The two also break down the impact both the power play and penalty kill are making with their team, and the curious case of Josh Anderson’s play to date. Hosted on Acast. Se...

Coming off a weekend win against St. Louis, the Blue Jackets continue to shuffle lines to try and spark offense. We talk about the forward changes, along with how the team has fared without the suspended Nick Foligno; the possibility of Merzlikins getting more playing time in Cleveland; Zach Werenski’s calm style of play, and more in advance of Tuesday’s game against Montreal. Hosted on Acast. See...

It’s been an up and down road trip for Columbus. They won in Arizona but lost in Colorado in a game that saw Joonas Korpisalo lose his cool, and Nick Foligno with an illegal hit that will cost him a few games. In this episode, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan discuss the repercussions of those actions and what the Blue Jackets will have to do if they want to get their season back on track. Hosted...

After a six-game point streak, the Blue Jackets are 0-3-1 in their last four games. Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan discuss which version of this team is their true identity; players who aren’t meeting expectations right now; the challenges the group is facing; and the recent call-up of Kole Sherwood and what he can bring to the ice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a 7-4 loss in Philadelphia, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan break down some big lessons learned including managing emotion; injuries to Murray and Texier; and the struggling power play - including John Tortorella’s thoughts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the Blue Jackets earn an impressive overtime win in Toronto, Aaron Portzline and Alison Lukan discuss the attitude of the team and how they have bought in; the return of Josh Anderson; managing Ryan Murray’s workload and players who are contributing in different ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.