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 season preview 08.10.2024

Aaron Portzline takes your questions and looks ahead to the season for the Blue Jackets with opening night Thursday in Minnesota vs the Wild. What is the ceiling for Adam Fantelli? What can we expect from Sean Monahan and Cole Sillinger? How will the Blue Jackets respond to longterm injuries to Boone Jenner and Dmitri Voronkov? Will Elvis rebound from a down season last year and how will new head...

Did the Blue Jackets get enough for Patrik Laine? 22.08.2024

Aaron Portzline discusses a busy week for the Blue Jackets who traded Patrik Laine to the Canadiens for defenseman Jordan Harris, the extension for Cole Sillinger, the strength of the Blue Jackets down the middle, if the dressing room is better off without Laine in it and if Elvis Merzļikins can bounce back from a tough year last season.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Dean Evason hired as CBJ head coach 23.07.2024

Aaron Portzline discusses the hiring of new Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason, the future of the team’s coaching staff, why finalists for the job like Todd McLellan and Jay Woodcroft didn’t work out, player personnel moves, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the latest on the Blue Jackets head coaching search? 11.07.2024

Aaron Portzline answers your questions on the status of the head coach search, what happened with Todd McLellan who was thought to be the front runner, if the Mike Babcock drama ruined an opportunity for Columbus to hire Joel Quenneville and the reported final two between Jay Woodcroft and Dean Evason. Porty updates the Patrik Laine saga, and the addition of Sean Monahan and Jack Johnson in free a...

Don Waddell's to do list is lengthy for the Blue Jackets 28.06.2024

On this pre draft edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline discusses a busy next few days for the jackets as they prepare to select number 4 in the draft, or will they trade down? Will they trade Patrik Laine before free agency? Who does Don have in his sights to sign on July 1st, and who will he hire as the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Blue Jackets searching for 5th head coach since 2021 19.06.2024

On an all new Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline returns to discuss Don Waddell's search for a new bench boss after firing Pascal Vincent earlier this week. Porty takes your questions on the Blue Jackets locker room vibe, the draft, free agency and overhauling the roster, with Patrik Laine leading the way, on the block. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blue Jackets aim for a culture reset in Columbus 19.04.2024

With the nightmare season for the Blue Jackets in the book, Aaron answers your questions and Columbus begins another post season on the sidelines. Porty looks into the health of Elvis Merzļikins, the future of Patrik Laine in Columbus, he updates Jordan Dumais status and what kind of player the Blue Jackets should aim for at the draft. Plus Aaron addresses some of the General Manager rumours and i...

A big offseason of change on the horizon for the Columbus Blue Jackets 10.04.2024

Aaron Portzline returns with an all new Front and Nationwide discussing the impending off season of change for the Blue Jackets with three games left in a disappointing season. Aaron and the fanbase discuss the most important moves including a new General Manager, possibly a new head coach, starting goaltender and much needed depth. Plus, who takes the legendary Jeff Rimer's spot as the voice of t...

The Blue Jackets must promote their young talent 21.03.2024

Aaron Portzline returns with a new episode of Front and Nationwide, answering your Blue Jackets questions on Pascal Vincent's coaching style and his distribution of minutes, Alex Nylander's ceiling, the General Manager search, if Elvis Merzļikins might be bought out in the off-season, if owner John P. McConnell might address the fan base at the end of the season, David Jiricek future with the Jack...

Blue Jackets at the trade deadline, and is criticism of Pascal Vincent fair? 07.03.2024

Aaron takes your questions on the trade deadline, what players might be in play for the Blue Jackets, he provides an update on the General Manager search, touches on the benching of Kirill Marchenko and if head coach Pascal Vincent might be in over his head this season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blue Jackets have the 3rd best prospect pool in the NHL 01.03.2024

Scott Wheeler, national hockey writer for the Athletic joins Aaron Portzline on Front and Nationwide to discuss the Blue Jackets ranking of third best prospect pool in the NHL and takes your questions on many of the Blue Jackets prospects including Kent Johnson, David Jiricek and Gavin Brindley. Plus, Aaron provides an update on injured youngster Adam Fantilli and John Davidson's scouting trip to...

Who will be the next Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager? 22.02.2024

Aaron Portzline recaps the 2-4, six game road trip for the Blue Jackets including Wednesday night's wild 7-4 seesaw battle with the Anaheim Ducks. Porty takes your questions about how John Davidson and his staff will handle the upcoming trade deadline, who the candidates are to replace Jarmo Kekäläinen as the General Manager, if Pascal Vincent will give more ice time to the younger players, he pro...

Jarmo Kekäläinen fired by Blue Jackets 16.02.2024

On this special edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron Portzline provides his thoughts on the Blue Jackets firing Jarmo Kekäläinen, who John Davidson might have in mind to replace him, the stadium series game involving the Blue Jackets next season and he takes listener questions on the next GM for Columbus and more on the NHL trade deadline which is less than three weeks away.  Hosted on Acast. Se...

Boone Jenner’s trade possibility, and other Jackets who might get moved 14.02.2024

On this edition of Front and Nationwide, Aaron addresses the trade rumours swirling around Captain Boone Jenner and the trade deadline in general with many attractive pieces available for the Jackets, including Sean Kuraly, Jack Roslovic, Erik Gudbranson and Elvis Merzļikins. Plus, Porty discusses GM Jarmo Kekäläinen's future with the club, if Pascal Vincent will return as head coach, Johnny Gaudr...

Blue Jackets record first shutout in 178 games before All-Star break 31.01.2024

Aaron Portzline checks in ahead of All-Star Game, including the Blue Jackets' 1-0 victory over the Blues, a wrap up of the latest road trip, and interesting storylines ahead, as well as taking questions from listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Jiricek a healthy scratch, Macklin Celebrini, and Dubois' disaster in LA 25.01.2024

Aaron Portzline checks in ahead of Thursday night's Blue Jackets game vs the Calgary Flames to discuss the latest with the Elvis Merzlikins situation, David Jiricek being a healthy scratch, Celebrini as a the #1 pick, PLD's poor production in LA and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest on Elvis Merzlikins, Boone Jenner's return imminent, and a noisy season for the Blue Jackets 18.01.2024

Aaron Portzline checks in ahead of Friday's matchup between the Blue Jackets and Devils to discuss the latest with Elvis Merzlikins situation, fitting Boone Jenner into the roster, the noise surrounding the team this season, prospects and more as he takes questions from subscribers in this live room. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is going on with Elvis Merzlikins? 11.01.2024

Aaron Portzline, with a quick check-in, discusses the current situation with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Elvis Merzlikins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elvis Merzlikins vs. Tom Wilson headlines OT loss to Capitals 22.12.2023

Aaron Portzline checks in to recap Thursday night's OT loss to the Capitals, including Elvis Merzlikins' penalty for going off on Tom Wilson, and Pascal Vincent's post-game comments about it, and takes questions from listeners including the players' thoughts on their coach, Andrew Peeke's play, scheduling in the division and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Fantilli's homecoming as Blue Jackets prepare to face the Maple Leafs 14.12.2023

Aaron Portzline checks in on Thursday ahead of the Blue Jackets' game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Adam Fantilli's homecoming. Also, life without Boone Jenner and more as he takes questions from listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Robinson traded to Sabres, Blue Jackets injuries aplenty, blowing late leads 07.12.2023

Aaron Portzline checks in before the Blue Jackets game vs the Islanders on Thursday to discuss Eric Robinson being traded to Buffalo, injuries to Adam Boqvist, Elvis Merzlikins, and Cole Sillinger and blowing late leads before taking questions from listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cole Sillinger's injury, Kent Johnson back up with the Blue Jackets, other lineup changes and more 02.12.2023

Aaron Portzline checks in on the latest on Cole Sillinger's injury, and missing Friday's game, Kent Johnson being back with the big club, and other lineup changes including Laine's struggles before taking questions from subscribers in the this live room. Please note, this live room was recorded on Fri, Dec 1. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who owns the Blue Jackets' failures so far? 22.11.2023

Ahead of a game against Chicago, where Columbus tries to avoid setting a new franchise record for consecutive losses, Aaron Portzline checks in with Blue Jackets faithful discussing the Patrik Laine benching fallout, who owns the team's failures thus far, and more as he takes listeners' questions and comments. Please note: This live room was recorded November 22, 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Blue Jackets need to break out of early season funk 16.11.2023

Aaron Portzline checks in ahead of the Blue Jackets' game against the Coyotes Thursday night, to discuss the team's early season woes, including Johnny Gaudreau's offensive issues, a disappointing team effort against the Penguins on Tuesday, and takes listener questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blue Jackets lose four in a row, top players have yet to show up on scoresheet 02.11.2023

Aaron Portzline checks in ahead of the Blue Jackets hosting the Lightning Thursday night, discussing the 4-game losing streak, the team's stars have issues with scoring, players in Cleveland shining strong and pushing for a chance with the big club, Jack Roslovic surging and more as he takes your questions. Please note: this live room was recorded November 2, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

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