Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Ian Cole Facing his old Team
For the first time all year, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ian Cole will face his old team.
Ian Cole has only played 18 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets but he is a tried and true Jacket at this point. He has settled in with David Savard to form one of the best second pairings in the NHL. Cole has solidified the backend and discussions of whether or not to sign the “rental” defenseman have begun to stir among the fanbase.
Thursday night’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins will be a monumental one for both the CBJ and Cole. He will face his former team for the first time since arriving in Columbus.
Cole will attempt to shut down one of the most potent offenses in the NHL while donning the union blue, a color he used to torment as a member of the Pens. With uncertainty in the backend with Nutivaara still injured and Jack Johnson‘s subpar play, the Cole-Savard pair will be eating up a ton of minutes on Thursday.
More from Union and Blue
- Blaming Columbus Blue Jacket Players for Babcock Fallout is Unfair
- The Mike Babcock Experiment in Columbus Has Failed
- Blue Jacket Prospects Win Traverse City Tournament: Who Stood Out?
- Mike Babcock Resigns as CBJ Head Coach: Reaction
- New Claims Bring Higher Level of Concern to Babcock Situation
Battle for the Blue Jackets
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Jason Mackey, Cole described looking forward to the game and the “battle” that will certainly take place on Thursday.
"“There will be a lot of mixed emotions with a lot of guys that I really have a ton of respect for and care for a lot. That being said, it’s going to be a battle.”"
A battle for the second spot in the Metro and a preview of a playoff matchup that seems inevitable for the Columbus Blue Jackets is exactly why they acquired Cole. Cole brings 56 postseason games worth of experience to a blue line whose most experienced skater had less than half of that.
Cole has provided much needed leadership, bringing a strong, vocal presence on and off the ice. Add on top of that some offensive production with two goals and five assist in 18 games and it was an exceptional trade at the low cost of Nick Moutrey and a 2020 third round pick.
Next: CBJ Screwed by Goaltender Interference Review
Tomorrow will be quite the showdown between the Pens and Columbus Blue Jackets. Cole playing against his old team will be one of many storylines to keep an eye on.