Union and Blue
Fansided

Columbus Blue Jackets Preseason Game #2: Four Players to Watch

By Lansing Murphy

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: The Columbus Blue Jackets draft Liam Foudy in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: The Columbus Blue Jackets draft Liam Foudy in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next

Riley Nash

Columbus Blue Jackets
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Riley Nash #20 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 21, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Riley Nash /

The Columbus Blue Jackets biggest offseason signing didn’t grab headlines or turn heads in the hockey world, but it will certainly be noticed in the long run. The Jackets sured up the center position by signing Riley Nash to a three year deal worth $2.75 million per season. That is a steal for the seven year pro who scored 41 points las year with the Boston Bruins.

More from Union and Blue

Nash filled in for Patrice Bergeron as the B’s top line center when the All-Star Bergeron went down with an injury. He filled in exceptionally well alongside of Brad Marchand and David Pasternak.

Tonight he will continue his march toward becoming the teams third line center. If Nash can fill that role and play like he did for the Bruins last season, the Jackets will be very deep down the middle. Nash’s arrival will allow Brandon Dubinsky or Lukas Sedlak to become the fourth line center, an enviable situation for the team.

Nash can play in all situations and will be on the team’s penalty kill tonight. Seeing how he handles his business defensively and in the face-off dot will be key. If he shows an offensive flashes, that is all icing on the cake.

Fans will have to remind themselves all season that when they see a “Nash” skating around Nationwide Arena in union blue, its Riley, not Rick. The Columbus faithful will like what they see though tonight, and for many more nights to come, out of the new “Nash”.

Home/Editorials