Union and Blue
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After just two preseason games, a team identity for the Blue Jackets is becoming clearer

As surprising as this may be, the Columbus Blue Jackets still have two weeks of preseason work to complete and 47 players still at camp. Despite it still being early, the club has already shown clear signs of the type of game that head coach Dean Evason will have them play in 2024-2025.

Mike Stump|
Feb 23, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Kent Johnson (91) avoids the check of Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Feb 23, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Kent Johnson (91) avoids the check of Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images | Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
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So far this week, I have felt very blessed to live in Central Ohio. Why? For some reason, the NHL has decided to limit the live streams of preseason games on franchise websites to just the local geographical markets of the two clubs playing in that respective game. Meaning, I have been able to watch (or attend) both of the Jackets' two initial 2024-2025 NHL preseason games so far. Other members of the Union Blue team were not as lucky:

This decision makes no sense, but alas, what can we, as fans, do? Hopefully, we will see some movement on this as the Bally Sports bankruptcy proceedings move forward.

In the meantime, I had the chance to watch both games with intent and could observe some trends that the Jackets have shown so far this preseason. Let's discuss those observations.

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