Airing this out on a personal level: it's been really difficult to get excited for this hockey season. In my nearly 40 years of existence, I'm pretty sure that's the first time I've ever said that. Even when times have been tough with my favorite team, I've always found a reason to look ahead. Exciting prospects, brighter futures, or just sheer love of the game. That's not the case, this year.
42 days ago, everything hockey-related was tossed to the side when tragedy struck. We all loved Johnny Gaudreau - in fact, we still do love him. But, I don't think many of us realized just how much he and his brother Matthew meant to us and the hockey world, until it was all taken away from us.
Emotions have been all over the board since that day. Mostly shock and grief. Still, the most amazing thing in all of this has been the stories we've heard. Friends, family, teammates, and even fans have fill our hearts with warmth; even bringing the occasional laugh. That was the kind of human being Johnny Gaudreau was, and we will never forget him.
But, as they say: the show must go on. It's not going to be easy, especially not in the early part of this season. There will be tributes at every stop, giving us more time to pause and reflect on two lives that were taken from this world way too soon. Every team is sporting a patch with both Johnny's #13, and Matthew's #21. It's going to be hard for us, as fans, even those of us who never met them.
What will it be like for the players who played with him and knew him up close and personal? They will be tasked with setting aside their emotions and playing NHL games to their fullest ability. I can't even imagine.
Nevermind the standings. This team was going to be hard pressed to make any kind of playoff run this season, even with every single piece of the roster intact. After losing their best player, they also have to play without their heart and soul captain, Boone Jenner. They'll be without a budding young star in Dmitri Voronkov, as well. Not to mention depth forward Justin Danforth, who has yet to even see the ice this fall.
In summary: this is another young Blue Jackets team that has a lot to prove. More so than ever, this team already has its back up against the wall.
That doesn't mean they cannot make us proud. The best way - the only way - for this team to truly honor the Gaudreaus, is to represent them in ways that would make them and their families proud. On and off the ice, the Blue Jackets will be playing for a different cause this season.
I'll tune in to every game as I always do, and I will cheer harder for this team than I ever have. It feels like now, more than ever, this team and the "5th Line" need each other. Together, let's make the Gaudreaus proud.