Jackets GM eyes season amid grief for Gaudreau

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Listening to the acquainted sounds of clacking sticks and pucks banging off the boards and glass whereas watching Columbus Blue Jackets prospects from the stands of a chilly rink on a heat late-summer afternoon was not sufficient to clean away the lingering residuals of grief for Don Waddell on Saturday.

That, the Blue Jackets’ normal supervisor acknowledged, will take extra time than anybody can guess — weeks, months, maybe a whole season and past.

What mattered is how spending the weekend attending the Sabres Prospects Problem represented a begin to what Waddell referred to as among the many first steps in refocusing on hockey and the longer term within the aftermath of Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew’s deaths when struck by a suspected drunken driver whereas using bicycles on Aug 29.

“We received to play hockey,” Waddell mentioned. “We’re not going to neglect about Johnny and his household, the Gaudreau household.”

He then mirrored on the speech Johnny Gaudreau’s spouse, Meredith, made in the course of the brothers’ funeral on Monday, by urging these in mourning to maneuver ahead as she is going to in specializing in elevating her kids.

“All people is aware of that Johnny desires them to play hockey,” Waddell mentioned. “And all people’s rallying round that.”

The resumption of hockey in Columbus started final week, when most Blue Jackets gamers returned to their facility to be collectively and lean on one another on the urging of Waddell and group captain Boone Jenner. And it’ll proceed on Thursday, when the group opens coaching camp, precisely three weeks for the reason that Gaudreaus had been killed.

“Tragic. Mindless. However now we received to give attention to making an attempt to get our group able to play hockey this yr,” Waddell mentioned. “All of us mourn and heal otherwise, however I feel as a group being collectively like that’s going to be important for them to get transferring ahead.”

Tragedy is not any stranger to Waddell or the Blue Jackets.

Waddell was normal supervisor of the then-Atlanta Flames in 2003 when Dany Heatley misplaced management of his automotive and struck a wall, with the crash killing passenger and teammate Dan Snyder. In 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died throughout a July Fourth fireworks accident.

Waddell positioned the emphasis on himself and coach Dean Evason — each newcomers to Columbus this offseason — to information the group by means of what shall be an emotional season.

“Now, do I feel there’s going to be some darkish days? I will not be stunned,” Waddell mentioned.

Reminders of the Gaudreaus’ deaths stay obvious, and mirrored in Buffalo on Friday night time. A second of silence was held in tribute to the brothers earlier than the opening faceoff of a recreation between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.

Afterward, Columbus prospect Gavin Brindley recalled the instances he spent with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus and as teammates representing america on the world hockey championships within the Czech Republic in Could.

“He was one of many largest mentors for me on the world championships,” Brindley mentioned. “I could not let you know what number of instances we frolicked with Meredith, footage on my telephone. It is simply so arduous to look again and see that form of stuff.”

The NHL and NHL Gamers’ Affiliation are offering the Blue Jackets assist in the type of grief counseling, crowd safety at vigils and addressing hockey points, equivalent to probably altering the league’s wage cap guidelines to offer Columbus aid from having to succeed in the NHL minimal payroll due to the void left by Gaudreau’s contract.

“The Blue Jackets, I do not assume anyone’s targeted from an organizational standpoint, from a hockey standpoint as to what comes subsequent, as a result of I feel all people’s nonetheless in shock,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman instructed The Related Press final week. “I do not assume anyone’s targeted proper now apart from on the grieving half, which is comprehensible.”

A lot of the burden has fallen to Waddell, who has been in discussions with the NHL, the NHLPA and coping with outreach packages with the Blue Jackets companion OhioHealth, whereas additionally overseeing preparations for coaching camp and gauging his prospects in Buffalo.

There’s additionally his roster to take care of, which he mentioned has two openings at ahead, one involving Justin Danforth, who could miss the beginning of the season resulting from a wrist harm. Waddell did not have to say the second opening.

Tiring and emotional as it has been, Waddell discovered consolation being in his aspect, a rink, and waiting for the beginning of coaching camp.

“The blokes are in actually fine condition. We have carried out loads of testing already they usually’re desperate to get going,” Waddell mentioned. “Now we have a cause to play for. And we’ll make the perfect of it.”