'What would Johnny need us to do?' How the Blue Jackets are approaching this season

WHEN SIDNEY CROSBY remembers Johnny Gaudreau, he thinks of the 2023 All-Star Recreation in Florida, sitting in gridlock visitors heading from their resort in Fort Lauderdale.

“It was myself, Johnny and [Kevin Hayes] behind the bus,” Crosby mentioned. “Haysey was mainly working the again of the bus there. I feel he talked for 40 minutes. I do not assume Johnny mentioned something, however he laughed for the complete 40 minutes.”

For Nathan MacKinnon, it is one in every of his private hockey highlights, scoring the additional time winner for Workforce North America towards Sweden on the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. MacKinnon nonetheless rewatches the clip on YouTube “fairly a bit.”

“Johnny was the one which handed it to me,” MacKinnon mentioned. “We turned fairly tight at that event and had nice chemistry on the ice. He was additionally such an amazing individual. He was by no means that critical. Simply an easygoing man, mild with a giant coronary heart.”

Jack Eichel liked being in Europe on the World Championships with Gaudreau, laughing as he struggled to learn a non-English menu.

“He’d be making an attempt to elucidate to the waiter or waitress that he simply wished a steak, a filet with potatoes. He did not need anything on it,” Eichel mentioned. “John was only a actually pure human. He did not care about good issues. The issues that mattered to him have been his household, his pals.”

Connor McDavid’s thoughts goes to epic matchups within the Battles of Alberta.

“He went at all people and had such a giant coronary heart and performed onerous, regardless of his dimension,” McDavid mentioned. “I feel he was an inspiration to numerous guys that really feel like they’re undersized. However he was so enjoyable to look at too, so expert, and so good on his edges.”

Auston Matthews thinks of the best way everybody spoke about Gaudreau.

“He is so beloved by all of his pals, his teammates, his household and the those that knew him,” Matthews mentioned. “It is type of onerous to only comprehend that Johnny and his brother are not with us.”

IT’S BEEN LESS than a month since Columbus Blue Jackets ahead Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, have been killed by a suspected drunken driver whereas driving bicycles of their native New Jersey. The tragedy’s impression is each private and far-reaching. The Gaudreaus worth household above anything, however they’ve shared their grief with the hockey group, which additionally defines itself as a household.

“Being in hockey for a very long time, I feel that is one factor that we’re happy with,” Crosby mentioned. “Our skill to rally round individuals and assist one another in conditions like this.”

That help was seen on the funeral in Pennsylvania, the place a whole bunch of NHL gamers, coaches and executives confirmed up.

As NHL coaching camps opened this week, feelings have been nonetheless uncooked, particularly in Columbus. The Blue Jackets, NHL and NHLPA have stayed in contact with the Gaudreau household, monitoring their wants whereas additionally looking for enter on memorial plans.

“We’re not doing something with Johnny or Matty’s title with out the household signing off on it,” GM Don Waddell mentioned. The staff will put on helmet decals all season that includes two doves; the concept for the doves got here instantly from pins handed out on the funeral.

Gamers have been reminded that free counseling is obtainable. There are assets throughout them, offered by the staff, the gamers affiliation and the league. However when Blue Jackets gamers arrived for medical testing on Wednesday, there was nonetheless an uneasiness of how precisely to go ahead.

“To say we all know precisely what to do, I do not assume that is honest,” captain Boone Jenner mentioned. “I do not assume there is a playbook on the market for this case and what has occurred. And that is OK. I feel we’ll be taught and lean on one another as we go on.”

As a tenet, the Blue Jackets adopted a mantra: “What would Johnny need us to do?” Columbus coach Dean Evason requested that the night time earlier than the funeral, as his management group was simply sitting round. They determined Gaudreau would have wished them to look at soccer and have a few beers. Gaudreau was identified for his simplicity. He liked his Eagles a lot, he typically signed texts with “Go Birds.”

The gamers agreed early on that it will be a disservice to Gaudreau in the event that they spent a complete season dwelling.

“He’d need us to get pleasure from coming to the rink,” defenseman Zach Werenski mentioned. “Being round our teammates and being collectively.”

ABOVE THE FAN entrance of Nationwide Area, there’s a big mural of 4 Blue Jackets gamers. Featured prominently is Gaudreau, capturing the puck. That is going to remain. Different logistical questions adopted. Because the workers ready video for coaching camp, one of many coaches requested, is it applicable to incorporate Gaudreau within the clips? Ought to we edit him out? Evason was absolute. “Johnny goes to show,” Evason mentioned. “Good and dangerous. If he did not backcheck, we’ll present it. He’ll be with us. He’ll be a presence.”

The staff is conserving Gaudreau’s locker stall intact. They may journey along with his No. 13 jersey on the highway. Sean Monahan, one in every of Gaudreau’s finest pals, will dress subsequent to the empty stall all season. Monahan was the Blue Jacket’s greatest free agent addition this summer time, signing a five-year deal on July 1.

“Everyone knows,” Waddell mentioned. “The rationale Sean determined to come back right here was due to Johnny.”

Gaudreau shocked the NHL when he selected to signal with Columbus in 2022. He was the league’s high free agent, having performed his first 9 years in Calgary and coming off a 115-point season. Then he signed a long-term deal in Columbus at a time not many different gamers would. However Gaudreau was contemplating the place he and his spouse, Meredith, wished to start out a household. Gaudreau typically instructed individuals, “Columbus is simply my cup of tea.”

Two years later, Monahan adopted him from Calgary. On the funeral, Meredith mentioned her husband copied the whole lot Monahan did. Now, it was the opposite means round. Monahan purchased a home three doorways down from the Gaudreaus.

Monahan wasn’t but prepared to talk when the staff held a candlelight vigil for Gaudreau earlier this month. And when coaching camp opened on Wednesday, he wasn’t fairly prepared both, however knew he wished to say one thing. Carrying a shirt with an image of Gaudreau and the No. 13, Monahan instructed the media: “I nonetheless do not know the precise phrases to even say.”

“There’s numerous weight on our shoulders proper now,” Monahan mentioned. “There’s an enormous loss, a particular one who’s not right here. Like I mentioned, it is on my thoughts each day, each second. We need to clearly put our greatest foot ahead and put our greatest effort on the market for Johnny.”

The primary on-ice session on Thursday ended with gamers capturing the size of the ice on an empty internet. Monahan went first and made it. Hugs and stick faucets adopted. Monahan signed to reunite with Gaudreau, but in addition to be a mentor to younger Blue Jackets facilities like Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger — whereas shielding them from harder first-line minutes. It is a function Monahan mentioned he is excited to embrace.

“[Monahan] walked into a troublesome scenario, assembly the fellows for the primary time after this occurred,” Werenski mentioned. “I give him numerous credit score. Clearly, we all know John is a giant motive why he signed right here. It goes again to that time of being collectively. We’re there for him and I feel it speeds issues up a little bit bit, the relationships. It is one of many worst instances in his life, and he is been superior to be round. In order that speaks volumes to what kind of individual he’s. As a bunch, we’re right here for him. We’ll get by this factor collectively.”

MOST PLAYERS RETURNED to Columbus over the previous a number of weeks, gathering for casual skates earlier than coaching camp. Each morning, Waddell made some extent to stroll across the locker room. He turned inspired when he witnessed some regular conversations, laughs, even chirps.

“The blokes are dealing with it significantly better than I believed they might,” Waddell mentioned. “However we all know there are going to be some robust nights all year long. Some darkish instances. And we’ll must get by them as a bunch.”

Waddell has already needed to sort out uncomfortable duties. He is nonetheless speaking with the league and gamers affiliation on how the Blue Jackets will handle the wage cap; they’re beneath the cap flooring. Final week, Columbus signed veteran James van Riemsdyk to a one-year deal. Van Riemsdyk had different alternatives, however his repute over 1,000-plus video games within the league is as individual and good teammate. For Columbus, this season is about making progress on the ice, nevertheless it’s additionally about growing the proper tradition.

So the staff continues to attempt to strike the proper tone. It’s remembering Gaudreau, but in addition understanding the significance of shifting ahead. Evason was already preaching a clear slate earlier than the tragedy. He was employed as coach this summer time, and one in every of his large focuses was to let gamers earn their spots. He instructed his workers to not inform him something concerning the gamers — their personalities, how they performed final yr, how they carried out themselves. Everyone seems to be getting a contemporary begin on the ice.

The staff postponed conventional festivities for his or her house opener, together with participant blue carpet arrivals and a fan competition, to the second sport. “It simply did not really feel proper,” Waddell mentioned.

The Oct. 15 opener at Nationwide Area might be centered on honoring the Gaudreau brothers. Everybody is ready for one more wave of feelings and know it is one other step within the grieving course of.

Stated Monahan: “I am going to miss him the remainder of my life.”