The Columbus Blue Jackets have a new marketing campaign for the 2019-20 season. You might have heard about it.
This is an extremely thinly veiled shot at Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, two former members of the Columbus Blue Jackets who left last summer in free agency, as they were completely within their collectively bargained rights to do so. Fans were upset and hurt, and the team did not take it well internally. Issues dating back to last preseason include:
- A team meeting before the season to “get everything out in the open”
- Sergei Bobrovsky walked out on the team after getting pulled in Tampa Bay and was subsequently suspended for a game
- The Blue Jackets went all in at the trade deadline, acquiring Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel, Keith Kinkaid, and Adam McQuaid
- Every unrestricted free agent left in the summer
After the mass exodus (that most fans and the front office) expected, some choice quotes were used.