There's a tendency to call preseason games "meaningless."
They're just exhibition games, and they don't count towards anything in the standings. In that sense, sure, they don't have any lasting impact.
For some young players, though, they're anything but "meaningless."
For prospects, the preseason is players' first taste of NHL action, and for players like Kasper Bjorkqvist, their first professional game of any kind.
"I'm excited, for sure," Bjorkqvist said prior to tonight's preseason game against the Blue Jackets. "I don't really know what to expect. There's obviously a lot of emotions -- excitement, happiness, a little nervous as well.