The Columbus Blue Jackets kicked off training camp Sunday, as the NHL rushes to prepare for a COVID-shortened season.
The regular season will begin January 13 with no preliminaries, and teams will face only opponents in newly-drawn geographic divisions. In order to reduce travel time and exposure, teams will play two games against the same opponent in the same week.
The team managed to reach a two-year deal with Pierre-Luc Dubois before the start of camp, but the forward has let it be known he wants out of Columbus. Still, speaking with media Sunday, Dubois says he doesn't intend to let that get in the way of playing hard this season.
The Jackets' first home game will be January 21 against the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. While the NHL has not issued a blanket ban on fans in the stands, most teams are not planning on selling tickets for the initial part of the season.
