How happy were Columbus fans to see their Blue Jackets back on the ice? So happy that they packed the team's practice facility for the opening day of training camp -- which began with a standing ovation from the crowd.
John Davidson, the Jackets' new president, had a simple message for his players before practice began: "We're going north." He also said the franchise's goal is to be the hardest-working team in the NHL and a club that brings high intensity every day.
"We want the fans to come watch a team that's going to work our tails off," he said.
With Rick Nash, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, gone to the New York Rangers in an offseason deal, Davidson said he's OK with a "score by committee" approach. Perhaps not surprisingly for a former goaltender, he's more concerned about how his team plays in its own zone.
"I'm more worried about keeping the puck out of the net," Davidson said. "If we do that, we'll be fine. It's obvious with our club that we're going to need four lines, and they're all going to have to do some scoring for us."
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