ESPN’s John Buccigross Discusses State of the Blue Jackets
John Buccigross, a long-time ESPN personality known for his extensive hockey coverage, recently shared his perspectives on the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Ohio roots, Buccigross has openly expressed his fondness for the team and his belief in their trajectory.
Buccigross's connection to Ohio is strong. Hailing from Steubenville, Ohio, he feels a sense of home when in Columbus. He fondly recalls visiting Columbus in his younger years and witnessing the city's growth alongside the Blue Jackets' emergence. He recognizes the unique bond between the team and the city's residents, noting that for many in Columbus, the Blue Jackets are an integral part of their heritage.
In a recent interview, Buccigross addressed the question of whether the Blue Jackets are truly on the rise. He estimated them to be an 87 to 94-point team and pondered several key factors, such as Adam Fantilli's potential to score 35-40 goals and whether new additions would quickly integrate into the team. He also questioned if the team would receive good goaltending. "I still don't quite understand what are they as a team. What are they?".
Buccigross was on the call for the ESPN+ broadcast of the Blue Jackets' recent game against the Edmonton Oilers, a rematch that Columbus won 5-4. This provided him with an up-close look at the team's performance and potential.
Looking back at the team's history, Buccigross remembers the excitement surrounding Columbus receiving an NHL franchise 25 years ago. He recalls attending the first game and remembers early players like Geoff Sanderson, Espen Knutsen and later, Rick Nash. He considers Nash to be one of the greatest athletes in Columbus history.
Buccigross also commented on the team's current strategy of adding players who can make an immediate impact. He acknowledged the importance of having organizational depth and the potential benefit of finding a young, cost-effective defenseman.
Notably, the Blue Jackets are scheduled to play the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium on March 1, 2025, in an outdoor game. This event is expected to be a major highlight for the team and its fans.
John Buccigross's career at ESPN has been extensive. Since joining in 1996, he has been a SportsCenter anchor and hosted "NHL 2Night". Currently, he is a play-by-play commentator for select NHL games and hosts "The Point," a weekly hockey-focused show on ESPN2. He also covers NCAA hockey and occasionally hosts "In the Crease" on ESPN+.
