Blue Jackets continue work to get back to action

The Blue Jackets continue to progress through Phase 2 of the NHL's return to play protocol, with Nationwide Arena and the OhioHealth Ice Haus open for the third week of on-ice skates and off-ice workouts for Columbus players.

So far, 10 players - forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Riley Nash, Gustav Nyquist, and Liam Foudy; defensemen Seth Jones, Scott Harrington and Andrew Peeke; and goaltenders Matiss Kivlenieks and Elvis Merzlikins - have joined the on-ice workouts that, as of last Thursday, also include assistant coaches Brad Larsen, Kenny McCudden and Manny Legace. Players were originally broken into groups of six but were allowed to skate in groups as big as 12 starting Tuesday.

Off the ice, workouts of six players at a time also continue with social distancing protocols in place as the team and league attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Phase 3 of the return to play plan, which includes the opening of formal training camps, is slated to begin July 10. The Blue Jackets are drawn against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a best-of-five qualifying series for the Stanley Cup Playoffs when play resumes at a to-be-determined date.

Watch the video above for scenes from the team's on-ice workouts earlier this week.