Gaudreau settling in during early days with Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau is about as good a hockey player there is, but he's not yet a seasoned veteran in one way.
The Blue Jackets' big-ticket signing in free agency has been famously shocked in the past by the cannon the Blue Jackets shoot off before games and after goals and wins, and even now, it's fair to say he's not yet familiar with the customs of explosive celebration.

He'll figure it out -- Gaudreau will contribute to plenty of goals and victories during the length of his seven-year contract signed this offseason -- but even during the Jackets' 5-1 win against Pittsburgh on Sunday night in the team's home exhibition opener, things remain a work in progress.
"It got me twice," he said of the cannon. "I'm getting there, but it got me twice. It got me on the first goal and then the end of the game. I didn't think it was coming. After the first goal, I knew the rest were coming, but I didn't know the one at the end of the game was coming."

In fact, if there was disappointment for Gaudreau -- who was often caught on video ducking at the sound of the cannon during his time with Calgary, and who acknowledged the 1857 Napoleon Civil War replica will take some getting used to -- it was that he wasn't the one who put the puck in the net Sunday.
While his line with Patrik Laine and Kent Johnson was impressive against an undermanned Pittsburgh team -- Columbus had 12 shots on goal to the Pens' four when they were on the ice -- and Gaudreau finished with three assists, he was left ruing his own missed scoring chances.
"I could have had three or four tonight," he said. "I told them on the bench, 'I swear I can score.'"
READ MORE: OhioHealth training camp hub
History, of course, shows that. Gaudreau is coming off a career year with the Flames in which he posted a 40-75-115 line to tie for second in the NHL in scoring, and he has 609 points in 602 NHL games to this point in his nine-season career. While he has said he prides himself on his passing abilities, Gaudreau can fill up nets as well, as evidenced by his career average of 29 goals per 82 games.
As a result, it's fair to say this whole thing isn't about one preseason game. There will be plenty of chances for Gaudreau to set off the cannon in the weeks, months and years to come, and early returns in OhioHealth training camp show early chemistry with Laine that could lead to the two being on one of the best lines in hockey.
To this point, the Blue Jackets are quite happy to have one of the NHL's preeminent scorers around.

"He's one of the best playmakers in the NHL," Voracek said. "On top of that he scored 40 goals last year. You don't find that many players putting up those numbers and he's been doing that consistently over the years and, like I said, he's going to help our power play, he's going to help us 5-on-5. We're building something good here and I think everybody knows it."
Much has been written about the impact of Gaudreau's signing, from the signal it sends around the NHL about the attractiveness of the Columbus market to what it means for a team reset that is centered around long-term signees Patrik Laine, Zach Werenski and Elvis Merzlikins as well as a bevy of draft picks the past few seasons that includes five first-round picks in the past two drafts.
But in the short term, first impressions have shown a player who fits into what the Jackets are trying to build. Teammates have lauded him for his ability to create space and distribute the puck on the ice, and his ability to drive offense in transition through the neutral zone was on display in the win against the Penguins.
It's easy to think about all that will come, but for now, Gaudreau is focused on the short term. He has no other option; his wife, Meredith, is due to deliver the couple's first child within the week, and he's unpacking in a new home and getting used to a new city and a new organization all at the same time.
"It's just been one day at a time right now," he said. "It's been hectic for sure. Obviously a whole new organization, new teammates, new medical staff, new PR. I'm just trying to get on a first name level basis with everyone and get to know them. It's been hectic here at the rink for sure and at home, but it's all good things. I'm super excited to be here."