Kris Russell News

A season ago, the Blue Jackets could siphon the suspense from a game when carrying a lead into the third period.

When it came down to discussing the dollar value for his eight-year, $62.4-million contract extension, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash says he chose his team over money.

Each knock on the door serves as another reminder to Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock.

The numbers next to his name don't bother Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard. Good thing, too, because they haven't been pretty this season and certainly not up to his standard.

Problems with reliable backup goaltending and a productive power play were frustrating for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008-09. Improving both areas has helped them win this season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to rebound after an embarrassing loss when they welcome the Anaheim Ducks for tonight's battle at Nationwide Arena.

Radio: WBNS-AM , WWCD-FM \ \ The series The Blue Jackets are 14-29-1-7 all-time against the Red Wings , including 8-12-1-5 in Nationwide Arena.

Ward suffered a deep laceration to his left leg in the first period of the Blue Jackets' 3-2 win and was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason, who is expected to start tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes in Nationwide Arena, appears to be returning to the form that earned him the Calder Trophy last spring as the NHL's top rookie.

"I let it go this summer," Jake Voracek says of his hair. "Now, I'm just too lazy to get it cut." If Jake Voracek's game wasn't all business so far this season, the Blue Jackets might have forced the second-year left winger to visit a barber by now.

One of the best aspects of playing for the Anaheim Ducks , center Sammy Pahlsson joked yesterday, was having center Ryan Getzlaf as a teammate, not an opponent.

The Columbus Blue Jackets activated defenseman Mike Commodore from injured reserve, the club announced on Thursday.

Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson spent all last season, all offseason and most of last month's training camp looking for a right-shot defenseman who could run a power play.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Kris Russell to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2012-13 season.

Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot will carry a heavier workload while Jan Hejda recovers from a knee injury.

The long-term knee injury suffered Tuesday by Blue Jackets defenseman Jan Hejda will not hasten the return of Mike Commodore.

Amid the chaos of Thursday's 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks, Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard tried to be a calming influence.

It has been almost seven years since Dave King, the Blue Jackets' first coach, was fired.

Former Blue Jackets players Jody Shelley and Manny Malhotra have side-by-side stalls in the San Jose Sharks' dressing room.

Blue Jackets defenseman Anton Stralman, acquired in a trade with Calgary on Monday, will not play Saturday in the season opener against the Minnesota Wild in Nationwide Arena.