Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell talks outdoor game, deadline
Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell discusses what the NHL’s stadium series matchup means for Columbus.
Historically, there have been times when Nationwide Arena has transformed into an opponent’s home away from home.
That shouldn’t be the case Saturday at Ohio Stadium, where the Blue Jackets will face the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series matchup. Despite the Red Wings’ large following as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” franchises, the expectation is the vast majority of 90,000-plus fans will be pulling for the guys with a cannon-crested jersey.
“I think it’s going to be, and I don’t know this for a fact, but 95% Blue Jackets fans,” Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell said. “I know we’ve kind of dominated the (ticket) market, which is good.
“There’ll be some Detroit fans, of course. They’ve got great, loyal fans up there. The difference is this is our first outdoor game for the Blue Jackets, where the Red Wings have played in (four) already. They’ve done this before in other venues, but I still think with the rivalry we have with Detroit that we’ll get a number of fans from … that city up North.”
Speaking of “TCUN,” Waddell is originally from the Detroit area and played collegiately at Northern Michigan University. It’s been a long time since he’s lived there, though, and his allegiance is to Columbus now — since leaving the Carolina Hurricanes to take over as the Blue Jackets’ top hockey executive last spring. Waddell has learned a lot about his new team’s makeup, traditions and history, which doesn’t include the type of long-term success that begets national exposure.
This outdoor game is the only scheduled national television appearance for the Blue Jackets this season, so they’re only guaranteed one shot to make a branding impact outside of Ohio. They’re not going to waste the opportunity.
The Blue Jackets, who lost star Johnny Gaudreau to an offseason tragedy Aug. 29 before losing some key players in October to injuries, weren’t expected to contend for a playoff spot. Instead, they’ve overcome long odds to put themselves in the thick of a playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Arguably, they are the league’s biggest “feel good” story this season.
The Jackets have a nice blend of veteran leaders plus a fast-maturing core of youngsters that gives them a chance to win every game and makes them fun to watch — and they’re about to get the NHL spotlight on a big stage.
Waddell experienced it with the Hurricanes with the 2023 stadium series matchup at North Carolina State University’s Carter-Finley Stadium, where 56,961 attended. Waddell thinks there’s even more potential for excitement within a community that has for years longed to host an outdoor game at OSU’s iconic, history-rich football cathedral on the banks of the Olentangy River.
“I know Columbus has been trying to get this game, so to be able to lock this down is not only huge for our players and fans, but the whole community of Central Ohio,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot of people here who’ve never experienced NHL hockey, so the opportunity for everybody is going to be something they’re always going to remember.
“I go to a lot of big events — Super Bowl, World Series — and the event we had (in Raleigh), the outdoor event, beat almost all of them. I think it will be the same thing here Saturday.”
Stadium Series outdoor hockey game at Ohio State: See rink constructio
Crews build the ice rink at Ohio Stadium for the Stadium Series game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings.
Waddell thinks as many as 30,000 people will be attending their first Blue Jackets game Saturday. If so, that’s a lot of first-timers who might continue following the Blue Jackets and NHL afterward.
Similar to the Hurricanes’ stadium series victory against the Washington Capitals in 2023, the Jackets and Red Wings are battling for one of two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. As of Monday, the Red Wings held the top spot at 64 points while the Blue Jackets were tied with the Ottawa Senators at 62 – sitting just outside the playoffs due to the NHL’s tiebreaker format.
The Blue Jackets and Red Wings also play Thursday in Detroit, which could add further spice to the outdoor rematch two days later.
“We’re going to enjoy all the festival atmosphere and all that, but when the puck drops, the two points are important,” Waddell said. “That’s the great thing for our fans. This game means something. It’s not an all-star game. It’s not an exhibition game. Everybody’s going to have a great time and it’s going to be a great show, but the game means something and it’s going to be a great game.”
How to attend NHL stadium series outdoor matchup at Ohio Stadium
Tickets remain for Saturday’s faceoff at Ohio Stadium. Prices for remaining tickets purchased through Ticketmaster range from $60-596, though only a handful of tickets remain for the highest price point.
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This story was updated to add a gallery.