Gaudreau is on the minds of the Blue Jackets as they prepare for their season opener against the Wild.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The legacy of Johnny Gaudreau will be at the forefront as the Columbus Blue Jackets face off against the Minnesota Wild in their season opener on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (BSWIX, BSN). "I live for Johnny," remarked Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan. "... It's a new season. He should be here. It's always going to be tough. He's my best friend. That's something we were really looking forward to, and it's something that got taken away, so it's a tough one to still navigate." Johnny and his brother, Matthew, tragically lost their lives on August 29 when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey. Johnny, who had a distinguished 11-season career in the NHL with the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames, was 31 years old. Matthew, who played professionally for five seasons in the American Hockey League, ECHL, and in Sweden, was 29. Monahan signed a five-year contract worth $27.5 million ($5.5 million average annual value) with the Blue Jackets on July 1, motivated by the desire to play alongside Johnny after spending nine seasons together with the Flames. Now, he is expected to help fill the scoring gap left by his friend and teammate. The opening night of the hockey season is often charged with emotions, and this Thursday will carry a somber tone as the NHL continues to grieve the loss of the Gaudreaus, both as players and as individuals. "It's a day-by-day process," Monahan stated. "I mean, I don't really know how I handle it. You just do. I think about it all day." Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason shared that he had the chance to spend over two hours with Johnny shortly after his hiring on July 22. "When I first got the job, I spoke with [general manager] Don Waddell and expressed that it was crucial for me to meet with one player, and that was Johnny Gaudreau, so he could see me and we could begin to build our relationship," Evason explained. "It wasn't that I didn't want to connect with every other player, but I felt it was particularly important to establish that bond."

I arranged a flight to Philadelphia and contacted him, stating, "I will be having lunch." He had just finished a session on the ice with his father and came over to join me. We spent approximately two to two and a half hours discussing the team. One significant takeaway from our meeting was the honor of connecting with him personally. Throughout our conversation, he never expressed a desire to play alongside a specific player or to focus on the power play. Instead, he emphasized his belief in the team's potential for success and his eagerness to be a part of it. He was fully committed, showing no concern for his position or line mates; his sole focus was on playing hockey and achieving victory in Columbus. "It was a remarkable honor, and I truly appreciated the opportunity." Wild coach John Hynes has coached Johnny multiple times for the United States in international competitions, most recently at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Prague. "Everything they say about him is accurate," Hynes remarked. "He is an exceptional young man. During the last World Championship, we found ourselves flying into Newark and had to go through security together. Lacking [Global Entry], he, Meredith [Johnny's wife], and I waited in line for about an hour to re-enter the country. He is a wonderful individual, and Meredith is a lovely person as well. I am grateful for the chance to coach him and to know him, but I also recognize the tragedy of the situation and appreciate how he has positively influenced my life." A pregame tribute will be held for the Gaudreaus at the Xcel Energy Center, with both teams present on the ice. This will not be the final occasion for the Blue Jackets to honor the brothers. "We have consistently communicated with our group about this, and we will continue to do so, as every team will pay tribute to Johnny and Matthew, and we will wholeheartedly embrace it," Evason stated. "This is not merely another event; we are celebrating their lives and legacies."