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Columbus signs Klesla just in time
Just 10 minutes before the deadline for signing rookies was to expire on Monday, the Blue Jackets' signed its first amateur draft pick, Rostislav Klesla, to a three-year contract. The defenseman's new deal could be worth $6 million if all of his incentives are activated, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The paper reported Klesla will make $1.075 million – divided equally between salary and the signing bonus – in each of the three years of his contract. If Klesla didn't sign before the deadline, he would've returned to his junior team. "I'm happy this is done, and I'm just looking forward to playing on the team and (will) do my best," he said. The 18-year-old Klesla was the fourth overall pick in the 2000 draft. In his first season of major junior hockey with Brampton of the OHL, Klesla finished with 45 points in 67 games.
NHL Preview: Ready for the rigors of expansion
President/general manager Doug MacLean spent a couple of years before the Blue Jackets even took the ice, setting the groundwork for a successful franchise in a new city. Now that their inaugural season is here, MacLean is hoping his efforts will have paid off. But as everyone knows, it's plenty tough to be a first-year expansion team.
ESPN.com's NHL Preview index
Tugnutt to chat on Wednesday
Goalie Ron Tugnutt will stop by to talk about the upcoming season on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Tugnutt joins the Blue Jackets after spending last season with both the Senators and Penguins. Tugnutt shined in the postseason with Pittsburgh, leading all goalies in save percentage and placing second in GAA. Feel free to leave your questions now and we will save them for his arrival.
A teacher returns to class
| |  | | Dave King has a second chance in Columbus. |
Each morning as Dave King heads downtown to his job, he glances around at other drivers on their way to a day of 9-to-5 drudgery. Then he smiles to himself. Even though his hours are longer, there's seldom a night, weekend or holiday off and there's plenty of pressure, the coach of the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets couldn't be happier.
News and notes
The Blue Jackets assigned center Blake Bellefeuille to Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Friday. … NHL players from all 30 teams will once again showcase their skills in the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills program culminating at the 2001 NHL All-Star Weekend in Denver. Columbus' program will take place on Jan. 13. The program is made up of five intrasquad competitions: Puck Control Relay, Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot, Accuracy Shooting and Breakaway Relay.
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BLUE JACKETS PRESEASON SCHEDULE
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Fri., Sept. 15
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Pittsburgh 3, Columbus 2
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Sun., Sept. 17
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Columbus 4, Nashville 2
at Dayton, Ohio
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Wed., Sept. 20
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Columbus 5, Detroit 2
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Fri., Sept. 22
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Buffalo 2, Columbus 1
at Syracuse, N.Y.
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Sat., Sept. 23
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Buffalo 4, Columbus 3
at Rochester, N.Y.
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Tue., Sept. 26
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N.Y. Rangers 4, Columbus 4
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Wed., Sept. 27
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Pittsburgh 5, Columbus 2
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Fri., Sept. 29
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Florida 3, Columbus 0
at Cincinnati, Ohio
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Sat., Sept. 30
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Columbus 4, Florida 3
at Louisville, Ky.
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All times ET
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Complete 2000 NHL preseason schedule
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
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18
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19
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20
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21
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Complete schedule...
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