Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen Does Not Believe Josh Anderson Will Play In Friday's Season Opener

By Sam Blazer on October 3, 2017 at 3:44 pm
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For the first time since Columbus Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson was signed, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen spoke to the media about the deal. 

Kekalainen explained that the process of getting Anderson signed was more about time running out than anything else.

"Well, I guess we were getting down to the crunch time there," said Kekalainen to the media (via Jackets TV). "The season starting tomorrow and we have the immigration issue obviously to take care of as well. To get Josh here on time to start the season with us, it had to be done pretty much yesterday."

Anderson scored 17 goals and added 12 assists for a total of 29 points last season, all of which were at even-strength. He is a vital part of the team and Kekalainen and co. know that, which made getting a deal done all the more important.

"He had a great first season in the NHL," Kekalainen said. "He played a good amount of games for us. He was at 12 minutes a game for us on average and scored 17 goals. That's a good rookie year."

Despite his strong play last year, Kekalainen says Anderson is going to need to get up to speed quickly, and it appears that any fans waiting anxiously for his debut will have to wait a little longer. Anderson's immigration paperwork is still in process, and he hasn't undergone the training camp fitness testing that every player must complete on John Tortorella's watch.

"I have a feeling that he will not play on Friday," Kekalainen said. "He'll have to get into practice with our team and get into the lineup. It's almost like an injured player coming back."

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