2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets season

2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets
Division4th Central
Conference14th Western
2003–04 record25–45–8–4
Home record17–18–4–2
Road record8–27–4–2
Goals for177
Goals against238
Team information
General managerDoug MacLean
CoachDoug MacLean (Oct-Jan)
Gerard Gallant (Jan-Apr)
CaptainLuke Richardson
Alternate captainsTodd Marchant
Geoff Sanderson (Oct-Mar)
ArenaNationwide Arena
Average attendance17,369
Minor league affiliate(s)Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
Dayton Bombers (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals (UHL)
Team leaders
GoalsRick Nash (41)
AssistsDavid Vyborny (31)
PointsRich Nash (57)
Penalty minutesJody Shelley (228)
Plus/minusAaron Johnson (-2)
WinsMarc Denis (21)
Goals against averageMarc Denis (2.56)

The 2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets season was the Blue Jackets' fourth season in the NHL, as the team was coming off of a 29–42–8–3 record in the 2002–03 season, earning 69 points to finish in last place in the Western Conference for the second-straight year.

Off-season

Columbus would undergo some changes during the off-season, as leading scorer and team captain Ray Whitney would leave to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. The Blue Jackets named veteran defenseman Luke Richardson the third captain in franchise history.[1]

Regular season

The Blue Jackets would get off to a solid start in 2003–04, winning three of their first four games, though the club would eventually go on a seven-game losing streak to quickly fall out of playoff contention. Columbus would continue to struggle, and General Manager and Head Coach Doug MacLean announced on January 1, 2004, that he would step down from head coaching duties, naming Blue Jackets assistant coach and former NHL player Gerard Gallant as his replacement.[2] Columbus posted a 9–21–4–3 record under MacLean. While the Blue Jackets would play better hockey with Gallant behind the bench, the team would fail once again to earn a playoff spot, as they finished the season with a 25–45–8–4 record for 62 points—seven fewer than the previous season—and finish 29 points the Nashville Predators for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Columbus, however, climbed out of the basement in the Central Division for the first time in franchise history after finishing ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Rick Nash had a memorable season, finishing in a three-way tie with Ilya Kovalchuk from the Atlanta Thrashers and Jarome Iginla from the Calgary Flames to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the League's highest goal-scorer; he scored a club-record 41 goals and finished with a team-best 57 points. David Vyborny led the Blue Jackets with 31 assists and finished second to Nash with 53 points. Rookie Nikolai Zherdev also contributed a solid 34 points in 57 games. On defense, Anders Eriksson led the Jackets with 27 points, while Jaroslav Spacek contributed with 22 points in just 58 games. Jody Shelley provided the team toughness, earning a team-high 228 penalty minutes.

In goal, Marc Denis was the team's number one, playing a team-high 66 games, winning 21 of them, posting a team best 2.56 goals against average (GAA) and earning five shutouts.

The Blue Jackets would finish the season having tied the Dallas Stars for most times shut-out, with 11.[3]

Season standings

Central Division[4]
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 1 Detroit Red Wings 82 48 21 11 2 255 189 109
2 7 St. Louis Blues 82 39 30 11 2 191 198 91
3 8 Nashville Predators 82 38 29 11 4 216 217 91
4 14 Columbus Blue Jackets 82 25 45 8 4 177 238 62
5 15 Chicago Blackhawks 82 20 43 11 8 188 259 59

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[5]
R Div GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 P- Detroit Red Wings CE 82 48 21 11 2 255 189 109
2 Y- San Jose Sharks PA 82 43 21 12 6 255 183 104
3 Y- Vancouver Canucks NW 82 43 24 10 5 235 194 101
4 X- Colorado Avalanche NW 82 40 22 13 7 236 198 100
5 X- Dallas Stars PA 82 41 26 13 2 194 175 97
6 X- Calgary Flames NW 82 42 30 7 3 200 176 94
7 X- St. Louis Blues CE 82 39 30 11 2 191 198 91
8 X- Nashville Predators CE 82 38 29 11 4 216 217 91
8.5
9 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 36 29 12 5 221 208 89
10 Minnesota Wild NW 82 30 29 20 3 188 183 83
11 Los Angeles Kings PA 82 28 29 16 9 205 217 81
12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PA 82 29 35 10 8 184 213 76
13 Phoenix Coyotes PA 82 22 36 18 6 188 245 68
14 Columbus Blue Jackets CE 82 25 45 8 4 177 238 62
15 Chicago Blackhawks CE 82 20 43 11 8 188 259 59

Divisions: CE – Central, PA – Pacific, NW – Northwest

P – Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot


Schedule and results

2003–04 regular season[6]
October: 3–6–0–1 (home: 3–2–0–0; road: 0–4–0–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Recap
1 October 9 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–2 Atlanta Thrashers 0–1–0–0 0 Recap
2 October 11 New York Rangers 0–5 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–1–0–0 2 Recap
3 October 13 Vancouver Canucks 2–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–1–0–0 4 Recap
4 October 16 Chicago Blackhawks 1–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–1–0–0 6 Recap
5 October 18 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–3 Nashville Predators 3–2–0–0 6 Recap
6 October 22 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–4 Detroit Red Wings 3–3–0–0 6 Recap
7 October 23 Tampa Bay Lightning 1–0 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–4–0–0 6 Recap
8 October 25 Dallas Stars 3–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–5–0–0 6 Recap
9 October 28 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–6 Vancouver Canucks 3–6–0–0 6 Recap
10 October 30 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–4 Edmonton Oilers 3–6–0–1 7 Recap
November: 4–6–3–0 (home: 4–2–2–0; road: 0–4–1–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Recap
11 November 1 Columbus Blue Jackets 0–3 Calgary Flames 3–7–0–1 7 Recap
12 November 7 Atlanta Thrashers 2–4 Columbus Blue Jackets 4–7–0–1 9 Recap
13 November 9 Calgary Flames 3–4 Columbus Blue Jackets 5–7–0–1 11 Recap
14 November 11 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–1 Montreal Canadiens 5–7–1–1 12 Recap
15 November 13 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–5 Ottawa Senators 5–8–1–1 12 Recap
16 November 14 Boston Bruins 4–0 Columbus Blue Jackets 5–9–1–1 12 Recap
17 November 16 Phoenix Coyotes 2–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 5–9–2–1 13 Recap
18 November 19 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–5 Detroit Red Wings 5–10–2–1 13 Recap
19 November 20 Detroit Red Wings 0–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 6–10–2–1 15 Recap
20 November 22 New York Islanders 1–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 7–10–2–1 17 Recap
21 November 25 Edmonton Oilers 3–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 7–10–3–1 18 Recap
22 November 26 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–4 Nashville Predators 7–11–3–1 18 Recap
23 November 29 Washington Capitals 5–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 7–12–3–1 18 Recap
December: 2–9–1–2 (home: 1–6–1–1; road: 1–3–0–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Recap
24 December 2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 1–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 8–12–3–1 20 Recap
25 December 4 Nashville Predators 4–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 8–13–3–1 20 Recap
26 December 6 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–5 Colorado Avalanche 8–14–3–1 20 Recap
27 December 10 Philadelphia Flyers 1–1 Columbus Blue Jackets 8–14–4–1 21 Recap
28 December 12 St. Louis Blues 3–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 8–14–4–2 22 Recap
29 December 13 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins 8–15–4–2 22 Recap
30 December 16 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–2 St. Louis Blues 8–15–4–3 23 Recap
31 December 19 Calgary Flames 2–1 Columbus Blue Jackets 8–16–4–3 23 Recap
32 December 20 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–5 Minnesota Wild 8–17–4–3 23 Recap
33 December 23 Phoenix Coyotes 2–1 Columbus Blue Jackets 8–18–4–3 23 Recap
34 December 26 Columbus Blue Jackets 4–1 Chicago Blackhawks 9–18–4–3 25 Recap
35 December 27 Dallas Stars 4–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 9–19–4–3 25 Recap
36 December 29 St. Louis Blues 3–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 9–20–4–3 25 Recap
37 December 31 San Jose Sharks 1–0 Columbus Blue Jackets 9–21–4–3 25 Recap
January: 6–6–3–0 (home: 4–2–1–0; road: 2–4–2–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Recap
38 January 2 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–0 Tampa Bay Lightning 10–21–4–3 27 Recap
39 January 3 Columbus Blue Jackets 0–1 Florida Panthers 10–22–4–3 27 Recap
40 January 6 Columbus Blue Jackets 0–6 Colorado Avalanche 10–23–4–3 27 Recap
41 January 8 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–2 San Jose Sharks 11–23–4–3 29 Recap
42 January 10 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–2 Los Angeles Kings 11–23–5–3 30 Recap
43 January 11 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 11–23–6–3 31 Recap
44 January 15 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–5 St. Louis Blues 11–24–6–3 31 Recap
45 January 16 Los Angeles Kings 2–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 12–24–6–3 33 Recap
46 January 18 Edmonton Oilers 4–4 Columbus Blue Jackets 12–24–7–3 34 Recap
47 January 21 St. Louis Blues 1–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 13–24–7–3 36 Recap
48 January 22 Columbus Blue Jackets 0–7 Chicago Blackhawks 13–25–7–3 36 Recap
49 January 24 Chicago Blackhawks 3–4 Columbus Blue Jackets 14–25–7–3 38 Recap
50 January 27 New Jersey Devils 4–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 14–26–7–3 38 Recap
51 January 29 Nashville Predators 6–4 Columbus Blue Jackets 14–27–7–3 38 Recap
52 January 31 Minnesota Wild 1–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 15–27–7–3 40 Recap
February: 4–7–1–1 (home: 3–1–0–1; road: 1–6–1–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Recap
53 February 2 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–3 Phoenix Coyotes 15–27–8–3 41 Recap
54 February 4 Columbus Blue Jackets 0–1 Dallas Stars 15–28–8–3 41 Recap
55 February 11 Los Angeles Kings 2–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 16–28–8–3 43 Recap
56 February 12 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–4 Toronto Maple Leafs 16–29–8–3 43 Recap
57 February 14 San Jose Sharks 2–1 Columbus Blue Jackets 16–29–8–4 44 Recap
58 February 16 Nashville Predators 2–4 Columbus Blue Jackets 17–29–8–4 46 Recap
59 February 18 Columbus Blue Jackets 1–3 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 17–30–8–4 46 Recap
60 February 20 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–3 Phoenix Coyotes 17–31–8–4 46 Recap
61 February 21 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–4 Los Angeles Kings 17–32–8–4 46 Recap
62 February 23 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–4 San Jose Sharks 17–33–8–4 46 Recap
63 February 25 Chicago Blackhawks 4–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 17–34–8–4 46 Recap
64 February 27 Columbus Blue Jackets 4–3 Chicago Blackhawks 18–34–8–4 48 Recap
65 February 28 Colorado Avalanche 4–5 Columbus Blue Jackets 19–34–8–4 50 Recap
March: 5–10–0–0 (home: 2–4–0–0; road: 3–6–0–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Recap
66 March 2 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–0 Carolina Hurricanes 20–34–8–4 52 Recap
67 March 3 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–4 Dallas Stars 20–35–8–4 52 Recap
68 March 6 Vancouver Canucks 4–0 Columbus Blue Jackets 20–36–8–4 52 Recap
69 March 8 Carolina Hurricanes 4–1 Columbus Blue Jackets 20–37–8–4 52 Recap
70 March 11 Detroit Red Wings 4–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 20–38–8–4 52 Recap
71 March 13 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–5 St. Louis Blues 20–39–8–4 52 Recap
72 March 14 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–3 Minnesota Wild 20–40–8–4 52 Recap
73 March 16 Columbus Blue Jackets 2–3 Edmonton Oilers 20–41–8–4 52 Recap
74 March 18 Columbus Blue Jackets 0–2 Calgary Flames 20–42–8–4 52 Recap
75 March 21 Columbus Blue Jackets 5–4 Vancouver Canucks 21–42–8–4 54 Recap
76 March 24 Minnesota Wild 0–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 22–42–8–4 56 Recap
77 March 26 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 1–3 Columbus Blue Jackets 23–42–8–4 58 Recap
78 March 27 Columbus Blue Jackets 3–2 Nashville Predators 24–42–8–4 60 Recap
79 March 29 Columbus Blue Jackets 0–6 Buffalo Sabres 24–43–8–4 60 Recap
80 March 31 Detroit Red Wings 3–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 24–44–8–4 60 Recap
April: 1–1–0–0 (home: 0–1–0–0; road: 1–0–0–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Recap
81 April 2 Colorado Avalanche 4–2 Columbus Blue Jackets 24–45–8–4 60 Recap
82 April 3 Columbus Blue Jackets 4–1 Detroit Red Wings 25–45–8–4 62 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)   Overtime loss (1 point)

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blue Jackets only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blue Jackets only.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
61 Rick Nash LW 80 41 16 57 −35 87
9 David Vyborny RW 82 22 31 53 −26 40
13 Nikolai Zherdev RW 57 13 21 34 −11 54
26 Todd Marchant C 77 9 25 34 −17 34
10 Trevor Letowski RW 73 15 17 32 −12 16
8 Geoff Sanderson‡ LW 67 13 16 29 −9 34
2 Anders Eriksson† D 66 7 20 27 −6 18
25 Andrew Cassels C 58 6 20 26 −24 26
27 Manny Malhotra† C 56 12 13 25 −5 24
3 Jaroslav Spacek D 58 5 17 22 −13 45
28 Tyler Wright C 68 9 9 18 −19 63
5 Darryl Sydor‡ D 49 2 13 15 −19 26
44 Rostislav Klesla D 47 2 11 13 −16 27
20 Lasse Pirjeta‡ C 57 2 8 10 −6 20
23 Derrick Walser D 27 1 8 9 −6 22
47 Aaron Johnson D 29 2 6 8 −2 32
16 Alexander Svitov† C 29 2 6 8 −8 16
15 Duvie Westcott D 34 0 7 7 −15 39
45 Jody Shelley LW 76 3 3 6 −10 228
22 Luke Richardson D 64 1 5 6 −11 48
42 Mark Hartigan C 9 1 3 4 −2 6
21 Espen Knutsen‡ C 14 0 4 4 −5 2
7 Scott Lachance D 77 0 4 4 −23 44
46 Tim Jackman RW 19 1 2 3 −7 16
17 David Ling RW 50 1 2 3 −3 98
32 Kent McDonell RW 29 1 2 3 −7 36
38 Andrej Nedorost LW 9 2 0 2 0 6
41 Brad Moran C 2 1 1 2 −1 2
30 Marc Denis G 66 0 2 2 10
24 Todd Rohloff‡ D 24 0 2 2 −12 8
49 Dan Fritsche C 19 1 0 1 −5 12
19 Brian Holzinger† C 13 1 0 1 −4 2
36 Don MacLean C 4 1 0 1 −1 0
33 Jeremy Reich LW 9 0 1 1 −3 20
37 Darrel Scoville D 8 0 1 1 −4 6
40 Fred Brathwaite G 21 0 0 0 2
34 Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre‡ D 16 0 0 0 −3 12
18 Zenith Komarniski† D 2 0 0 0 0 0
31 Pascal Leclaire G 2 0 0 0 0
14 Greg Mauldin C 6 0 0 0 −2 4
19 Joe Motzko RW 2 0 0 0 0 0
39 Mike Pandolfo LW 3 0 0 0 −2 0
6 Jamie Pushor†‡ D 7 0 0 0 −2 2

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
30 Marc Denis 66 21 36 7 1970 162 2.56 .918 5 3796
40 Fred Brathwaite 21 4 11 1 574 59 3.37 .897 0 1050
31 Pascal Leclaire 2 0 2 0 69 7 3.53 .899 0 119

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy Rick Nash[a] [7]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Rick Nash [8]
NHL Offensive Player of the Week David Vyborny (March 1) [9]
NHL YoungStars Game selection Nikolay Zherdev [10]
Team Foundation Community Service Award Luke Richardson [11]
Three Stars Award Rick Nash [11]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Dan Fritsche October 9, 2003 [12]
Aaron Johnson December 2, 2003
Nikolay Zherdev
Tim Jackman December 20, 2003
Jeremy Reich January 21, 2004
Joe Motzko February 2, 2004
Pascal Leclaire February 20, 2004
Greg Mauldin March 26, 2004
Mike Pandolfo

Transactions

The Blue Jackets were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.[13]

Trades

Date Details Ref
June 22, 2003 (2003-06-22) To Carolina Hurricanes
  • 4th-round pick in 2004
 To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • 5th-round pick in 2003
  • 6th-round pick in 2003
 [14]
To Los Angeles Kings
  • 9th-round pick in 2004
 To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • 9th-round pick in 2003
 [14]
July 22, 2003 (2003-07-22) To Dallas Stars
To Columbus Blue Jackets
[15]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03) To Boston Bruins
To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • 6th-round pick in 2004
 [16]
October 30, 2003 (2003-10-30) To Vancouver Canucks
To Columbus Blue Jackets
[17]
December 31, 2003 (2003-12-31) To Atlanta Thrashers
To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Future considerations
 [18]
January 23, 2004 (2004-01-23) To New York Rangers
To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • 8th-round pick in 2004
 [19]
January 27, 2004 (2004-01-27) To Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Darryl Sydor
  • 4th-round pick in 2004
 To Columbus Blue Jackets
[20]
February 10, 2004 (2004-02-10) To Pittsburgh Penguins
To Columbus Blue Jackets
[21]
March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09) To Pittsburgh Penguins
To Columbus Blue Jackets
[22]
To Vancouver Canucks
To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • 3rd-round pick in 2004
 [23]

Players acquired

Date Player Former team Term Via Ref
July 3, 2003 (2003-07-03) Trevor Letowski Vancouver Canucks multi-year Free agency [24]
Todd Marchant Edmonton Oilers multi-year Free agency [24]
July 15, 2003 (2003-07-15) Mark Hartigan Atlanta Thrashers 1-year Free agency [25]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05) Todd Rohloff Washington Capitals 1-year Free agency [26]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03) Travis Green Toronto Maple Leafs Waiver draft [16]
October 10, 2003 (2003-10-10) Anders Eriksson Toronto Maple Leafs 1-year Free agency [27]
November 21, 2003 (2003-11-21) Manny Malhotra Dallas Stars Waivers [28]
December 10, 2003 (2003-12-10) Jamie Pushor Syracuse Crunch (AHL) 1-year Free agency [29]
April 12, 2004 (2004-04-12) Prestin Ryan University of Maine (HE) 1-year Free agency [30]
April 19, 2004 (2004-04-19) Brandon Sugden Syracuse Crunch (AHL) 1-year[b] Free agency [31]

Players lost

Date Player New team Via[c] Ref
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01) Radim Bicanek[d] Contract expiration (UFA) [32]
Jean-Francois Labbe HC Lada Togliatti (RSL) Free agency (VI) [34]
Jonathan Schill[e] Contract expiration (UFA) [32]
July 7, 2003 (2003-07-07) Darren Van Impe Hamburg Freezers (DEL) Free agency (UFA) [36]
July 15, 2003 (2003-07-15) Matt Davidson Calgary Flames Free agency (VI) [37]
July 29, 2003 (2003-07-29) Ray Whitney Detroit Red Wings Free agency (III) [38]
August 9, 2003 (2003-08-09) Paul Manning Hamburg Freezers (DEL) Free agency (II)[f] [40]
September 10, 2003 (2003-09-10) Jamie Allison Nashville Predators Free agency (UFA) [41]
Mathieu Darche Nashville Predators Free agency (VI) [41]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03) Petr Tenkrat Toronto Maple Leafs Waiver draft [16]
October 9, 2003 (2003-10-09) Dan Watson Providence Bruins (AHL) Free agency (UFA) [42]
October 10, 2003 (2003-10-10) Blake Bellefeuille Providence Bruins (AHL) Free agency (VI) [43]
December 16, 2003 (2003-12-16) Espen Knutsen Valerenga (Norway)[g] Buyout [45]
January 9, 2004 (2004-01-09) Todd Rohloff Washington Capitals Waivers [46]
May 12, 2004 (2004-05-12) Derrick Walser Eisbaren Berlin (DEL) Free agency[h] [48]

Signings

Date Player Term Contract type Ref
June 12, 2003 (2003-06-12) Pauli Levokari 1-year[b] Re-signing [49]
Donald MacLean 1-year[b] Re-signing [49]
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01) Andrew Cassels multi-year Re-signing [50]
July 15, 2003 (2003-07-15) Aleksandr Guskov multi-year Entry-level [25]
July 18, 2003 (2003-07-18) Darrel Scoville Re-signing [51]
Derrick Walser Re-signing [51]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24) David Ling Re-signing [52]
Brad Moran Re-signing [52]
August 13, 2003 (2003-08-13) Kent McDonell Re-signing [53]
Jeremy Reich Re-signing [53]
August 15, 2003 (2003-08-15) Nikolay Zherdev multi-year Entry-level [54]
August 26, 2003 (2003-08-26) Karl Goehring Re-signing [55]
October 6, 2003 (2003-10-06) Dan Fritsche multi-year Entry-level [56]
March 19, 2004 (2004-03-19) Steven Goertzen multi-year Entry-level [57]
April 19, 2004 (2004-04-19) Greg Mauldin multi-year Entry-level [31]
May 26, 2004 (2004-05-26) Jody Shelley 2-year Re-signing [58]
June 1, 2004 (2004-06-01) Tim Konsorada multi-year Entry-level [59]
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen multi-year Entry-level [59]

Draft picks

Columbus' draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.[60]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 4 Nikolai Zherdev  Russia CSKA Moscow (Russia)
2 46 Dan Fritsche  United States Sarnia Sting (OHL)
3 71 Dmitri Kosmachev  Russia CSKA Moscow (Russia)
4 103 Kevin Jarman  Canada Stouffville Spirit (OPJHL)
4 104 Philippe Dupuis  Canada Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)
5 138 Arsi Piispanen  Finland Jokerit (Finland)
6 168 Marc Methot  Canada London Knights (OHL)
7 200 Alexander Guskov  Russia Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
8 233 Mathieu Gravel  Canada Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
9 283 Trevor Hendrikx  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Notes

  1. ^ Shared with Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers and Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames
  2. ^ a b c Club option for a second year.
  3. ^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[32]
  4. ^ Bicanek was inactive during the 2003–04 season.[33]
  5. ^ Schill retired.[35]
  6. ^ Columbus retained Manning’s NHL rights through the 2006–07 season.[39]
  7. ^ Knutsen signed with Valerenga on December 17.[44]
  8. ^ Columbus retained Walser’s NHL rights until trading them to the Carolina Hurricanes on July 30, 2005.[47]

References

  • "Columbus Blue Jackets 2003–04 roster and statistics". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  • "2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  • National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
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  3. ^ "2003-04 NHL Schedule and Results | Hockey-Reference.com". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  4. ^ "2003-2004 Division Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  5. ^ "2003–2004 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  6. ^ "2003-04 Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule and Results". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  8. ^ "2004 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
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  10. ^ "2004 YoungStars Game rosters". ESPN.com. January 24, 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Columbus Blue Jackets 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.301
  12. ^ "2003-04 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  13. ^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "BLUE JACKETS SELECT SEVEN MORE PLAYERS ON FINAL DAY OF 2003 NHL ENTRY DRAFT AT NASHVILLE'S GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER". Columbus Blue Jackets. June 22, 2003. Archived from the original on October 28, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  15. ^ "BLUE JACKETS ACQUIRE TWO-TIME ALL-STAR DEFENSEMAN DARRYL SYDOR FROM DALLAS". Columbus Blue Jackets. July 22, 2003. Archived from the original on October 28, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "BLUE JACKETS ACQUIRE SIXTH ROUND PICK FROM BOSTON BRUINS". Columbus Blue Jackets. October 3, 2003. Archived from the original on October 29, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "BLUE JACKETS SIGN ACQUIRE PROSPECT ZENITH KOMARNISKI FROM VANCOUVER IN EXCHANGE FOR SEAN PRONGER". Columbus Blue Jackets. October 30, 2003. Archived from the original on October 29, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  18. ^ "BLUE JACKETS TRADE RW/D JEAN-LUC GRAND-PIERRE TO ATLANTA THRASHERS IN EXCHANGE FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS". Columbus Blue Jackets. December 31, 2003. Archived from the original on October 29, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
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