FANTILLI! Plus, a visit from John Buccigross

June 30, 2023·44 min·4 clips

Michael Ares teases the NHL draft aftermath and a bourbon tour with John Buccigross in this Blue Jackets roundtable.

This episode of Cannon Fodder covers the Columbus Blue Jackets' activities following the 2023 NHL Draft. Host Michael Ares is joined by beat writer Brian Hedger, who is reporting from Nashville, and later by ESPN's John Buccigross. The discussion centers on the team's draft selection, impending coaching news, and upcoming development camp. The hosts confirm the Blue Jackets selected center Adam Fantilli with the third overall pick in the draft. They anticipate the official hiring of Mike Babcock as the new head coach on July 1st. Development camp is scheduled to run from Sunday through Wednesday at the Chiller North facility. John Buccigross calls in from Kentucky, where he is on a bourbon tour. The show is sponsored by Buffalo Trace bourbon. Hedger provides logistical details for fans wishing to attend the development camp sessions. He notes sessions typically begin in the morning, around 9 or 10 a.m. Ares humorously notes the podcast's status as the longest-running in Columbus Dispatch history. The hosts share a minor correction, clarifying the event is now simply called the "NHL Draft" and not the "NHL Entry Draft." Hedger admits he is unsure why development camp is at Chiller North, speculating it could be due to ongoing renovations. The tone is set as a casual, insider update directly following a major league event. Buccigross's segment connects the hockey talk thematically with the bourbon sponsorship through his location. The conversation is informal and news-driven, blending verified updates with lighthearted banter. It serves as a direct briefing for dedicated Blue Jackets fans seeking the latest offseason information. Listeners not closely following the team's draft or coaching search may find the episode too niche.

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