Panarin, Dubois among newcomers for ambitious Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Columbus Blue Jackets will open the new season on Friday night with a new superstar, some impressive rookies and a familiar player in a new position.

The Blue Jackets hope winger Artemi Panarin, acquired in a trade with Chicago for Brandon Saad, will be the elite sniper needed to reach the next level and get deeper into the playoffs this time around.

Versatile captain Nick Foligno has been moved from wing to center to help solidify a lineup dinged by a couple injuries.

Rookie Pierre-Luc Dubois, the 19-year-old forward who was the third overall pick in the 2016 draft, made the roster. So did rookie forward Sonny Milano, a first-round pick in 2014.