Stenlund’s play caught coach’s eye

WASHINGTON — Kevin Stenlund didn’t make the Blue Jackets’ roster out of training camp, but he did accomplish one of his goals in the preseason.

He drew the coach’s attention with a big frame, big shot and style that John Tortorella couldn't forget.

“I like the look of him,” Tortorella said Saturday before Stenlund made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals. “He’s got his ponytail and all the (stuff) like that. I just like the look of him. I’m anxious to see him play.”

Stenlund, 22, started out at right wing on the second line with Anthony Duclair and center Alexander Wennberg — whom Stenlund played with during an exhibition win against the Buffalo Sabres.

He scored a goal in that game, which took place in Clinton, New York, but couldn’t spin that performance into an NHL roster spot. He had nine goals and seven assists with the Cleveland Monsters this season before being recalled Friday.

“When you’re down there, you know it’s just a call away to get up here,” Stenlund said. “You just try to stay positive and work on your game.”

Tortorella, meanwhile, likes more than Stenlund’s man bun.

“It’s a big body, he’s got a big-league shot (and) his feet have gotten better,” Tortorella said. “When I first saw him, it’s a little deceiving just the way he skates. You might think he’s slow, but he gets there.”

Welcome back, Nasher

A day after former Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash made the end of his NHL playing career public at age 34, the team announced he would drop the ceremonial first puck Sunday at Nationwide Arena.

It’s a fitting night with the New York Rangers in town. Nash played six seasons with the Rangers after playing his first nine with the Blue Jackets.

“I loved coaching him,” said Tortorella, who coached Nash for one season (2012-13). “I loved the way he played. That’s a hard one for me, because I still think he has hockey left in him, but I’m excited. We were texting. I’m excited to see him.”

bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger