Marc Denis, the Blue Jackets’ 23-year-old goaltending prospect, is entering a new chapter in his hockey career. Denis (pronounced den-EE), who is already being labeled as the Blue Jackets’ most important player, said that the team and the city of Columbus are winning him over. “I’m loving it so far,” he said. “It’s been really busy days, but I can’t complain.” Denis, who is set to marry his fiancee, Mary Jo Gagnon, in Quebec on July 15, said that he is planning to set down roots in the central Ohio community. “We didn’t have time to house shop on this trip, but I’ll certainly be putting my foot down here in late August,” he said. “Once everything is settled down, mid-August or late-August I’ll be coming back to do some house shopping.” While the Jackets have given Denis a qualifying offer, he is still not under contract for the next season. “My contract is up. We are actually renegotiating,” he said. “They qualified me on July 1, the negotiation process has now started.” Denis indicated that Columbus is likely to be his long-term home. “I have some short-term goals and long-term goals in Columbus,” he said. Denis played in 23 games for the Colorado Avalanche during the 1999-2000 NHL season. He notched a 9-8-3 record and an average of 2.54 goals against in his role as a back-up to Patrick Roy, the Avalanche’s future Hall of Fame goaltender. Denis, who is now being looked at as the Blue Jackets’ brightest future star, credits Roy with assisting in his development as an NHL player. “The thing I want to take from him is the way he handles the pressure, the way he handles every day, highs and lows, peaks and valleys,” Denis said. “That teaches you to become a good number one goaltender, which is something I want to do here with the Blue Jackets.” Denis also seems to have learned a lesson from Roy about dealing with expectations. Despite being labeled as the team’s brightest star, Denis said that he doesn’t feel that he’s under any pressure. “It’s not nerve-racking at all, it’s really flattering,” he said. “I take it as a compliment and it’s certainly exciting.” Columbus signed veteran netminder Ron Tugnutt to a four-year contract on Tuesday. Tugnutt will probably start 40-50 games this season, but there is no mistake that Denis is the future of the Blue Jackets franchise. Tugnutt, who called his fellow goaltender a “soon-to-be-star,” seemed to welcome the competition from Denis. “Marc Denis is obviously a young up-and-comer. I’ve worked with young goaltenders before and I enjoy it,” he said. “My job is to lead the way a little bit and help bring Marc along.” Denis said that the competition between himself and a veteran goaltender like Tugnutt would help improve both players’ performance. “I’m really excited about that. When goalies fight to be in nets night in and night out, it’s good for the hockey club. If that’s what they’re planning to do, that’s fine with me.” The Blue Jackets acquired Denis from the Avalanche in a trade. Columbus sent its second-round selection in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft to Colorado for the rights to Denis.