Sep 16, 2015
Healthy Blue Jackets full of promise
Columbus ran into an historically bad run of injuries early and it sabotaged any real hopes of being a playoff team though, once healthy, they played hard and finished with a respectable 89 points. As TSN.ca's team preview of the Blue Jackets explains, the team comes into this season again with some expectations.
The Columbus Blue Jackets appeared to be on their way following the 2013-2014 season, earning their first playoff berth since 2009. As a result, they went into last season with expectations.
Unfortunately, the Blue Jackets ran into an historically bad run of injuries early in the season and it sabotaged any real hopes of being a playoff team though, once healthy, they played hard down the stretch and finished with a respectable 89 points.
It’s with this backdrop that the Blue Jackets come into this season, again with some expectations. After trading for Brandon Saad, Columbus has a formidable group of forwards, many of whom play a hard-driving physical game in addition to ample scoring ability. The challenge for head coach Todd Richards is how to mix and match his players now that he starts with a healthy roster.
For all of that forward depth, the Blue Jackets still have some questions on defence. David Savard has emerged as a quality performer and Jack Johnson eats up minutes (to questionable effect according to the analytics), but they really need oft-injured young blueliner Ryan Murray to fulfill his potential as a top-four defenceman.
If the defence is stable enough, Columbus’ goaltending should be in good hands with Sergei Bobrovsky, at least as long as he stays healthy, and that could have the Blue Jackets right back in postseason contention.
OFF-SEASON HEADLINES
June 30: Blackhawks ship Saad to Columbus
September 8: Blue Jackets sign D Savard to extension
2015-16 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
* Off-season Addition
Projected Lines
Fighting For Jobs: RW Josh Anderson, C Michael Chaput, C James Sheppard (PTO), C William Karlsson
Projected Pairs
Fighting For Jobs: LD Justin Falk
Projected Goalies
| No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sergei Bobrovsky | Curtis McIlhenney | Anton Forsberg |
Off-season Departures: C Artem Anisimov, C Mark Letestu, RW Marko Dano, LW Jeremy Morin, RW Corey Tropp
Projected Lineup: Aaron Portzline/Columbus Dispatch
KEY QUESTIONS
1. Can the Blue Jackets emerge from training camp unscathed?
2. Will Brandon Saad and Ryan Johansen start on the same line?
3. Is Boone Jenner poised to overtake Scott Hartnell on the second line?
BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS
Top 2015-16 Prospect
RW Oliver Bjorkstrand (Portland, WHL): Can excel in all situations. Excellent goal scorer who can make plays and is a dangerous forward.
Long-Term Prospect
D Zach Werenski (Michigan, NCAA): Excellent skater with top end vision and skill. Gets team out of D zone and contributes offensively.
* Listed with 2014-15 teams
BY THE NUMBERS
THREE-YEAR BREAKDOWN (LEAGUE RANK)
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 94 (17th) | 93 (14th) | 89 (11th) |
| Goals For | 2.4 (25th) | 2.8 (12th) | 2.8 (T-12th) |
| Goals Against | 2.4 (T-9th) | 2.6 (13th) | 3.0 (25th) |
| Power Play | 14% (28th) | 19% (11th) | 22% (5th) |
| Penalty Killing | 83% (11th) | 82% (T-14th) | 80% (23rd) |
| SAT% Possession | 47% (26th) | 50% (18th) | 47% (25th) |
* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total
ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $67.9M/$71.4M
Columbus has taken on salary in recent years – Ryan Johansen’s $4-million cap hit ranks sixth among forwards – but it’s with an eye towards finally being consistently competitive. Their five highest-paid forwards are all under contract for at least four more seasons, so get used to this core.
PARTING SHOT