In the 2016-2017 NHL Season, the Columbus Blue Jackets had their most successful year in franchise history. In John Tortorella’s first full season behind the bench, the Blue Jackets went 50-24-8 and placed third in the Metropolitan Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the third time in franchise history. The Blue Jackets would face the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs and were knocked out in five games. In the off season, the Blue Jackets did not make a ton of changes but some notable faces won’t be returning to the team. Here’s a look at some of those departures and new faces and the impacts they bring for the upcoming season.
Notable Departures:
William Karlsson- Center:
Karlsson was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Karlsson served as a fourth line center with the Blue Jackets and posted 6 goals and 19 assists in 81 games last season. This postseason, he tied three of his teammates for most points in the playoffs with 3.
Sam Gagner- Right Winger:
Gagner played a depth role with the Blue Jackets last season. Known to be a power play specialist, he was also a big help on the team’s power play; he recorded 8 power play goals and 10 power play assists. Overall, he finished last season with 18 goals and 32 assists in 81 games for a career high 50 points. He signed a 3-year, $9.45 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks in free agency.
Brandon Saad- Left Winger:
Saad was acquired by the Blue Jackets in the 2015 off season from the Chicago Blackhawks. In his two seasons with the team, Saad recorded two 53 point seasons. He led the team in goals with 31 during the 2015-2016 season and tied Cam Atkinson for most points. Saad was traded back to the Blackhawks this off season.
Scott Hartnell- Left Winger:
Hartnell was acquired by the Blue Jackets in exchange for R.J. Umberger and a fourth-round draft pick in 2014. In his first season with Columbus, Hartell was third in points on the team with 60 but has since declined. Last season, he put 13 goals and 24 assists in 78 games.
Notable Newcomers:
Jordan Schroeder- Center:
Schroeder was a first round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2009. He has spent a majority of his career in the AHL and has been a member of the Canucks and Minnesota Wild franchises. Last season he recorded a career high 13 points from 6 goals and 7 assists in 37 games.
Andre Benoit- Defenseman:
Benoit has been traveling around the NHL as a member of the Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, and St. Louis Blues. He’s played in different European leagues during his hockey career and last season he played for the Malmo Redhawks in the Swedish Hockey League. He recorded 6 goals and 18 assists in 52 games.
Artemi Panarin- Left Winger:
Panarin was acquired by the Blue Jackets in the Brandon Saad trade. He has spent two seasons in the NHL and has recorded two 70-point seasons with Chicago playing alongside Artem Anismov and Patrick Kane. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2016.
Projected Offensive Lines:
Line 1: Foligno-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Line 2: Panarin-Wennberg-Anderson
Line 3: Calvert-Jenner-Bjorkstrand
Line 4: Milano-Sedlak-Schroeder
Projected Defensive Lines:
Line 1: Werenski-Jones
Line 2: Johnson-Savard
Line 3: Benoit-Murray
Projected Goaltenders:
Starter: Bobrovsky
Backup: Korpisalo
The 2017-2018 Season Story: Can The Blue Jackets Be Consistent And Reach The Playoffs Again?
The previous two times that the Blue Jackets had made the playoffs, the team took a step back the following season. The first time the team made the playoffs was the 2008-2009 season; in the 2009-2010 season, the Blue Jackets finished 14th in the west and last in the Central Division. The second time was in the 2013-2014 season when the Blue Jackets finished with a record of 42-35-5 but missed the playoffs by 9 points. So will the Blue Jackets show consistency and have another great season or revert back to their old ways?
Prediction:
Let’s face it fans, the Metropolitan Division is no playground. With the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Rangers, the Washington Capitals, and even the New York Islanders who missed last year’s playoffs by one point, it won’t be easy to reach the playoffs again. The number one factor why the Blue Jackets reached the 50 game win mark is because of their goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky finished last season with a record of 41-17-5, a goals against average of 2.06 and a save percentage of .931. He also had the second longest winning streak in NHL history from November 29 to January 3rd when he won 14 games in a row. He also won the Vezina Trophy this year. If you look at the past two seasons that Columbus missed the playoffs, Bobrovsky had suffered from multiple injuries and without him in net, the Blue Jackets didn’t produce enough wins. One major factor in their favor for this upcoming season is the acquisition of a 70 point scorer in Artemi Panarin in exchange for Brandon Saad who finished in the 50 point range. Because Panarin played with Patrick Kane, one of the best players in the NHL, he might not replicate another 70 points season unless paired with Nick Foligno or Cam Atkinson. But if Panarin finds success in Columbus like he did in Chicago, the Blue Jackets will finish stronger than last year. They need a skater that is a pure goal scorer and can produce a lot of points; Panarin brings that to the table. My prediction for the upcoming Blue Jackets season is that they make the playoffs and finish second in the Metropolitan Division as long as they have a healthy Sergei Bobrovsky behind the net. The Blue Jacket’s younger players such as Alexander Wennberg, Josh Anderson, and Zach Werenski will improve their point totals as they develop and the Blue Jackets will continue to have success and not take a step back like other seasons.
