Carolina Hurricanes Division Rivals: Blue Jackets Eye a Playoff Spot
By Zeke Lukow
Leading up to the season we are going to have a Metropolitan Division Season projection series. We will be starting with the last place team and finish with the Carolina Hurricanes. Today we will be covering the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Head Coach: Todd Richards (5th year with CBJ)
2014-2015 Record: 42-35-5
2014-2015 Result: 5th in the Metro, 23rd Overall (Missed the Playoffs)
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After making the playoffs in 2013-2014, the Blue Jackets fell short in the 2014-2015 campaign. Though Columbus missed the playoffs, it was not a disappointing result. The Blue Jackets finished the season 7 games over .500, and missed out on the playoffs by 8 points.
In 2014 they got off to a slow start, had a streaky middle of the season, before ending red hot. Columbus started 6-15-2 in the first 2 months of the season, before going 20-16-2 from December through February. They followed this streaky middle of the season by posting one of the best finishes in the league by going 16-4-1, but the damage was already done in the beginning.
Carolina Hurricanes
This pattern of performance is typical for a young team, and though they missed the playoffs, Columbus had significant offensive production throughout the season. Four players scored over 20 goals, and 3 players scored over 50 points. Nick Foligno was the top performer on the year, scoring 31 goals and 42 assists.
Key Additions: Brandon Saad (Trade)
On June 30th the Blue Jackets acquired Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks, this move was not a surprise for the Blackhawks who knew they didn’t have cap space to resign Saad. This was a huge move for Columbus, every team was looking to add Saad to their roster.
So whats the big deal here? Saad is only 22 years old and he has already been part of two Stanley Cup winning teams He will bring valuable playoff experience with him (67 games worth) and will be able to contribute immediately offensively. During his 2014-2015 campaign, Saad put up 52 points (233g, 29a) in the regular season, and 11 points (8g, 3a) in the postseason.
Key Losses: Artem Anisimov (Trade), Mark Letesu (Free Agency)
Artem Anisimov was part of the deal that brought in Saad, so his loss doesn’t hurt the team as much as it could have. Anisimov fought through injury last year and was only able to play 52 games which is why he was only able to put up 27 points (7g, 20a).
In his last full season in 2013-2014, the centerman had a 29 goal season. Losing Anisimov would have hurt the offense if not for the addition of Saad.
Mark Letesu isn’t as large of a loss for Coach Todd Richards and the Blur Jackets. Letesu has corsi and production numbers of a second or third line player. The coaching staff will look to replace him with a younger player looking to contribute.
Mar 10, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Rasmus Rissanen (62) checks Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll (40) during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Depth Chart:
Brandon Saad – Ryan Johansen – Nick Foligno
Boone Jenner – Brandon Dubinsky – Cam Atkinson
Scott Hartnell – Alexander Wennberg – David Clarkson
Matt Calvert – Gregory Campbell – Jared Boll
Jack Johnson – David Savard
Ryan Murray – Fedor Tyutin
Dalton Prout – Cody Goloubef
Sergei Bobrovsky
Curtis McEhinney
2015-2016 Outlook:
The Blue Jackets have a young and very talented roster, and have 10 players that are 25 years old or younger. The young core is headlined by Ryan Murray (21) Brandon Saad (22) and Ryan Johansen (23), who combined scored 128 points (50g, 76a).
2015-2016 should be an exciting year for Columbus, their top line is stacked with high end talent. Even with the top line being as good as it is, where this year’s team differentiates itself from previous Blue Jackets teams is the depth.
Dubinsky and Atkinson are on the second line, and Hartnell is slotted for the third line. In the past these players would be spending most of their time on the top line.
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With any young team, the most important factor is experience. This team will perform at a much higher rate because they have another year of NHL experience under their belt. Brandon Saad will also add big game experience and a calming presence to the locker room that will help with the other less experienced young players.
The Blue Jackets are trending in the right direction, and with improvements to the roster there is a great chance they will make the playoffs in 2015-2016. I expect the blue jackets to finish 3rd in the Metropolitan division. The Blue Jackets will earn home ice in the first round, and should be able to advance to the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.