Last Season: 45-30-7 97 pts (4th in Metropolitan Division; Lost in Eastern Conference 1st Round)
Key Additions: D Adam Clendening, F Anthony Duclair, and F Riley Nash
Key Departures: D Ian Cole, D Jack Johnson, F Thomas Vanek, and F Matt Calvert
Top Questions Facing the Blue Jackets:
1. Will Artemi Panarin be in Columbus come the Trade Deadline?
With Artemi Panarin in the last year of his contract, and his unwillingness to negotiate on an extension leads one to ask if Columbus will try to trade Panarin before the Trade Deadline. Alsonone has to wonder how much of a distraction this can be for the team especially since goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is also in the last year of his contract as well.
2. What do they have to do to advance in the playoffs?
For the third time in franchise history the Blue Jackets made the playoffs,nbut once again they couldn’t get out of the first round. They held a series lead for the first time in franchise history, but would thwn lose four straight to the Washington Capitals once they did have the 2-0 series lead. Columbus is a team that has a great compete level, but they need to figure out how to get leads and finish off their opponents in the playoffs.
Leave a Reply