Columbus Blue Jackets
Andy’s Thoughts: The only addition for the last place Blue Jackets is veteran forward Sam Gagner, not a great sign for a team that finished a disappointing 34-40-6. The biggest issue, however, was between the pipes, where the Jackets finished 29th in goals against. Brandon Saad, Cam Atkinson and Boone Jenner are solid, young forwards but if Sergei Bobrovsky posts another 2.75, .908 season, it won’t matter.
Aly’s Thoughts: The biggest bright spot on the Jackets is the defense core. Young guns Seth Jones, Ryan Murray, and Zach Werenski will all continue to develop this season. They will take some of the pressure off Bobrovsky to steal games in Ohio. Columbus also has a potential superstar on their hands in Pierre-Luc Dubois. Expect improvement but not a playoff berth this upcoming season.