5 Players That Are Ready to Take the Next Step for the Columbus Blue Jackets

In the 21-year history of the Columbus Blue Jackets, they have made the playoffs six times. That is not to say it was not through effort and steady play. The result of most of their misfortunes, regular season and playoffs, has been scoring.

With the defense being pretty solid for the most part, throughout the existence of the franchise, the team has lacked an elite, go-to player.

With that said, the organization has had many good players. However, most of them have left for greener pastures, but this leaves the franchise looking for superstars, scorers, and players that want to be there.

Since then, the Blue Jackets have remained competitive, famously knocking out the Tampa Bay Lightning via a sweep in the playoffs a few seasons back. Columbus has grown to mold a team that does not score a lot but will fight whistle to whistle and takes the game to you.

The Blue Jackets have a few players that are ready to step up.

Over the past few seasons, Columbus has acquired a couple of players, one being recent, that they hope to build around and make the team a Stanley Cup contender.

Patrick Laine and newly acquired Johnny Gaudreau, have joined the Blue Jackets in hopes of making the club a perennial playoff team.

With that said, aside from Gaudreau, who has yet to play a game, there are five players who should be ready to take a step forward and make this team a threat every year.

Columbus has a sneaky good team that could take a few people by surprise. If these five players take the next step and continue upward, then this could be a nice, well-rounded team.

Columbus is ready to turn their fortunes around and win the division first and foremost. With all of the parity and roster changes this off-season inside the division, they just might have a shot this year to do some damage.