One team the Columbus Blue Jackets could look to as an example

The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a busy couple of seasons since losing in the first round of the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They have missed the playoffs twice and drastically changed their team’s makeup, yet I still see them as a team that could make a difference in a few seasons.

The Blue Jackets have been smart the past few seasons. They have made so many different trades to benefit the future of their team, like trading away David Savard, Nick Foligno, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Seth Jones, and Max Domi.

The Jackets have brought in so much draft capital the past few seasons, and they have used it wisely drafting players like Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, Yegor Chinakhov and David Jiricek to name a few.

The Jackets are a team that could drastically take the next step in their rebuild very soon, a change that seems more realistic after a big move this offseason.

One team the Columbus Blue Jackets could look to as an example.

The Blue Jackets and Rangers have a lot in common. While the Jackets have not landed big draft lottery picks, they did both land a huge free agent who will be a big player in their return to the playoffs. The Rangers signed Artemi Panarin on Jul. 1, 2019, and the Jackets signed Johnny Gaudrea this past offseason.

Ironically, the comparison being made involves a player who left the Blue Jackets to win with a team in a bigger market. The Blue Jackets were a team that just could not keep their stars with guys like Sergei Bobrovsky and Panarin both opting to leave instead of staying in Columbus.

This would have happened again if the Jackets let guys like Pierre-Luc Dubois or Seth Jones hit free agency in Columbus. Instead, they recognized that moving them would allow them to succeed down the line as they were not just giving up assets.

The Rangers are already back into contention, with a recent trip to the Conference Final under their belt. While I do not think the Blue Jackets are ready to make the jump to the Stanley Cup Playoffs just yet, I do think when they are ready they will be in a better position thanks to the signing of Johnny Gaudreau.

The 2022-23 NHL season will be good for the Blue Jackets. They are in a tough conference so making the playoffs might not be possible. But taking that next step and playing competitive hockey all season will be a big win for the team.

General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen has done an excellent job making this team better the past few seasons, and I think his hard work will be rewarded in a few seasons when some of the younger players on the team really enter their prime.