Columbus Blue Jackets Season Preview

[PigsRule]

:CLS: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Background:
After finishing 11th in year 1, the Blue Jackets dropped to 20th 2011-12. At the start of the strike shortened 2012-13 season the team's third year in the league, a new owner looked to change the team's performance but alas could not and ended up finishing 24th.

This year:
Columbus owns two star players in Joe Thornton, Rick Nash with whom they can build around as well as perennial future starter Steve Mason in goal. The MiLR is well stocked with blue chippers Bo Horvat, Matt Hackett, Morgan Rielly, Oscar Klefbom to name a few prospects.

Strengths:
MiLR
Young potential starting goalie

Weaknesses:
Lack of depth on Defense
A number of large contracts

Needs:
New owner
Depth at all Forward positions
Depth on Defense

Future Outlook:
Columbus Blue Jackets are another example of a team with a high number of former owners that have left their mark but have not yielded high performers from drafts and trades to date yet appear ready to be elevated to contender status with a new competitive owner making savvy moves. The team owns enough assets to finish top 16 this season.

[PigsRule]

:bump:

[PsychoticPondGoons]

:CLS: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Background:
After finishing 11th in year 1, the Blue Jackets dropped to 20th 2011-12. At the start of the strike shortened 2012-13 season the team's third year in the league, a new owner looked to change the team's performance but alas could not and ended up finishing 24th.

This year:
Columbus owns two star players in Joe Thornton, Rick Nash with whom they can build around as well as perennial future starter Steve Mason in goal. The MiLR is well stocked with blue chippers Bo Horvat, Matt Hackett, Morgan Rielly, Oscar Klefbom to name a few prospects.

Strengths:
MiLR
Young potential starting goalie

Weaknesses:
Lack of depth on Defense
A number of large contracts

Needs:
New owner
Depth at all Forward positions
Depth on Defense

Future Outlook:
Columbus Blue Jackets are another example of a team with a high number of former owners that have left their mark but have not yielded high performers from drafts and trades to date yet appear ready to be elevated to contender status with a new competitive owner making savvy moves. The team owns enough assets to finish top 16 this season.

I think the fact this team starts Steve Mason in net made them attractive to me.
Most of the roster wasn't all that interesting to me but they do the job.

The other great thing about this Columbus BJ's team aside from allowing me to have fun with their initials is they (we) own a killer farm system that's really well stocked for the next few years.

Good job past owners.   :winner:

Now let's see if I can take them over the hump to the promiseland.  :win:

[PigsRule]

i think the last owner did a really good job m_stagliano.

prior to him, i think the ownes did a good basic job keeping the franchise afloat but nothing earth shattering to push it over the top. :CLS: are definitely looking like a solid contender this season!

[PsychoticPondGoons]

The turning pt for the Columbus BJs is Steve Mason getting regular starts in Philly.
Our recent deal with Calgary to swap goalies and land Reto Berra will also help our team for the stretch drive. :thumbsup:

Ryan Johansen's breakout season has also helped the club get more W's on the board.  :toast: :bacon: :bacon:


If I had my way these contracts won't be on our BJ payroll in 2014-15
Joe Thornton, $7.5m (2011-2015)
RJ Umberger, $5.6m (2015-2016)


Anyone want to make an offer for Big Joe or RJ?  :disco:

[PigsRule]

I like the post. It's like a picture book. ;-)

[PsychoticPondGoons]

I like the post. It's like a picture book. ;-)

LOL
Bedtime story.

[PsychoticPondGoons]

Here's an update on the Jackets' fine tuning for the playoff drive

SUBTRACTIONS
C Brooks Laich, $5.3m (2012-2015)
RW Eric Cole, $1.6m (2013-2016)
RW Jared Boll, $0.6m (2013-2015)
RW Patrick Dwyer, $0.3m (2012-2014)
D Raphael Diaz, $1.9m (2013-2016)
D Tim Erixon, $0.7m (2013-2015)
D Keaton Ellerby, $0.9m (2013-2014)
G Anders Lindback, $1.8m (2013-2016)
G Anders Nilsson, $0.2m (2013-2014)
C - Bo Horvat (2013: 1/9 - 0 Games)
C - Marko Dano (2013: 1/27 - 0 Games)
D - Adam Clendening (2011: 2/36 - 0 Games)
D - Ville Pokka (2012: 2/34 - 0 Games)
Round 2 - 2014 :CLS:
Round 4 - 2014 :CLS:


ADDITIONS
C Sean Couturier, $3.0m (2013-2014)
LW Rene Bourque, $3.3m (2013-2016)
RW Justin Fontaine, $0.9m (2013-2015)
D Lubomir Visnovsky, $3.2m (2012-2015)
D Jakub Kindl, $1.5m (2012-2015)
D Taylor Fedun, $0.2m (2013-2015)
G Reto Berra, $2.3m (2013-2016)
G Cal Heeter, $0.2m (2013-2015)
D - Xavier Ouellet (2011: 2/48 - 0 Games)
Round 3 - 2014 from :BOS-NHL: (from :NAS:, originally :STL-NHL:)


We've basically cashed in a number of our top prospects to add players to our active roster to compete for the Holy Grail now! This franchise has been on the cusp of greatness since inception and now we're going to forge ahead and go for it.  :thumbsup: :win:

[PigsRule]

Here's an update on the Jackets' fine tuning for the playoff drive

SUBTRACTIONS
C Brooks Laich, $5.3m (2012-2015)
RW Eric Cole, $1.6m (2013-2016)
RW Jared Boll, $0.6m (2013-2015)
RW Patrick Dwyer, $0.3m (2012-2014)
D Raphael Diaz, $1.9m (2013-2016)
D Tim Erixon, $0.7m (2013-2015)
D Keaton Ellerby, $0.9m (2013-2014)
G Anders Lindback, $1.8m (2013-2016)
G Anders Nilsson, $0.2m (2013-2014)
C - Bo Horvat (2013: 1/9 - 0 Games)
C - Marko Dano (2013: 1/27 - 0 Games)
D - Adam Clendening (2011: 2/36 - 0 Games)
D - Ville Pokka (2012: 2/34 - 0 Games)
Round 2 - 2014 :CLS:
Round 4 - 2014 :CLS:


ADDITIONS
C Sean Couturier, $3.0m (2013-2014)
LW Rene Bourque, $3.3m (2013-2016)
RW Justin Fontaine, $0.9m (2013-2015)
D Lubomir Visnovsky, $3.2m (2012-2015)
D Jakub Kindl, $1.5m (2012-2015)
D Taylor Fedun, $0.2m (2013-2015)
G Reto Berra, $2.3m (2013-2016)
G Cal Heeter, $0.2m (2013-2015)
D - Xavier Ouellet (2011: 2/48 - 0 Games)
Round 3 - 2014 from :BOS-NHL: (from :NAS:, originally :STL-NHL:)


We've basically cashed in a number of our top prospects to add players to our active roster to compete for the Holy Grail now! This franchise has been on the cusp of greatness since inception and now we're going to forge ahead and go for it.  :thumbsup: :win:

:iatp:

Good breakdown of new and old.