Columbus Blue Jackets Preview
Perhaps the greatest off-season departure for any team in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets lost Rick Nash to the Rangers. The Captain leaves a void of leadership meaning it could be a difficult year for the Jackets, or a break out year for Columbus, depending on how well and quickly the youngers they acquired develop.
Young netminder Sergei Bobrovsky will battle veteran Steve Mason for the number one spot. Even after a few days of traiing camp, there is no real sepeartion between the two. Defenseman Ryan Murray also joins the roster as a 2012 Draft Pick that shows real promise. There is some returns and veterans that will continue making an impact. Nikita Nikitin signed a two-year deal while Adrian Acoin, a veteran blueliner, signed a one year agreement.
The replacement "C" is the biggest question surrounding Columbus fans. Jack Johnson is a defenseman who had a strong lockerroom presence during the rumors of the Nash trade. The current alternate captains are also certainly to be in the conversation: R.J. Umberger and Vinny Prospal. James Wisniewski is another Blue Jacket respected among teammates.
The team finished at the bottom of the Western Conference with just 29 wins and 65 points. They were the only team in the Central Division to not earn over 100 points and miss the playoffs.
Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule
January 19 - January 27. All times are EST.
January 19 - January 27. All times are EST.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators
Saturday, January 19
8:00
Nashvile finished the season with 104 points and 4th place in the Western Conference, second in the Central Division under the explosive St. Louis Blues. Nashville won 4 of the 6 games against the Jackets with one of the two losses coming in overtime, earning 9 of 12 possible points. The Preds defeated the Red Wings in 5 games to open the playoffs before falling in 5 in the next round to the Phoenix Coyotes.
Ryan Suter left the team, but Shea Weber stayed in Nashville after a fierce battle with Philadelphia. Pekka Rinne is also donning the yellow jersey for the Preds again this season in the net, so the chances are certainly high that Nashville will repeat with a 100-plus point season.
The biggest question for Nashville is whom to put with Weber and the most likely candidate is Roman Josi. Coach Barry Trotz is confident this defenseman will be a good fit given his on-ice time.
A group of young skaters and other acquisitions have Trotz excited for the season. Paul Gaustad, Hal Gill, Craig Smith, Colin Wilson, Gabriel Bourque and Ryan Ellis make up parts of this talented roster.
According to Coach Trotz, "This team is really set up long-term and really in a good position. … We're in a go-forward mode to win a Stanley Cup."
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets
Monday, January 21
7:30
Nationally Televised Game on NBCSN
Columbus went 2-3-1 against the Red Wings in 2011-2012. The Wings finished with 102 points last year, 3rd in the Central Division and 5th seed in the Western Conference. They left the playoffs abrputly in the first round after winning just one game against the Predators.
Without hesitation, the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom is the biggest change for the always threathening Detroit club. Niklas Kronwall returns to the Red Wings' roster, so there is no lack of defensive presense. Kromwell is expected to take over the leadership role on defense in front of All-Star goalie Jimmy Howard.
Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula return as well as forwards on a mission. Lidstrom wasn't the only Red Wing to hang up the skates: Tomas Holmstrom also retired in the off-season, but Darren Helm is returning, hopefully with a better season - health wise - for fans with a winged wheel on their jerseys. Helm's absence is felt by the team as they suffered when he isn't in the lineup. After he left in Game One of the opening round of the playoffs, the team lost in five games.
Another Red Wing hoping to come back from injury is Danny Cleary. He had a poor year last season, mostly because he played injured much of the year. He should be recovered, at this point, from his knee surgery.
Though the Red Wings have acquired forward strengths like Mikael Samuelsson and Jordin Tootoo, Detroit has to come with terms with not having Lidstrom on the roster for the first time in 20 years. Perhaps the mighty will fall, though not likely.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Colorado Avalanche
Thursday, January 24
9:00
The Blue Jackets took 5 of 8 possible points against the Avalanche in 2011-2012 with a 2-1-1 record. Colorado finished 11th in the Conference, missing the playoffs.
Calder Trophy winner Gabriel Landeskog returns with linemate Ryan O'Reilly. The most productive defenseman is returning as well, Erik Johnson along with starting goalie, Semyon Varlamov. All are under 25 years old giving them room to mature and grow and become a real danger for other Northwest Division foes.
Veteran Milan Hejduk was signed and the youngsters can certainly learn from this leader. Though his on ice performance suffered last season (just 14 goals), his lockerrrom presence cannot be underestimated. Colorado also hopes big things come from Matt Duchene, who they see as a franchise player.
Jamie McGinn and Steve Downie also look to build upon their late season numbers from trades last year. Winger PA Parenteau was added this year to the roster for the Avs this year from the Islanders. Colorado should have a more improved season, hoping to climb back into the playoff picture without a late season calapse, losing 6 of the last 7.
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets
Saturday, January 26
7:00
The Blue Jackets went 0-6 against Chicago last season. The Blackhawks finished with a 6th seed in the Western Conference with 101 points. They lost 4 games to 2 in the opening round of the playoffs to Pacific Divison winners, the Phoenix Coyotes.
Coach Joel Quenneville is looking to get the team back on course for another Stanley Cup, after two straight seasons of opening round exits from the Finals. Part of that correction may come from 6-foot-6 forward Jimmy Hayes. His front of net pressence could land him a spot on the opening night roster.
The netminders for the Chicago Blackhawks will continue to be Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, a duo that allowed 2.82 GAA last season. Defenseman Sheldon Brookbank is a depth player acquired in the off-season.
Big name players will also return to the lineup for Chicago, including Marian Hossa. Hossa has been cleared by doctors after suffering a concussion by an illegal hit by Raffi Torres of the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 3 of the playoffs.
Patrick Kane comes back, hoping to grow upon his 66-point season last year (a career low). It did not come without some turmoil with Quenneville. But things worked out and the coach hopes Kane returns to his glory days. "Our power play struggled and we need him to be a key factor in that area," Quenneville said. "When he gets productive, he gets hot and he goes on some great streaks."
Jimmy Hayes will have competition for the number 6 foward spot against other youngsters, including Dylan Olsen, Ben Smith, Andrew Shaw, Brandon Bollig and Brandon Saad.
