2013 Recap
Everyone in the hockey world was predicting the Blue Jackets to be the worst team in hockey in 2013. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m so damn happy that wasn’t the case.
Backstopped by (disputed) Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky, the Jackets made a serious push to make the playoffs for only the second time in their history. Yes, they fell short, but for maybe the first time in franchise history, the team’s front office took a significant step forward in actually acquiring the pieces to be a contender, and it showed when they dealt for Marian Gaborik and his gigantic contract from the Rangers.
But despite the inhuman play of Bobrovsky and the efforts of a sneaky good defense, the Jackets were ultimately done in by the lack of production by the offensive unit. Yes, Gaborik was good when he was acquired. But this team’s leading scorer when it was all said and done was Vinny Prospal who scored only 30 points.
Oof.
In all, it was a fun season for what proved to be a really likeable hockey team. And we got #Lumbus out of it thanks to a strange camaraderie the team’s PR staff developed with the Los Angeles Kings, which can’t be overlooked.
Forwards
General Manager Jarmo Kekelainen identified the team’s glaring need for more goals, adding Nathan Horton to the fold to go along with Gaborik on the right side. Good thing they have a pair of talented centers to pass them the puck.
/Sees top-scoring centers were Mark Letestu and Artem Anisimov
Uhhhhhh, oh. At least both wingers are healthy.
/Remembers Horton had shoulder surgery
Aw shit…
Look, I like the way Letestu performed last year and Anisimov is a nice player, but if this team is going to really challenge for a playoff spot, Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Johansen have to take their games to another level. Offensively, those two are the most gifted offensive centers and it’s up to them to find some consistency and get the puck to Gaborik. I like the intangibles Dubinsky brings, but two goals in 26 games is mind-boggling. Yes, he can pass it a little bit, but I’d like to see him shoot a little more.
Good news for Lumbus fans is that youngsters Cam Atkinson and Matt Calvert had nice years for the team last year and one should evolve into the team’s top left wing. Vets RJ Umberger, Nick Foligno and Jared Boll bring some physicality to the forward unit as well.
I love the possibilities of this lineup, but man do a couple guys need to elevate their game for the Jackets to hang in the Metropolitan.
Defense
The Blue Jackets finished ninth in the NHL in goals against average. Yes, lots of that had to do with the goaltender. But the defense deserves at least a little bit of credit. The trio of Fedor Tyutin, Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski provide a nice veteran presence. One guy that has gotten lots of criticism (sometimes rightly so) because of his advanced stats is Johnson, but he’s the team’s best puck-mover on D and he really seems to enjoy what is going on with this organization.
Those three, combined with youngsters Nikita Nikitin, Tim Erixon, etc. give the Jackets a solid group that will be charged with keeping the puck away from Bobrovsky. Look for prospect Ryan Murray to come out of junior and make the roster this year and give the team the franchise defenseman the team has never possessed (sorry, Rostislav Klesla).
Goaltending
My best friend is a die-hard Flyers fan, and he told me before last year that Bobrovsky would be better than the space cadet in Philly despite the major difference in talent. I thought he was crazy. I was very, very wrong. I loved what Bob did for this team. In front of him, the Jackets played with confidence and that’s something that didn’t happen in the final four years of the Steve Mason era. Despite his ridiculous numbers, he’s still going to be under the microscope this year. It’s going to be interesting, that’s for damn sure.
Backing up is journeyman netminder Curtis McElhinney, who won’t see a ton of time because this team is going to ride Bobrovsky for much of the year.
The Hat Trick
1. Bob the Top Cop Sergei Bobrovsky is going to play more games in a nine-month period than he ever has in his career. I thought a two-year deal for Bob was a great move by Kekelainen, and now he has to show that he wasn’t just the product of a shortened season. In his only full year as a starter, Bobrovsky wore down at the end of the 2010-11 season and lost his job as Flyers starting netminder. Think about that for a second.
How will he fare as the main guy for an entire season and will he cave as the defending Vezina winner? I can’t wait to find out.
Not being a member of the Flyers has helped so far.
2. Finding a Top Pivot
I know I already covered this, but someone is going to have to take over on the top line and get the puck to Gaborik. Letestu is a smart player and had a nice year last year, but is he really a top center? Yes, the team added a pair of centers in Marko Dano and Alex Wennberg at the draft, but those two are a few years away. Will Dubinsky take over that spot? He’s going to have every chance to. Ditto for Johansen.
3. A New Wave of Foes
Columbus has spent the last few years playing in the tight-checking Central Division. Those days are gone and the offensive skill waiting for them in the Metropolitan is not something I would be looking forward to if my team switched divisions. It may sting for a team on the upswing, but I won’t be surprised if there’s a drop-off from having to face Crosby, Malkin, Giroux, etc. all season. Yes, the decrease in travel should help, but it won’t be an easy task.
But man, will those games against the Flyers be fun.
Prediction
The rebuild has gone well so far, but I don’t think this team is ready just yet. Yes, they’ll be fun to watch and I love the energy around this squad and organization. The Blue Jacket fans have been through hell in their 13 years of existence and they deserve a winner. But I don’t think it will be this year. They’ll compete hard, but fall short in a loaded division. Sorry, Lumbus. Sixth in the Metropolitan.
Must-Follow Blue Jackets Twitter Feed
It doesn’t get much better than the team’s official account. They interact with their fans well and interact with other teams in a fun way. These guys are one of the model feeds in the sports industry, along with their pals from LA.
–I am Ryan Thomas, and I hope the Jackets win every game against the Flyers this year. Follow me on Twitter @rthomas_22, because why the hell not?