NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Christian Backman, D (Acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers)
Mike Commodore, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Ottawa Senators)
Kristian Huselius, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Calgary Flames)
Craig MacDonald, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Raffi Torres, LW (Acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers)
Fedor Tyutin, D (Acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers)
R.J. Umberger, RW (Acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers)
Mike York, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Phoenix Coyotes)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Gilbert Brule, C (Traded to the Edmonton Oilers)
Dan Fritsche, C (Traded to the New York Rangers)
Ron Hainsey, D (Signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Thrashers)
Zenon Konopka, C (Signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Joakim Lindstrom, RW (Traded to the Anaheim Ducks)
Dick Tarnstrom, D (Signed with AIK of Sweden)
David Vyborny, RW (Signed with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extra League)
Duvie Westcott, D (Buyout)
Nikolai Zherdev, RW (Traded to the New York Rangers)
2007-08 Season Finish: 4th Central Division, 13th Western Conference, 80 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Did Not Make Playoffs
2008-09 Prediction: 4th Central Division, 12th Western Conference
With the Columbus Blue Jackets still looking for their first ever post-season playoff birth, the team underwent a major player overhaul during the summer. Perhaps the biggest changes to the team during the off-season came on offense. Likely growing impatient over his slow development, former 1st round pick Gilbert Brule was traded to Edmonton, while the ever-stubborn Nikolai Zherdev was traded to the New York Rangers. Also gone are the under-achieving David Vyborny and checking line forward Dan Fritsche. The revamped Blue Jackets' offense now boasts high-scoring forwards Kristian Huselius and R.J. Umberger. Huselius brings a wealth of offense and depth to Columbus' forward lines, but the inconsistency issues he faced at times last season in Calgary will have to be resolved this season in order for the Blue Jackets to make the playoffs. Umberger, who enjoyed a career season in 2007-08, hasn't even begun to hit his potential, figures to be a high-scoring forward on Columbus' offense for years to come. Raffi Torres, acquired in a trade with Edmonton earlier in the summer, brings a lot of toughness and scoring to Columbus' top lines. Rick Nash enjoyed a career season last year and will look to improve on those numbers this season. Likely to be paired with Umberger and Huselius on the 1st line, their passing abilities should allow Nash to score plenty of goals. Fredrik Modin brings a lot of veteran depth and offense to the Blue Jackets' 2nd line, as does newcomer Mike York. Michael Peca, Jason Chimera, Jiri Novotny, and Manny Malhotra all bring plenty of two-way experience and toughness to the Blue Jackets' checking line. Tough guys Jared Boll and Craig MacDonald bring lots of toughness to Columbus' forward lines. The Blue Jackets have plenty of prospects who will make pushes at training camp to join the team this season. Derick Brassard, Nikita Filatov, Maxim Mayorov, and Jakub Voracek could make roster spots on the team this season with their exceptional offensive play. While Columbus did improve their offense over the summer, they lack depth at center, which they will have to address during the season if they are to make the playoffs.
The Blue Jackets also saw several changes made to their defense this summer. With the loss of Ron Hainsey to Atlanta via free agency, the Blue Jackets wasted no time in adding high-profile defenseman Mike Commodore. While he doesn't bring the offense to Columbus' defense that Hainsey did, Commodore provides lots of toughness and defensive depth. Newcomers Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin, acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers, bring plenty of depth and toughness to the Blue Jacket's defense. Returning defensemen Rostislav Klesla, Jan Hejda, and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen all compliment the new defensemen with their defensive depth, toughness, and gritty play. Prospects Aaron Rome, Clay Wilson, Marc Methot, and Kris Russell will look to make the team at training camp, but will likely spend a lot of the season in the minors given the Blue Jackets' depth on defense. While Columbus' blueline is loaded with toughness, they could use some offense on their defense that could easily jump into the play.
Given the goaltending depth in Columbus, the team could see a logjam in goal this season. Pascal Leclaire, who had a breakout season last year, will be the team's starting goaltender this season and will look to improve on his fine play. Fredrik Norrena will likely be the backup this season given his experience, but prospects Steve Mason and Daniel LaCosta could challenge for the backup position at training camp. With Norrena facing unrestricted free agency next summer, he could be a trade candidate for depth on offense. If Norrena were to be traded, Mason or LaCosta could easily step into the backup role given their improving play.
STRENGTHS
- Lots of offensive prospects.
- Plenty of toughness on defense.
- Good goaltending depth.
WEAKNESSES
- Lack depth at center.
- Need more offense on defense.
- Bit of a logjam in goal.
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