GDHQNHL15_4pg-Columbus Blue Jackets 2

Columbus Blue Jackets Gameday HQ

JACKETS 2 The number of winning seasons in Columbus’ franchise history. The 43 wins last season bested the 41-win campaign in 2008-09. Both seasons resulted in a conference quarterfinals finish. Projected Roster HEAD COACH: TODD RICHARDS LW C RW 1st Line: Boone Jenner Ryan Johansen Nathan Horton 2nd Line: Scott Hartnell Brandon Dubinsky Cam Atkinson 3rd Line: Matt Calvert Artem Anisimov Nick Foligno 4th Line: Jerry D’Amigo Mark Letestu Corey Tropp D D #1 Jack Johnson David Savard #2 Ryan Murray James Wisniewski #3 Dalton Prout Fedor Tyutin G Starter: Sergei Bobrovsky Backup: Curtis McElhinney Scoreboard 13 12 11 10 09 PLAYOFF FINISH Conf QF DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ REGULAR SEASON 43-32-7 24-17-7 29-46-7 34-35-13 32-35-15 POINT TOTAL 93 55 65 81 79 SHOOTOUT RECORD 5-2 5-4 4-5 5-8 2-10 GOALS SCORED 231 120 202 215 216 GOALS ALLOWED 216 119 262 258 259 POWER PLAY % 19.29 14.19 15.46 13.95 18.18 PENALTY KILL % 82.14 82.64 76.64 80.25 81.74 The Jackets’ second line isn’t at all weak. Columbus bestowed a fat contract on center Brandon Dubinsky, after he registered 16 goals and 50 points last season. And it traded R.J. Umberger back to Philadelphia for winger Scott Hartnell, who scored 37 goals in 2011-12 but only 20 last year. They’ll work with Cam Atkinson, who scored 21 times last season. Expect Artem Anisimov to be a formidable third-line pivotman again, while Nick Foligno is dangerous on his wing. The Blue Jackets imported Jerry D’Amigo for some fourth line depth, and he’ll be happy to play with center Mark Letestu. Expect another big year from defenseman James Wisniewski, who had a team-high 44 assists last year and helps the attack greatly. He and fellow blue-liner Jack Johnson are big weapons at the top of the zone for the Blue Jacket attack. Defense Last year’s Columbus defense surrendered the 12th-fewest goals in the NHL, a big reason the team made it to the post-season for the second time in franchise history and why it was able to stretch Pittsburgh to six games in the opening round of the playoffs. There aren’t many name brands on the team, but the unit is steady and productive. More than anything, it just won’t give up. Teams playing against Columbus have to be ready to contest every puck, all over the ice. A lot of that toughness comes from the D, which won’t relent and makes life easier for goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The first pairing of veteran Jack Johnson and youngster David Savard should be quite formidable. Johnson is a strong performer at both ends and on special teams. He’ll turn 28 this year, is in the middle of his prime and leads a corps that is deep but not necessarily spectacular. Savard was not a huge producer last year but finished with a plus-two rating in 70 games and demonstrated plenty of skill during training camp.


Columbus Blue Jackets Gameday HQ
To see the actual publication please follow the link above