Team Outlook: Columbus Blue Jackets

Heading into the 2022-23 NHL season, I’m going to look at every team to see how they are looking going into the season.

From: tsn.ca

2021-22:

The Blue Jackets finished in 6th place in the Metro Division. They finished 37-38-7 with 81 points.

Draft:

The Jackets had 7 picks in the draft which included 2 1st round picks. I may be a little biased because I’m a Jackets fan and I followed the draft closer for them than other teams, but I feel like the Jackets had a great draft. They used both of their 1st round picks on 2 defensemen. They picked Czech defenseman David Jiricek who had 11 points in 29 games with HC Plen of the Czechia league. He also had a goal in 3 games in the Traverse City Prospect Tournament. Their second 1st round pick they picked Denton Mateychuk who had 64 points in 65 games in his first full season in the WHL. I feel one of their best picks came in the 4th round with Jordan Dumais. Had 109 points in 68 games as a forward in his second QMJHL season. He also finished second on the Jackets with 5 points in 3 games in Traverse City.

Additions:

The Blue Jackets didn’t add much over the offseason, but frankly they didn’t really need to. Their biggest signing, and most surprising to many people, was the signing of Johnny Gaudreau. Johnny Hockey had his biggest season last season getting 115 points in 82 games, and even getting 14 points in 12 games during the playoffs. They also added defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Flames as well. Gudbranson had a career high of 17 points in 78 games last season. They also traded for Mathieu Olivier from the Predators before the draft. He has had a total of 7 points in 48 games.

Losses: However, to free up cap space, the Jackets did have to let go of some players. Probably the biggest loss is Oliver Bjorsktrand. Bjorkstrand had a career high of 57 points in 80 games with the Jackets last season. After the signing of Laine, they had to trade him to the Kraken for 2 picks. In my opinion, one of the most underrated wings in the league, he didn’t get much exposure until the offseason which might hurt the Jackets. They also lost Alexandre Texier. Texier announced that he would play for the ZSC Lions of the NL in Europe. Texier also had a career high of 20 points in 36 games last season and I just wish him the best in Europe.

Who to look for:

Kent Johnson was drafted in 2021 and finished the season with the Jackets after playing with the University of Michigan for a season. He had 3 assists in the 9 games he played and he finished with the most points in Traverse City with 6 in 3 games. Also from Michigan, defenseman Nick Blankenburg signed with the Jackets during last season. After graduating he had 1 goal and 2 assists in 7 games. Finally, also signed in the middle of the season was goaltender Jet Greaves. Greaves had a .905 SV% with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL and didn't see any NHL ice time, but I would expect him to get some this season.

Prediction:

The Blue Jackets had a huge upgrade from last season. Not only with signing Gaudreau, but they have a lot of young players coming in that could be very successful for the team. I would probably expect them to make the playoffs or at least make a push to make it competitive.

Stats from: eliteprospects.com, capfriendly.com