By Rich Carlson
WagerWeb.com Contribruting Writer
2005 record: 35-43-4 (74 points)
2005 offense rank: 27th (2.62 goals per game)
2005 defense rank: 26th (3.37 goals allowed per
game)
Key Additions: LW Fredrik Modin, G Ty Conklin, G Fredrik Norrena, C Gilbert Brule
Key Losses: D Radoslav Suchy, G Marc Denis, C Jan Hrdina,
RW Trevor Letowski
Overview: With the league’s 27th-ranked offense
and 26th-ranked defense, many hockey fans are wondering how Columbus
didn’t finish in last place in the Central Division last season. Simple—the
Blue Jackets had the fortune of being in the same division as St.
Louis and Chicago. Columbus
made a concerted effort to increase its scoring punch by acquiring Fredrik Modin from Tampa Bay
in the offseason. Modin scored 33 goals and had 31
assists for the Lightning last year and will make an immediate impact on
offense. Many Blue Jacket fans were disappointed that the team did virtually
nothing in the offseason to improve its porous defense, which allowed 3.37
goals per game last season. Other than veteran Adam Foote, the Blue Jackets are
young and inexperienced on the blue line. The Blue Jackets’ defenders are not
the most physically imposing group in the league, and they could get pushed
around this season. Veteran G Denis was traded to Tampa
Bay in the deal for Modin, which means Pascal Leclaire
is the new No. 1 netminder. However, Leclaire only has 35 NHL games under his belt and has a
history of injuries. Columbus
signed veteran G Conklin and European G Norrena to
backup Leclaire, and they could get significant
playing time if Leclaire’s injury woes surface again.
WagerWeb.com odds: +7500 to win the Stanley
Cup
Players to Watch: RW Nikolai Zherdev had 27 goals and 27 assists last season but was
called out by Sergei Fedorov
to contribute even more. It will be interesting to watch how Zherdev reacts to Fedorov’s
criticisms. Fedorov, incidentally, is out another
month or so with a
shoulder injury. C Brule is considered by many hockey fans to be a legitimate
Calder Trophy candidate. LW Rick Nash scored 31 goals
last season but needs to stay healthy. Rugged defenseman Bryan Berard underwent surgery on his back late last season, and
his health is in question heading into the season.
Outlook: It’s a good bet that Columbus
will definitely score more goals this season with the addition of Modin and Brule. However, the Jackets could allow even more
goals than they did last season. Many sportsbooks project the Blue Jackets
finishing in third place in the Central Division behind powerhouses Detroit
and Nashville. If G Leclaire can stay healthy and if the young defensemen come
together as a unit, the Blue Jackets might be able to slip into the playoffs.
Rich Carlson
Author Bio: Received MBA from University of Florida in
1996 (Management & Sports Administration) Worked for 3 ½ years as freelance
sportswriter covering professional and minor league baseball, professional
& college basketball, professional & college football, hockey, soccer,
tennis and golf. Active in local softball, basketball, tennis
and bowling leagues. Married for 15 years - one
daughter.