By Rich Carlson<\/o:p><\/p>\n

WagerWeb.com Contribruting<\/span> Writer<\/o:p><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

2005 record: 35-43-4 (74 points) <\/o:p><\/p>\n

2005 offense rank: 27^{th<\/sup> (2.62 goals per game) <\/o:p><\/p>\n}

2005 defense rank: 26^{th<\/sup> (3.37 goals allowed per
\ngame) <\/o:p><\/p>\n}

Key Additions: LW<\/span> Fredrik Modin<\/span>, G Ty<\/span> Conklin, G Fredrik Norrena<\/span>, C Gilbert Brule <\/o:p><\/p>\n

Key Losses: D Radoslav<\/span> Suchy<\/span>, G Marc Denis, C Jan Hrdina<\/span>,
\nRW<\/span> Trevor Letowski<\/span> <\/o:p><\/p>\n

Overview: With the league\u2019s 27^{th<\/sup>-ranked offense
\nand 26^{th<\/sup>-ranked defense, many hockey fans are wondering how Columbus<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>
\ndidn\u2019t finish in last place in the Central Division last season. Simple\u2014the
\nBlue Jackets had the fortune of being in the same division as St.
\nLouis<\/st1:place><\/st1:City> and Chicago<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>. <\/span>Columbus<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>
\nmade a concerted effort to increase its scoring punch by acquiring Fredrik Modin<\/span> from Tampa<\/st1:PlaceName> Bay<\/st1:PlaceType><\/st1:place>
\nin the offseason. Modin<\/span> scored 33 goals and had 31
\nassists for the Lightning last year and will make an immediate impact on
\noffense. Many Blue Jacket fans were disappointed that the team did virtually
\nnothing in the offseason to improve its porous defense, which allowed 3.37
\ngoals per game last season. Other than veteran Adam Foote, the Blue Jackets are
\nyoung and inexperienced on the blue line. The Blue Jackets\u2019 defenders are not
\nthe most physically imposing group in the league, and they could get pushed
\naround this season. Veteran G Denis was traded to Tampa<\/st1:PlaceName>
\nBay<\/st1:PlaceType><\/st1:place> in the deal for Modin<\/span>, which means Pascal Leclaire<\/span>
\nis the new No. 1 netminder<\/span>. However, Leclaire<\/span> only has 35 NHL games under his belt and has a
\nhistory of injuries. Columbus<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>
\nsigned veteran G Conklin and European G Norrena<\/span> to
\nbackup Leclaire<\/span>, and they could get significant
\nplaying time if Leclaire\u2019s<\/span> injury woes surface again.
\n<\/o:p><\/p>\n}}

WagerWeb.com odds: +7500 to win the Stanley<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>
\nCup <\/o:p><\/p>\n

Players to Watch: RW<\/span> Nikolai Zherdev<\/span> had 27 goals and 27 assists last season but was
\ncalled out by Sergei<\/span> Fedorov<\/span>
\nto contribute even more. It will be interesting to watch how Zherdev<\/span> reacts to Fedorov\u2019s<\/span>
\ncriticisms. Fedorov<\/span>, incidentally, is out another
\nmonth or so with <\/span>a<\/span>
\nshoulder injury. C Brule is considered by many hockey fans to be a legitimate
\nCalder Trophy candidate. LW<\/span> Rick Nash scored 31 goals
\nlast season but needs to stay healthy. Rugged defenseman Bryan Berard<\/span> underwent surgery on his back late last season, and
\nhis health is in question heading into the season. <\/o:p><\/p>\n

Outlook: It\u2019s a good bet that Columbus<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>
\nwill definitely score more goals this season with the addition of Modin<\/span> and Brule. However, the Jackets could allow even more
\ngoals than they did last season. Many sportsbooks project the Blue Jackets
\nfinishing in third place in the Central Division behind powerhouses Detroit<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>
\nand Nashville<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>. If G Leclaire<\/span> can stay healthy and if the young defensemen come
\ntogether as a unit, the Blue Jackets might be able to slip into the playoffs.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

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