Columbus Blue Jackets preview: Third in Metropolitan
2013-14 results: 43-32-7, fourth in Metropolitan
Story line: Blue Jackets want winning to be habit forming
Arrivals: LW Scott Hartnell (trade with Philadelphia Flyers), C Brian Gibbons (free agent)
MORE: Team power rankings
Departures: C R.J. Umberger (traded to Flyers), RW Matt Frattin (traded to Toronto Maple Leafs), LW Blake Comeau (signed with Pittsburgh Penguins), RW Jack Skille (signed with New York Islanders), D Nick Schultz (signed with Flyers)
Goaltending: Only 25, Sergei Bobrovsky (32-20-5, 2.38, .923) already has a Vezina Trophy and a world championship gold. He went 8-0 to help Russia win the world title last spring. Curtis McElhinney (10-11-1, 2.70, .909) backs up.
Analysis: The Blue Jackets lost in the first round, but their spirited performance showed they are headed in the right direction. They acquired gritty Hartnell to make the team more playoff ready. In Ryan Johansen (once signed), Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Nathan Horton (once healthy) and Hartnell, the Blue Jackets have an offense that could rank in the top 10. The Blue Jackets are a physical team, finishing second in hits. Their defense is led by Jack Johnson, who will play 25 minutes a game, plus James Wisniewski and Fedor Tyutin. Look for Ryan Murray to be a 20-minute defender this season. He has a slick offensive touch.
Breakthrough candidate: C Boone Jenner, 21, should play an expanded offensive role. He could be a 20-goal scorer.
Youngster to watch: Swedish C Alex Wennberg, 19, the Blue Jackets' 2013 first-rounder, seems ready to become a regular. He is 6-2 and responsible defensively.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and center Ryan Johansen (19) are having contract issues.(Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)
What the team really needs: To get Johansen signed and into training camp. Given this team's promise, a protracted, messy Johansen squabble would hurt.
Key question: Will Horton get healthy? The key 2013 offseason signing missed most of last season with injury and is out again during training camp.
Top returning leaders
Forecast: The Blue Jackets should make the playoffs for the second consecutive season and third time in team history.
Goals: Ryan Johansen, 33
Assists: James Wisniewski, 44
Points: Johansen, 63
Plus-minus: Boone Jenner, Fedor Tyutin, +6
Penalty minutes: Brandon Dubinsky, 98
Projected Eastern Conference standings Kevin Allen grades teams' offseason moves
Shots: Johansen, 237
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