A Look at the Columbus Blue Jackets After Missing the 2023 Playoffs 

Columbus STH here, there is a tremendous amount of excitement in the fanbase around our young players. Marchenko, Johnson, Chinakhov, Sillinger, and then some of our upcoming players through development like Jordan Dumais, Luka DBB, and Jiricek have driven a lot of season ticket sales this past offseason. If the Defensive talent develops nicely and the Goaltending issues get resolved, there's hope that there could be a really nice window open in a few years.

I think Jarmo Kekalainen has actually been a pretty solid GM in that he's done pretty well at drafting and trades. The injuries this season go mostly to the training staff and that's an area I think Columbus should address. Better training and conditioning helps players avoid minor injuries and return sooner after missing games. The head coach of course needs to be replaced, as well as hiring a good goalie coach. As for players, IMO the defense and checking should be prioritized. Give Elvis or Tarasov a clear line of sight and they'll make the save. Check hard and pound the other team on the attack and they can't make plays. Given that Laine is injury prone, I'd even consider putting an old fashioned enforcer out there with him. Send a message to opponents to lay off or face the wrath.

The past two years, really, haver been a nightmare, starting with the loss of promising new goaltender Matiss Kivlenics. This year, more than half the team has been out injured most ofd the year to the point that someone sitting behind me one night commented that they were playing lioke a minor league team too which I turned around and said that thry are a minor league team. Most of them were from the Cleveland Monsters. How they managed, I will never know.

Also Dumais looks like a interesting prospect.

Always like this Columbus team..an experienced head coach with a solid winning resume would be a welcome add to things.

While the Kings are my team, I still like the Blue Jackets from my time living in Columbus a few years ago. I'd really like to see the Jackets get better because I love hockey and I hate seeing a team be so unsuccessful for so long.

Definitely feeling optimistic about next year! Appreciate your (usually) solid coverage of my Jackets. 👍

If any team "deserves" Bedard, it's the CBJ. They went out and played hard at the beginning of the season. Not just the guys on the ice, but the coaches/GMs seemed to give off the vibe that they wanted to be a contender this year and not just rebuilding. I don't cheer for them, but I gotta respect the effort they made this season and hope they'll be much better next season. Also, they have the best logos in the league.

injuries were bad, we were playing with an AHL roster the majority of the time, but i don't think we make the playoffs next year. if we get bedard we maybe get close but i don't see us turning this around as fast as i'd like us to

The thing with Columbus is that they were very injured, very young and not very well coached all season. This is a trinity of issues that would derail any team's season, but can also be fixed easily with some time. Last season they probably overperformed, but this season they definitely underperformed significantly. They will also get rewarded with a top prospect for this season's woes. I think they'll surprise a lot of people already next season even if that prospect is not Bedard, or perhaps even more so in that case. The only caveat to that is what happens with the coaching over the summer.

I really hope Columbus wins the draft lottery!

I like their rebuild and their prospect pool looks great. They remind of the MLB Astros in the years 2012-2014. They need to get their goaltending sorted out, and I don't have a good feeling for Elvis. Also they should get one very good center. After that a good coach who knows how to handle young players. Then a bit psychological training to be able to dream big, and I see a huge climb upward. What has made the Astros so great is how they develop young players. If Columbus can do the same, they will be a real factor soon.

Thanks! 1st year hockey 🏒 fan here in Columbus, Ohio. Jackets gotta be better 🙏🏼. Learning a lot from your show.

6:04 I just started setting a scouting assignment in NHL 23 for a scout named Gillies at the exact time shannon said "Gillies"

I think the fact that Johnny Hockey wanted to go to Columbus, shows that they could really blossom, the right prospects here and there, then suddenly they are stunning everyone. Johnny wasn't bad, but his team looked like a casualty list from WWII with all the injuries, so naturally his numbers suffered, Columbus and the Midwest at large are nice wholesome places to live and raise a family and aren't too far away from home. I really think with the right building and coaches, they can really become a great team.

i think the jackets are 2 years out from the playoffs. a lot of quality prospects, they could rebound quicker than expected. especially if the ping pong balls bounce right. what needs to happen this offseason: sign/trade for a top-4 d-man, get a reliable backup goalie (preferably a vet). overhaul the coaching staff, i would bring in a vet HC. would also overhaul the training staff, the jackets injury problems have been ongoing for years.

Gaudreau - Jenner - Marchenko Texier - Johnson - Laine Chinakhov - Sillinger - Roslovic Foudy - Kuraly - Olivier This is a forward core that can compete with the best when fully healthy. Adding a top 4 pick this year, Voronkov, and Dumais makes it even better. And if Bemstrom, Robinson Danforth, or Foudy can figure out how to finish in the NHL, their offense won't be the concern. Defense is much more worrisome. Very few veterans. But we'll see if Jiricek, Ceulemans, Mateychuk, or Svozil can help improve on that end.

Should they win the draft lottery... Gaudreau-Laine-Bedard-Marchenko-Werenski power play unit sounds dangerous.

I really believe we will have a bounce back next season, I'm convinced we had a poor season due to all the injuries. If we can stay healthy I think we could stay in the hunt of a playoff spot next season.

I would love to see a speculation video on how each eligible team looks with Bedard on their expected roster..

Im fairly optimistic for next year. I keep telling myself the injurys are what killed us all year. They could never get a good cohesion since they never knew whod they be playing with from game to game. Hopefully Elvis gets things figured out and we should be decent.

I expect them to bounce back for sure to at least the level they were at last year. I hope they get an experienced coach more than anything.

Pretty much nothing has gone right for the Jackets since their inception, so I think it’s high time this team finally catches a freaking break. That’s why a part of me hopes Bettman punishes the Ducks for making him look like a fool in front of the entire world. “Nobody in the NHL tanks!” he proudly declares, and then Anaheim goes and engages in the most blatant tank job since the Penguins tanked for Lemieux and caused the lottery to be implemented in the first place. You gonna let them sit there and get away with that, Gary?

They have a cool cannon that is fired when they score a goal at home! For that I'm a fan!

There are two primary perspectives to consider, each with their pros and cons. Team Composition: Very good wing and defensive talent and depth - no one mentioned Dmitri Voronkov is likely to join the Blue Jackets next season. They haven't been able to stay healthy, a handful of core guys had bad years (Merzlikens, Sillinger, and Chinakov), they STILL don't have a first line center, and goalie was a position of strength for years and is now a liability. Roster Management: Promising draft picks. Questionable trades. Poor coaching. If the Blue Jackets don't make the playoffs or aren't competing for a playoff spot towards the end of the season, Jarmo Kekäläinen needs to go. As a CBJ fan, I'm sick of being sold hopes and dreams -- I imagine it's similar to being a Penn State football fan.

I think Columbus will trade their first round pick that they got from LA and a couple prospects for a top d man this summer

The mentioned 3-15 stretch in December - January coincided with the first Boone Jenner injury as well as other injuries. About half the team on the ice was on emergency recall like the last month of the season. It would be difficult for any team to be successful with a third of the season being played with half the team injured.

Im so tired of the "promising young talent" line because we typically end up shipping them off anyway years down the line, just like Bjorkstrand. I just want my team to win. Even though defense was bad last year, they had a lot of GF so they were fun to watch. We need another Nash- another drafted talent to give our club an identity and a new face.

Whereas Jackets fans on Twitter are having meltdowns over not being "guaranteed" first for Bedard, I think Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson fits exactly what they need at the center ice position. And if they end up picking fourth, Will Smith is a stud. While I think they're in a better place than the record shows, consistent goaltending and some more solid defensive philosophy will make the youngsters on this team a headache to play against.

I hope they draft #1 this team could use a superstar, they've never had one

Donal Logue. Kinda looks like Gary Suter on hockey Db thumbnail.

As much as I want my beloved Canucks to get Bedard, my gut feeling is that Columbus gets him. Injuries definitely killed this team early and goaltending was brutal. Losing werenski for the length of time was massive considering nobody stepped up in his place. Lots of talk about Laine not being healthy, but not as much talk about the disappearance of Johnny hockey... would be interesting to see what the team healthy looks like, but last year was probably the best year for everything to fall apart. They will get a solid player wherever they fall or rise in the draft... either Bedard, Fantilli, michkov, or Carlson... I don't think we've actually seen the team that's assembled quite yet... hopefully the injury bug doesn't take another season away from them... wondering how long a leash GM will have

Still upset that these losers decided to start playing hockey in game 81 and beat Pittsburgh for the first time in 4 years to ruin the draft odds

for center on top line between Gudreau and Linie, could Lindholm or Toffoli from Calgary bring needed offense?

Optimism totally depends on lottery. If they get Top 2, I’m optimistic. If they don’t im worried about a desperation trade for Kevin Hayes. Jarmo is on his last leg as a GM if they don’t improve. They need 2 of the d prospects to become nhl regulars (Jiricek & Svozil are my predictions) and a young center to emerge.

Winning that game in ot letting Anaheim pass them ruined their tank and their future. Whatre they gonna do? Bedard fit all the needs.

I really want the krakens to win.

Dear god... we need better coaching staff right now.

This year was a disaster almost comically bad luck with everything. I expect a bounce back due to many young players getting experience in the nhl which will help with growth. There are a lot of really great players in the system that in time will make an impact. Losing bjorkstrand was unexpected and sad for me since he was one of my favourite players. Was happy for his success with the kraken seemed to be a missing piece for them have a great season a real night and day difference.

They shouldve kept quick he did so much for them

Just light a trash can on fire and walk away. Thats basically our season...

jackets need bedard more then any other team

im here for the long run

Haven’t started stockpiling draft picks? In the last three drafts (including this year), the Jackets have had 7 picks in the first round. Is 8 considered the threshold for stockpiling then or what?

My expectations are still in an exoskeleton. CBJ is always an underdog, but usually a great spoiler. John Davidson and Jarmo know their stih. For me, their head coach selection will determine my expectations for '23-'24. Jarmo is like Fred Thompson described in The Hunt for Red October, "Russians, son, don't take a dump without a plan." -but for Jarmo. A lot of the current pool couldn't work there. I don't mean wouldnt want to, i don't believe many could galvanize the current squad. Boone isn't enough, and I think taking the C off and putting it in the drawer should happen.

i'm struggling to find everyone's optimism from this season. i think that this team has been historically poor at developing offensive talent and doesn't really have the depth to surround the top guys with the shape that they'd need in order to score more. what's even hairier is that we tend to be a nightmare to play against bc our defense, our forecheck in particular, was strong, and we don't have it even with werenski back. so not only do we not have a strong offense, but we lack a strong defensive presence that'd let the top offensive guys who (we love u patty) are defensive liabilities. i just hope that we can poach some good guys (pls give us a good 2 way center) this off season

Blue Jackets won playoff rounds past 15 years: 1 Leafs won playoff rounds past 15 years: 1 Blue Jackets 1st line-level centers: 0 Leafs 1st line-level centers: 2 Media about Blue Jackets: Trash Media about Leafs: They're gonna win the cup, this is their year

Bjorkstrand was a REALLY good pull for the Kraken. He was the only goal scorer on Kraken’s side for game 7 yesterday. He managed to get Seattle to that history making defeat of the champs 🎉

If there's anyone I feel bad for, it's Tim Berni: 3 points in 59 games, -26 in his very first season. Talk about a baptism by fire. If there's a way to ruin a prospect's development and confidence, that's how you do it.

Oh!

Light blue color is impossible to read...

Next season, the Columbus Blue Jackets will play what could possibly be their final regular season home games at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. On May 20th, 2024, John P. McConnell will sell the Blue Jackets to Connecticut Sports & Entertainment Group, a Hartford-based coalition led by billionaire hedge fund managers Stephen Mandel Jr. and Cliff Asness, for $975 million, including a relocation fee of $195 million to relocate the Blue Jackets from Columbus to Hartford for the 2024-25 NHL season. On May 24th, 2024, Connecticut Sports & Entertainment Group will finalize and close out the deal to purchase the Blue Jackets. On June 4th, 2024, Connecticut Sports & Entertainment Group and the NHL will hold a press conference at the XL Center in Hartford to announce the completion of a deal to purchase the Blue Jackets. On June 25th, 2024, the NHL Board of Governors will approve both the sale and relocation of the Blue Jackets to Hartford in a 30-2 vote, only Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins and Thomas Dundon of the Carolina Hurricanes will vote against the sale and relocation. After calling Columbus home for 24 years, the Blue Jackets will relocate to Hartford to become the 2nd incarnation of the Hartford Whalers and play their home games at the XL Center beginning in the 2024-25 NHL season.

I live in Ohio and I love Ohio state Buckeyes or Columbus crew but I hate the blue jackets and the owners don’t care about the team or the fans don’t care about winning the championship

I know you have alot of video ideas, id love to see your opinion on early Conn Smythe candidates you probably have something in the works love your content THGOAT

They had a terrible coach, had terrible injury luck. Seems like Columbus should focus on hiring the right coach, and develop all that youbg talent they have. If Seattle can become a threat in two year, Columbus surely can as well. The salary cap era truly evens out the odds. Look at the Panthers, a joke since the their 96 cup run. They have made the playoffs thre straight years, won the President's cup, and now made it back to the cup.

Like I've said before, get Elvis a change of scenery already. He needs it more than anyone in the league. Why not send him to LA for Petersen? You never, ever know with goalies and it honestly can't really get worse.

Would really love to hear what you have to think on Cogliano being out with a fractured neck and Eberle gets nothing absolutely nothing. Dops needs to get it together.

I’m not a liane hater but I’m glad he’s not on my team. As a coach or gm it must be so frustrating seeing a guy who can score at will, go through huge droughts like he does.

People have always slept on us in Cbus. Our time is coming and it’s coming soon. Just gotta stay healthy

I swear this team has been rebuilding since they entered the league

The Blue Jackets with a red sweater. Tells you why they have trouble getting things right. I always root for the Bloojax because I think it would be good for hockey in the US to have a strong base in Ohio, a state that produces a lot of great athletes, but besides Ohio Star football, Ohio seems to be the graveyard of American sports, and the Bloojax are going along with that. Columbus is a nice town. I’ve been there. No reason not to want to live there. I think players just don’t want to play for a team that seems to be a perpetual loser.

I think the blue jackets would benefit from a rebrand. Their logo and jersey have always been one of the worst in the league. There’s all kinds of examples of teams in changing their uniforms and performing better. I’ve always been fascinated by the psychology of colors and uniforms in sports. Same thing with the Wild, they look terrible but just keep the same for years and years.

Nothing in the world would make me happier than to see Columbus lose the lottery and remain in mediocrity

The thing is with Marchenko, 4 assists? Like, really? Not exactly a team player.

Laine and PLD really seem like busts right now

Move the franchise to Quebec City.