30 teams in 30 days: Columbus Blue Jackets
Finished: 7th eastern conference
Playoffs: Lost in first round to Detroit
Who did they add?: Samuel Pahlsson, Mathieu Garon
Who did they lose?: No key losses.
Overview: The 2008-09 season saw the Columbus Blue Jackets make the playoffs for the first time in their history. The Blue Jackets organization guided the team in the right direction over the past few years, and now they finally have a solid, playoff calibre roster. The forward group is led by Rick Nash, a solid goal-scorer, and he is complemented by a plethora of young talented players including Antoine Vermette, Derick Brassard and Nikita Filatov. If their forwards can produce and stay healthy, then they should be able to put up monster numbers. Their defense corps is iffy though, with Mike Commodore and Rusty Klesla leading the group. These guys are aging and slow, and perhaps not the perfect models for the new NHL, but Commodore managed to post 24 points and a +11 rating last year and will need similar, if not better, production this year. Their goaltending is solid, with reigning calder trophy winner Steve Mason starting and Mathieu Garon backing up. If Steve Mason can avoid the dreaded sophomore curse, their forwards produce and their D is solid, then they should contend for the playoffs, but might have some trouble because of the toughness of the central division.
Winners or losers?: The Blue Jackets were winners this offseason because they solidified their goaltending with the acquisition or Garon and signed a good shutdown forward to help keep the opposition’s top lines in check. They need all the pieces to fall into place if they hope to make the playoffs though.
