The Columbus Blue Jackets entered the season with aspirations of taking steps toward becoming a playoff team. The organization hired and then fired Mike Babcock right before training camp. Pascal Vincent was quickly named Babcock’s replacement to mixed reviews. The sudden change became an omen of sorts for how the season would play out. Long-time GM Jarmo Kekalainen was relieved of his duties as the organization lacked a solid direction. Injuries once again ravished the Blue Jackets roster. So what does the offseason hold and what are the steps to dig out of the current hole? Those questions will be resolved soon.
Defensemen Zach Werenski, now healthy, played at an All-Star level. Werenski set a career-high with 57 points as well as 46 assists and was the best blueliner for Columbus game after game. Erik Gudbranson also came alive and had a solid season for a defense that could not hold its own in most games.
Johnny Gaudreau finished with 59 points after a sluggish start to the season. Kirill Marchenko finished with 23 goals and grew his defensive game. Dmitri Voronokov enjoyed a good rookie season and Cole Sillinger had a comeback season so much so that his two-way game has gone next level. Other young players took steps in development which is a good sign for the future.
That is about where the good ends, which leads to the bad. The Blue Jackets lost many games in which they had the lead, young teams often struggle to close games out and that was the case this season. There are some factors to that, Vincent did not have a full offseason to prepare for both training camp and a regular season. Not only did Gaudreau start the season slowly, but other players did as well.
The Blue Jackets glaring deficiency was the defense other than Werenski and Gudbranson the defense was for the most part a hot mess. Playing net front to take direct shots away the Blue Jackets got beat time after time with shots from the slot.
At the end of the season, Pascal Vincent was asked about having such a young team and if more veterans were/ are needed, his short answer was yes. The Blue Jackets were too young to compete game after game.
Columbus had received 30-40 names interested in the GM opening but is not expected to interview that many. John Davidson said they want someone who will come in and shake the foundation. Oftentimes a new GM will bring in their guy (coach) Vincent said he wants to be in Columbus badly.
The first order of business for the new GM will be to assess the entire organization and go from there. While the regular season has ended the offseason is gearing up and in Columbus, it will be an interesting one.
