Summary of last season
The Columbus Blue Jackets had a disappointing season last year, finishing as the bottom feeder in the Metro division. Despite acquiring star forward Johnny Gaudreau, they only managed to earn 59 points. The team struggled on the road, winning just 9 out of 41 games away from home. Their goal differential of -116 was one of the worst in the NHL. Offensively, Columbus had the lowest goal count in the Eastern Conference, with only 214 goals scored. Their power play unit was also subpar, converting on just 18.3% of opportunities.
Gaudreau was the leading point scorer for the Blue Jackets, recording 74 points (21 goals, 53 assists). However, the team lacked offensive contributions from other players, with only four others surpassing 30 points. Boone Jenner led the team in goals with 26, despite playing in only 68 games. Patrick Laine finished second on the team with 52 points in just 55 games. Columbus struggled in net as well, with six different goalies making appearances. They allowed an average of 4 goals per game and posted a .891 save percentage.
As we look ahead to the 2023-24 season, let’s examine what can be expected from the Columbus Blue Jackets:
Key Additions/Losses
The Blue Jackets made some moves this offseason, acquiring defensemen Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov via trades. However, the team’s offseason has otherwise been quiet.
X-Factors
Chemistry- The team’s previous coach, Mike Babcock, was fired before even coaching a game due to concerns about his treatment of players. Reports suggest that treatment varied between established veterans and younger, unproven players, potentially causing issues in the locker room.
Gaudreau– It is crucial for the Blue Jackets to protect Gaudreau from potential long-term injuries by managing his playing time effectively during the offseason.
With the team lacking a leader and facing various challenges, someone will need to step up and take charge.
Goalie Outlook
The Blue Jackets used six different goalies last season, with Joonas Korpisalo being the most reliable in his 28 appearances. However, Korpisalo has since been traded to Ottawa. Elvis Merzilikins will serve as the team’s starting goalie this season. Merzilikins struggled last year, allowing an average of 4.23 goals per game and posting a .876 save percentage. Overall, Columbus allowed an average of 4 goals per game last season, and losing their best goalie leaves a significant gap.
Grade: F
Key Schedule Stretch
The 2024 offseason- Columbus will have an opportunity to address their issues and make improvements during the offseason. With several areas to address, including coaching, the team will aim to turn their fortunes around. While they may compete with the Sharks for the worst team in the league next season, they should have a good chance at securing a high draft pick and adding another star player to complement Gaudreau.
Notable Odds
- Stanley Cup Champions – +15000
- Conference Winner – +7500
- Division Winner – +18000
- To Make the Playoffs- Yes- +900
Prediction
In a previous post, I projected the Blue Jackets to surpass the 72.5-point mark. However, considering their lack of improvement and various distractions within the team, I am revising my prediction. It is unlikely that Columbus will improve by 14 points to meet the over on the team point total. Therefore, I predict that the Blue Jackets will have under 72.5 total points this season.
Under 72.5 Team Total Points
Stanley Cup 2023/24 Odds
Outright
Carolina Hurricanes +900
Toronto Maple Leafs +1000
Colorado Avalanche +900
Edmonton Oilers +900
New Jersey Devils +900
Vegas Golden Knights +1200
Boston Bruins +1500
Dallas Stars +1400
New York Rangers +1400
Florida Panthers +1600
Los Angeles Kings +2000
Tampa Bay Lightning +2000
Minnesota Wild +3300
Buffalo Sabres +3300
Calgary Flames +3300
Pittsburgh Penguins +2800
Seattle Kraken +2800
Ottawa Senators +4000
New York Islanders +5000
Vancouver Canucks +5000
Detroit Red Wings +6600
Nashville Predators +6600
St. Louis Blues +5000
Washington Capitals +8000
Winnipeg Jets +5000
Chicago Blackhawks +15000
Columbus Blue Jackets +10000
Anaheim Ducks +15000
Philadelphia Flyers +15000
Arizona Coyotes +25000
Montreal Canadiens +25000
San Jose Sharks +25000
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
