Columbus Blue Jackets Preview 2021
In what is their 21st season, our Columbus Blue Jackets preview 2021 - 22 finds that the Jackets are wanting. This team, which made it to the playoffs once in their first decade and five times in their second, are on a downward trend. Last season, after earning four-straight Stanley Cup berths, the Columbus Blue Jackets were 18-26-12 (48 points). They finished last in the temporary Central Division. They did not make the playoffs. This year, we expect more of the same from this team, as they miss the postseason for a second straight year.
Blue Jackets - Key Skaters
Now in his 14th season, wing Jakub Voracek returns to the team he played for from 2008-2011. After a decade with the Flyers, Voracek brings welcomed experience, leadership, and setup chops to the Jackets. Winger Patrik Laine, who came to Columbus from Winnipeg on a trade last season, is a pointmaker, but his 21 points last season came at a huge price, as Laine was minus-29. Our Columbus Blue Jackets preview 2021 - 22 finds that wings Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jakub Voracek and center Boone Jenner possess fine playmaking potential. On defense, Vladislav Gavrikov is a premium two-way player. Also on defense, Zach Werenski is a premium force on the power play as is frontman Jenner.
Columbus Blue Jackets Preview 2021 – Goaltending
Both netminders Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo return. Merzlikins, who’s in his third NHL season, has a two-year mark of 21-21-13 and a 2.56 GAA, and .920 SV%. This season, he could be the team’s primary goaltender. In six NHL seasons, all with the Blue Jackets, Korpisalo posted 69 wins, 56 losses, and 21 OTL. Although he has a career GAA of 2.95 and SV% of .904, last season Korpisalo recorded a 3.95 GAA and .885 SV%. Both marks were worse than the season prior, where his GAA went from 2.60 in 2019-20 to 3.30 and save percentage dipped from .911 to .894.
Columbus Blue Jackets Preview 2021 – Final Word
On June 10, 2021, the Jackets replaced six-year head coach John Tortorella, who was no longer under contract, with assistant Brad Larsen. Larsen, who is 43 years old, inked a three-year deal with the team. As an assistant with Columbus, his primary coaching duties focused on the power play. The good news is Larsen is at home with Columbus and knows the ins and outs of the organization and team. However, our Columbus Blue Jackets preview 2021 - 22 observes that there’s a lot of work to be done before the Blue Jackets can be competitive. Larsen has noted that he knows it’s going to take patience to get the job done at Columbus. He’s right about that. In order for this team to move up, there’s going to be a lot of process to work through.
NHL Metropolitan Division - Columbus Blue Jackets Projection 2021
Finish: 8th
No Postseason Appearance