2014-15 record: 42-35-5 (89 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Nick Foligno
Last year, the Columbus Blue Jackets were expected to expand upon their breakout 2013-14 season in which they made the playoffs. However, a slow start and over 500-man games lost helped stunt the team's growth as they missed the playoffs. This year, they add a couple of Stanley Cup winners up front and will rub rabbit's feet that they can avoid the trainer's room as much as possible. Their offense didn't suffer too greatly, as both Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno led the team in points while being one few players that didn't miss any significant time, with Johansen being one of just two players to play all 82 games (David Savard was the other). Continued production from those two players and Scott Hartnell, plus bounce back years from Boone Jenner and Brandon Dubinsky would keep the team heading in the right direction. It would also help if any of Alexander Wennberg, Kerby Rychel, or possibly Sonny Milano takes the opportunity to have a breakout year and if either or both Rene Bourque and David Clarkson rediscover their offensive touch.
Defensively, this was where injuries severely tested the team depth, as only Savard and Jack Johnson played more than 70 games. To that end, the Blue Jackets drafted Zach Werenski to help the pipeline, but it would be to their benefit if 2012 first round pick Ryan Murray can stay healthy, as injuries have prevented him from fulfilling his full potential. In goal, this was also where injuries took their toll, as Sergei Bobrovsky was never the player he was in the lockout-shortened 2013 season or even the season where the Blue Jackets made the playoffs. Curtis McElhinney is a fine backup, but 32 games from a career backup is not exactly something that inspires confidence from the fan base.
Prediction: 5th in the Metropolitan Division
Yes, the Blue Jackets improved, but so did the Islanders, Capitals, and Penguins. Even the Rangers, who took a slight step back in the off-season, remain a top contender. That's a formidable challenge for the Blue Jackets to overcome, particularly with the injury bug that hit last season still fresh in the team's mind.
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