5 reasons for optimism about the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023-24
There is still work left for the Blue Jackets to complete before training camp, but enough changes have taken place to boost optimism.
Nothing could rival the excitement of signing Johnny Gaudreau last summer, but steps were taken this offseason to rebound quickly from a miserable 2022-23 campaign, including changes to the coaching staff, trades to bolster the blue line and drafting Michigan star Adam Fantilli third overall.
Summer optimism reigns supreme again in Columbus, and here are five reasons why:
Columbus Blue Jackets fortified defense with Provorov, Severson deals
The Blue Jackets have struggled defensively since John Tortorella’s final season running the bench in 2021. An aging defensive corps was the biggest culprit that season, but that quickly shifted the past two years.
Former coach Brad Larsen never had much of a chance to compete during his two seasons as Tortorella’s replacement because the Blue Jackets’ back end was too green. A slew of injuries made that even more noticeable last season, when Columbus goalies were routinely hung out to dry by defensive miscues and the Jackets allowed a franchise-record 330 goals. Adding proven defensemen Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson in trades completed 72 hours apart in June should help.
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Zach Werenski’s return from a torn shoulder labrum will also solidify the defense and his scoring touch will be a welcome sight. Werenski, Provorov, Severson and Erik Gudbranson are all seasoned vets, while most of the remaining defensive candidates have logged enough NHL ice time to matter now.
Columbus should be a significantly improved team defensively, especially with the hiring of coach Mike Babcock.
Columbus Blue Jackets should be healthier in 2023-24
It’s hard to fathom how damaged the Blue Jackets were by injuries from start to finish.
Patrik Laine’s sprained elbow in the second period of the season-opener started the snowball and it rolled into along into 563 man-games lost, a franchise record by 55 games.
The Blue Jackets will likely stay healthier.
Defensive uptick will help Columbus Blue Jackets goalies
Assuming better health and defensive play, look for goalies Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov to have better results. Both have struggled the past two years, but no goalie could have thrived behind what Blue Jackets goalies faced in waves of scoring chances.
They’ll still need to perform better, especially Merzlikins, but figuring out where shots are coming from shouldn’t be nearly as difficult with the additions of Provorov and Severson.
Merzlikins shined as a rookie in 2019-20, but that was a Blue Jackets team that was dedicated to staying in playoff contention via goal suppression. Given a similar defensive effort in the season ahead, there's no reason Merzlikins and Tarasov can't help turn the Blue Jackets into a stingy team again.
Mike Babcock gives Columbus Blue Jackets coaching experience
Coaches don’t rack up 700 NHL wins plus a Stanley Cup, two Olympic gold medals and multiple world championships by presiding over poor defensive teams. Babcock is meticulous game-planner who deploys a defensive system that will make it easier for the Jackets' goalie to anticipate what’s about to happen.
During 17 seasons split between the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, his teams have allowed roughly 225 goals per season while scoring nearly 250. The Blue Jackets scored 214 last season finished with a -116 goal differential, so even an average “Babcock season” would be a giant improvement.
That might not be enough to get them into the playoffs for the first time since 2020, but they'd be in the postseason conversation around the March 1 trade deadline. That’s a much better spot than they’ve had the past three years.
Columbus Blue Jackets have improved center depth
Winning requires strong goaltending, solid defensive play and quality depth down the middle.
The Blue Jackets haven’t ever met all those requirements in the same season, but they're getting closer. Drafting Fantilli could immeasurably improve the Blue Jackets’ situation at center ice.
Expectations should be tempered for his rookie season, but Fantilli has the tools to become an elite center. He’s fast, powerful, owns a heavy shot and plays with an edge that could benefit the Blue Jackets’ top line as long as it doesn’t send him to the penalty box too much.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets select center Adam Fantilli third in NHL draft
The Blue Jackets have additional center options in captain Boone Jenner, Cole Sillinger, Sean Kuraly, rookie Dmitri Voronkov, Jack Roslovic or even Kent Johnson, Justin Danforth and Alexandre Texier.
Jenner’s the favorite to center the top line, but Fantilli could push for that role if he can make the steep adjustment from college to the NHL in winning faceoffs. He’ll likely start out centering the second or third line, while Voronkov, Sillinger and Kuraly battle for the remaining two spots in the middle.
Regardless of who lines up at center ice, the Blue Jackets will be deeper at that key position and better for it.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 5 reasons for optimism about the Columbus Blue Jackets
