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There were few frowns to be found at Nationwide Arena last season as Columbus quickly transformed into a hockey-crazed town supporting the overachieving Blue Jackets. The "expansion team" label was quickly removed by GM Doug MacLean and coach Dave King, who created an exciting team that produced 71 points in the Jackets' inaugural season. Now the challenge for the players, coaches, administration and fans is to keep things going this season. While MacLean maintains that developing young talent is Columbus' No. 1 priority, he acquired veteran Mike Sillinger to complement Ray Whitney at center ice. Re-signing leading scorer Geoff Sanderson will likely prevent more acquisitions for the Jackets. Can Columbus become the next San Jose or Dallas, or will the Jackets falter this season?
Here are your thoughts on what the Blue Jackets need for next season:
Fans have faith in long-term plan
John McConnell, Doug MacLean and Dave (Mc)King have done a great job of building an organization, team and fan base. I believe they are going down a Nashville-like path, which will include getting younger the next couple years but continually improving. We are set in net for the foreseeable future with Tugger, Marc Denis and Pascal Leclaire. Defense was good but will be better with Rusty's presence. Offense was limited to one line, which should also improve this year with the addition of Mike Sillinger. To continue to improve we need only follow the Macs' plan. Don't look for the fans to bail at the first sign of backslide. We're in for the long haul, and we know the organization is as well.
Charley
Columbus, Ohio
Playoffs could be on the horizon
The Blue Jackets have much to be happy about. They finished with more points last year than several established clubs. Columbus will be competitive this upcoming season as well. Ron Tugnutt is showing that he is worth the money spent on him, and Columbus quietly built a decent roster of selfless performers (Mike Sillinger, Deron Quint, Ray Whitney). This team reminds me of the way San Jose and Florida quickly prospered into playoff-caliber teams.
Mike
St. Louis
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Don't look for the fans to bail at the first sign of backslide. We're in for the long haul, and we know the organization is as well. ” |
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— Charley, Columbus, Ohio |
Great expectations for Jackets
The Jackets played far beyond anything I might have expected. Only three first-year teams have had better win totals. The best part of it is that they're fun to watch and I'd rather watch the Jackets compete than the bloated, fat cat Rangers. With Geoff Sanderson's resuscitated career -- 30 goals/56 points -- Petteri Nummelin and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, the team is gritty and solid. Espen Knutsen also came through after the rest of the NHL gave up on him and has blossomed into a top playmaker. Ron Tugnutt was a steal and adds stability. He'll also help develop his heir apparent, the talented Marc Denis, who will be the man for years to come. Rostislav Klesla is one of the top young talents in the game and his presence this season will add to the Jackets' ability to put the puck in the net. Expectations will be high going into this season, but I think the talent is there, and it will deliver.
Serge
Columbus, Ohio
King-MacLean tandem producing great results
Under the excellent management of Doug MacLean, the Jackets have only upside. The deals made at the end of last season, our draft selections and Coach Dave King's ability to get maximum performance from the players makes for an exciting team. Columbus is behind them, and every night at Nationwide Arena should be near capacity.
Michael
Columbus, Ohio
Fans must be patient
Columbus Blue Jackets fans must remember one thing. ... The city of Rome was not built in a day, nor will the Stanley Cup will not be won in one season. "Expansion team" means a building team. Building for the future and for many years to come. Minnesota and Columbus and the entire NHL should be proud of the way the fans gathered around these simple and young teams. While attending all the CBJ games last year, I came to the realization that winning is not everything, and it's the way you play the game that makes all the difference for the fans. I want to root for hockey players who show me true heart, true soul, true grit and true determination, not a flashy superstar that wants all the limelight.
Erik
Columbus, Ohio
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While attending all the CBJ games last year, I came to the realization that winning is not everything, and it's the way you play the game that makes all the difference for the fans. ” |
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— Erik, Columbus, Ohio |
Home ice advantage
I can honestly say that the fans will continue to flood into Nationwide Arena this coming year. The Jackets put on a show every night! They beat the best of the best at home, including Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis and San Jose. And if you take away the first six games at home, the Jackets won eight more than they lost at home, which is incredible. The fans have become very knowledgeable in the game of hockey and are eager for more. The Blue Jackets accumulated 71 points last season, and I think they will play close to the same pace this season. They are still playing all of the tougher Western Conference teams, who will not take the Jackets for granted as much as they did last season. For a second-year team they have a pretty good lineup, and a great coach and GM who are committed to winning. Not to mention that most of the Jackets' players, like Tyler Wright for example, wear their heart on their sleeve every night, giving 110 percent. Doug MacLean is doing it again! They won't be in the finals in two years, but they're well on their way to success.
Tim
Pittsburgh
Young talent, depth further development
The Jackets had a great first season. The city of Columbus really took to the team and to the game itself. As for all expansion teams, offense is the main area of needed improvement. Adding the tandem of Ray Whitney and Mike Sillinger to the Geoff Sanderson/Espen Knutsen line should really help in that department. After drafting Pascal Leclaire, the team is really well-stocked in net. I think that depending on how Marc Denis develops this season, Doug MacLean might use Ron Tugnutt as a trading asset to obtain even more offensive firepower. With Rostislav Klesla on the team playing alongside Lyle Odelein and Jamie Pushor, the Jackets' defense should be even better. We may not make the playoffs this year, but I think an 80-point season is definitely within reach.
John
Columbus, Ohio
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This team reminds me of the way San Jose and Florida quickly prospered into playoff-caliber teams. ” |
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— Mike, St. Louis |
Sillinger bolsters scoring
As long as Tugger can stay healthy and Geoff Sanderson stays in town, the Blue Jackets have a shot to make a run for the eighth spot in West. At 33, team captain Lyle Odelein provides veteran leadership on a team that is a mix of many players who never got to show their talent until Columbus gave them ice time. With Ray Whitney playing healthy and reunited with Mike Sillinger, you might see something that wasn't seen much in the Columbus area much last year -- offense.
Rick
North Canton, Ohio
Jackets stacked in net
Their one strength is most definitely goaltending. I'm a big Ron Tugnutt fan, especially when he gets red hot (i.e. first round of playoffs with Penguins in 2000). Even after him, they've got two great netminders in Marc Denis and newly-drafted Pascal Leclaire. Talk about a tandem of the future! Goaltending is the cornerstone of any team (look at what the L.A. Kings did with Felix Potvin), and the Blue Jackets have secured that for years to come. In the meantime, they'll have some low seasons with which they can build through the draft.
Ben
Los Angeles
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