Is Marc Denis ready for prime-time goaltending duties? Is Rick Nash ready to make the jump to the NHL? Can the Blue Jackets return to their inaugural-season form?

ESPN.com asked for your thoughts about the Blue Jackets. Here is an edited sampling of your responses:

Ray Whitney is as close to a point-per-game player that Columbus has ever known, which is actually a quality that about 70 percent of NHL teams can't boast. If he plays a full year, the fans will cheer a desperately needed star forward ... which should help mask another losing season.

Johnny Schatz Phoenix

It's safe to say the Blue Jackets will not win the Stanley Cup this year. However, I am very optimistic they will compete every game, and with a little luck, could fight for the eighth playoff spot in the West. That might be a stretch, but I think they are definitely within a few years of making the playoffs, if they don't make it this year. In any case, they have arguably the most dedicated fans in the game (along with Colorado, Detroit, and Carolina), one of the best arenas in the league, and top-notch management from top to bottom. Any way you slice it, the city of Columbus has a lot to look forward to.

David Wilson
Columbus, Ohio

This franchise has done everything right in building this team. No question this team is built for the future. They just have to keep getting younger players and some veterans to teach them and wait for the youngsters to continue to grow. The only question is whether Denis can handle the goaltending on his own. If he can, it will go a long way for this club.

Sean Leary
Worcester, Mass.

The Blue Jackets need offense now or their season will definitely be a repeat of 2001-2002. Eight Columbus forwards are under 6-feet, 200 pounds. Plus, their average age is near 30 -- yikes! That's why they will finish near the bottom offensively again. Mr. Nash can't help out fast enough. Come the end of the season, watch those plus/minus stats; it'll remind you of the temperature on a cold hockey night in Edmonton. If the Blue Jackets can't light the lamp again this season, their fans may rename them the straight-jackets.

Bob Zabaga
Exton, Pa.

Whoopty-doo, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Average goalies. First line would be just about any other team's third line. Defense is average. Rick Nash better be the player they hope he is, or this team could quickly begin to look like Tampa Bay and Vincent Lacavalier. Final words: Hang on to your seats Columbus fans, you might break 175 goals next year. Yippie.

Jeremy Ruckel
Austin, Texas

Being a PSL holder since the team's inception, I was extremely disappointed with the play of the team last season. I felt that there was a sense of complacency on the player's part and that the coaching staff was ineffective in motivating the players. I am exited about the free agent acquisitions that they have made and I think that they will be much improved on the blue line this season. I also like the fact that they added more size as well as character guys that will make teammates and opponents accountable. I think that a 70-point season is a reasonable goal, although I think the playoffs are still a few years away.

Jim Marshall
Dublin, Ohio

Last season was a real trial for the team and the results mystified all who watched it and remembered the inaugural season. In the end, what puzzled most fans was the apparent lack of leadership on and off of the ice. Players like Tyler Wright and Kevin Dineen maintained their roles as spark-igniters, but it seemed to most like there was nothing to get this team going when it really mattered most. This town loves its team, and the love affair will continue to get stronger as long as they start winning a bit more (a .500 record wouldn't hurt). The 2002-2003 season will be a real test of the fans' relationship. Nobody wants a repeat of last year. I think Doug MacLean understands this and has made the appropriate moves as a result.

Bill McNally
Marysville, Ohio