Columbus a Contender?

[7joe1 0]

Although i do have some bias, i trully think that this could be a highly successful year for the Bluejackets. Dare i even say a championship contending year?

Let me explain,

I saw that the jackets picked up Foote and Berard to fill some much needed defensive experience and expertise, and also landed the 6th pick in the draft --most of which has been centered around Sidney Crosby-- who looks prospectively to be a very valuable asset to the club. I think that with the new defensive depth added to the team, Columbus will be able to use their already deep offense more effectively. I think that this will give the columbus forwards more freedom to play an offensive game without worrying about defensive lapses every other play.

I think the NHL lockout will have been quite beneficial to the jackets because it puts all the teams and organizations back on the same page. Whatever momentum the powerhouse teams had a year ago surely has been washed away with the many hours of golf, deepwater fishing and lets not forget the extensive trading process that all teams have been forced to endure. In my eyes, columbus has only gained from this past year of what seemed to be tragic for hockey and its sponsors.

I think that with the prominent presence of Nash on the ice, along with his equally impressive teamate, Zherdev, backed by players like Vyborny, Sanderson and Marchant who are all somewhat veterans of the game; this could be the breakout year for the columbus bluejackets.

[Sven 1]

Well i would be happy if they could be in the finals but there are several other teams which are better or at least as good as CBJ.

I wish them the best. I like em.

[Miike 1]

They most defiantly have a chance.

[Bane 1]

It all depends on whether or not they can play well as a team. Also, one area that still needs to be addressed for them is a play making center for Nash and Zherdev.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Depends on Brule, but I doubt it. 2 young forwards, who are great, a one-way defenseman and Foote. They'll be much improved, but I doubt they'll "contend"

[JGraz15 53]

They are a solid team....I would rank them top 7 right now...it all depends how the young players develop and gel together.

I for one am hoping they are great...

They have Nash, Zherdev, Brule, Picard, Fritsche, Malholtra, Sanderson, Wright, Vyborny, Foote, Berard, Klesla, Suchy....fun to watch to say the least

[tokes 0]

I think CBJ will make it in as a 7 seed, and get crushed first round.

I just don't see you adding a handful of free agents to a team with one superstar, and expecting them to have the chemistry to go from a team that wins 25 games, scores the second least goals, and lets in the seventh most goals, to a contender.

[Chadd 916]

They need some offensive help in the middle but they are improving in their weak areas.

[Smith 0]

*cough* need a coach *cough*

[Bane 1]

*cough* need a coach *cough*

They have a great coach in Assistant Dean Blais. I think they hired him, expecting Gallant to not be the coach long term. They hired him before the lockout. OK, he's unproven in the NHL but he was a great coach at University of North Dakota leading them to three national championships.

[supahdon 0]

Remember that Anaheim and Calgary have made it out of the West the previous two playoffs, so who knows?

Columbus probably needs some more depth before I'd personally consider them a contender, but they have no doubt improved in signing Foote.

[$-Money9 0]

They just signed Martin Prusek who I think is a good enough to be a starting goaltender. I think they have a good chance.

[Bane 1]

They just signed Martin Prusek who I think is a good enough to be a starting goaltender. I think they have a good chance.

I hope they don't replace Denis. Denis is a good goaltender that didn't have a good team in front of him.

[pantherfan 0]

if nash was given some more top-class support eg. centre and right wing that first line would be incredible i would like to see if next season if he puts up more points that 03/04 or less seeing as then he was joint goal scoring leader

[Chadd 916]

They just signed Martin Prusek who I think is a good enough to be a starting goaltender. I think they have a good chance.

I hope they don't replace Denis. Denis is a good goaltender that didn't have a good team in front of him.

This gives them a quality backup who can give Denis a night off and still give the team a chance to win. Another very good move by the BJ's.

[Sniper15 0]

I don't think they'll make the playoffs or even get close, I forsee them be terrible like they usually are.

[SR27 0]

They have made some good moves for sure but I don´t see them Top 8.

[Chadd 916]

They have made some good moves for sure but I don´t see them Top 8.

comsidering the current rosters of each team, they will win more games than the Penguins and people are going gaga over the Pens.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

Columbus will most definitely not contend for the cup, and I most definitely would not put them in my top 7 ranking of NHL teams. They should however lock up a playoff spot somewhere b/w 6-8 in the west, as they are much improved over the last NHL season. Foote was a brilliant pickup.

I am however, excited about this new season as there should be many fresh faces in the playoffs, and possibly contending, including Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Florida, Pittsburgh, and as much as I hate to say it, Anahiem, among the usual suspects.

[mik3 1]

Prusek is $$$$, I wanted to see him get a starting job somewhere.