Metropolitan Division Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets Are Coming For The Rangers

Apr 6, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (74) makes a save from his back while being contacted by New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

For years, the Columbus Blue Jackets have been bottom feeders in the entire NHL, struggling to gain any exposure or go on any long runs. There has been no sniffing of a Stanley Cup, much less a division title.

The Blue Jackets have only been in existence since 2000, and in those 15 seasons they have won a total of two playoff games. After making the playoffs in 2013, the Blue Jackets took a step back last year, missing the playoffs. A lack of goal scoring and a roster decimated by injuries kept the Blue Jackets from making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in their history.

There hasn’t been much reason for optimism in the past, as Columbus is not a place that draws top talent via free agency, and many homegrown stars, like current Ranger Rick Nash, have wanted out for greener pastures.

However, with new, smarter management, the Blue Jackets are on the verge of a breakthrough, and the people of Columbus might finally have a team worth rooting for. They have a young nucleus anchored by stud center Ryan Johansen. The trades the Blue Jackets have made over the last couple of years have added veterans to fit their system of big, physical, fast forwards, much like the Boston Bruins had during their cup-run years.

And to add a little more spice to it, there are still players on both teams that have spent times on opposite ends, some with bitter feelings towards the guys who they were traded for (Hey, Dubi, I’m looking at you guy).

So without further ado, let’s take a look at what we can expect from the Blue Jackets in the division and against the Blueshirts this year.

Next: The Team as a Whole Last Season

Sep 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Nationwide Arena. The Wild won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Statistically speaking, it was a pretty average year from the Blue Jackets.

They were 42-35-5 with 89 points, finishing fifth in the Metropolitan division, and and 23rd in the league overall. while finishing with a goal differential of -21, which was 23rd overall.

The defense was the downfall of the Blue Jackets. They allowed 248 goals, 6th most in the NHL. The power play was good, converting at a 21.7 percent clip, best for fifth in the NHL. The penalty kill, however, was in the bottom-third of the league at 80.2 percent.

Against the Rangers, the Blue Jackets also had a tough time. They only won one game against the Rangers, and it came within the first few weeks of the season. Two of the games required overtime with one going to a shootout, and three of the four games played were all one-goal games. Both teams scored 12 goals in the season series.

Marko Dano, who we’ll talk about more later, was the best player in the season series against the Rangers for the Blue Jackets. He had three goals and two assists for five points and a +/- of 4 while only averaging 12:59 per game.

Next: Best Player in Regular Season

Nov 11, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save on Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Foligno, who was recently named captain of the Blue Jackets, had a breakout season.

Foligno played in 79 games, scoring 31 goals (best for 13th in the league), 42 assists for an impressive 73 points. He led his team in goals, points, power play goals (11), and +/- (16).

In addition to his impressive totals, he played well against the Rangers, totaling one goal and five points.

Next: Offseason Additions

May 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates after scoring on Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) during the first period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jackets made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason, acquiring Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks in a seven player deal that shocked some. The Blackhawks had a pending cap crunch, and were forced to shed of salaries, but many people were expecting them to find a way to keep Saad.

Saad is the same type of player as Chris Kreider. Both are strong, physical forwards who also have incredible speed for their size. Saad played in every game for the Blackhawks, scoring 23 goals and 52 points. He also game up big in the postseason scoring eight goals, best for third on the Blackhawks. Saad is only 22, and he has already won two Stanley Cups.

The Blue Jackets definitely envision a top line anchored by Johansen and Saad for years to come, as they signed Saad, who was a restricted free agent, to a six-year. $36 million deal.

The Blue Jackets also signed veteran Gregory Campbell to a two-year deal worth $3 million. Campbell is a solid depth forward who can kill penalties. His best days a third or fourth line anchor, but he can still contribute to a good team.

Next: Offseason Departures

Mar 19, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Marko Dano (56) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. The Columbus Blue Jackets won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jackets lost a decent amount of players this offseason, some big and some small.

In the deal that netted Saad, they traded away former Ranger Artem Anisimov,  top-prospect Dano, whom Ranger fans should be happy to see go, as he was the leading scorer against the Rangers last year, in addition to prospects Jeremy Morin and Corey Tropp. This was a substanital haul, but the Blue Jackets should have enough to replace those players, in addition to adding a top-tier talent like Saad

Brian Gibbons signed with the Rangers, becoming yet another player that has played for both teams. Mark Letestu left to Canada, signing with the Edmonton Oilers as a UFA.

Next: Questions Facing the Team

March 18, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Todd Richards as they played the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Rexall Place. Blue Jackets won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz- USA TODAY Sports

The biggest question surrounding the Blue Jackets is if they will make the leap.

They are a young team with a ton of talent, and they also have a good group of veterans around those young players. They also have an excellent goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky, who is just two years removed from winning the Vezina trophy.

However, they did not make the playoffs last year, and if they stumble out of the gates again, coach Todd Richard’s seat might get hot. This is a team that has high expectations, and experts around the league are tabbing them as one of the winners of the offfseason. As we know, you can look excellent on paper and then flop in the regular season; that is the beauty of this game.

But if Saad and Johansen show good chemistry, this team could soar to new heights. Obviously, they still have some holes on the back-end. Jack Johnson is one of the more overrated defenseman in the league, and the rest of the defense corps is rather weak. They need David Savard to continue to get better, and they would also benefit from a youngster breaking through.

Next: Division Predictions