Blue Jackets Season Preview
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2009 Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 42/1
2009 Odds to win Conference: 30/1
Players Added: Sami Pahlsson, Mathieu Garon
Players Lost: Christian Backman, Michael Peca, Manny Malholtra, Jason Williams
Preview: In the offseason Columbus superstar Rick Nash signed a major 9-year contract with the Blue Jackets that shows his optimism about this team’s future. Clearly he wouldn’t have signed such a deal if he expected this team to be a floundering 7th or 8th place team forever, however it’s not likely this team will turn overnight, or even in one season.
In my opinion the Blue Jackets success last year came from the unexpected debut of rookie goaltender Steve Mason. The offseason moves (or lack thereof) of this team show that they are putting far too much faith in a goaltender who likely will crack under the expectations the same way Carey Price has in Montreal.
With no significant movement in the offseason and too much pressure on two individual players, this team will probably disappoint, and begin a fight for that last playoff spot in the middle of January.
2009 NHL Predictions – Columbus Blue Jackets
Division: 4th
Conference: 13th
Wins: 36