In the dog days of the 2023 offseason, it has given me the time to look ahead, become optimistic, and wonder what is ahead for the boys in Union Blue. The page turns. The sun rises. And with this comes new questions. With that in mind, here is my perspective, share yours:
1. How will Babcock do in his first year with Columbus?
2. Can Adam Fantilli win the Calder?
3. Will Elvis rebound?
4. Is the injury bug looming around?
5. How many 30 goal scorers are there going to be?
6. How many point per game producers are there going to be?
7. Is there a Cole Sillinger redemption arc?
8. Does David Jiricek crack the main roster full time?
9. Is this the last season Jarmo Kekalainen the general manager?
10. Is there a dark horse that will make the roster?
11. Is there an in-season trade?
12. Is Daniil Tarasov ready to be the full time backup?
13. Who will lead the team in goal scoring?
14. Who will represent the club at the All Star game?
15. Is this team a playoff team?
16. How will Ivan Provorov fair in his first season?
17. How will Damon Severson do with his new team?
18. Who is the number one center?
19. Who will step up if there are more injuries?
20. Kent Johnson had 40 points for fifth on the team and no Calder nominations. Will this be motivation, or are we bound to see a sophomore slump?
21. Will Kirill Marchenko equal his assist and goal production this season?
22. Can Patrik Laine be the sniper advertised from 2016?
23. Is this Yegor Chinakov’s last chance?
24. How many fights will we see?