Offense - D+
The offense in Columbus has has been young and widespread throughout the team.
There are four 10+ goal scorers — Boone Jenner, Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, and Yegor Chinakov. All Columbus draft selections. The captain and the kids.
There are 13 five plus goal scorers — Emil Bemstorm (demoted), Jack Roslovic (injured), Mathieu Olivier (injured), Eric Robinson (traded), and Brendan Gaunce (captain of AHL) are the only forwards who have not scored five goals on offense. Provorov, Werenski, Gudbranson, Bean, Jiricek, Peeke, Boqvist, and Christainsen have not scored five or more on defense.
The production is tbere on the team to be in the middle of the pack. There are 17 players that have scored 20, and Columbus’ leader is at 13. That’s low. It’s tough sledding for the Blue Jackets. The cold November winless streak did not help them. Whatsoever.
Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine have both been benched for poor offense early on. The rookies have been slowly coming into their own; and the other youngsters have been in slumps.
126 goals for is right in the middle of the pack for the offense.
Defense - D-
There are two defenseman in the top five of point scoring for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Zach Werenski has 25 points on the season, who is currently tied with Johnny Gaudreau and he has played in all 42 games. Werenski has played in 34. Werenski is also one of six Blue Jackets with a plus rating on the season. If it was not for the injury, he was probably set to be the NHL All Star selection by the league. Werenski is showing his worth this season after missing most of last with a horrible shoulder injury. The past few weeks, he has been injured again, and will not be back until after the All Star Break.
Ivan Provorov had a strong presence to begin his time with the Blue Jackets, being the early season leading point scorer. He has been paired frequently with rookie David Jiricek; newcomer Damon Severson; and the frequent healthy scratch of the season Andrew Peeke. Since December 1, Provorov has only had 5 assists. He has not been a plus player this season.
Erik Gubdranson had the magic touch in November, but his toughness stands out amongst the rest. He is the locker room, and the one to drag the team into the fight. He has matched his offensive total to last season, which is an upgrade. He leads in penalty minutes with 51.
Damon Severson has been so-so. He has been even and a point every other game. He was very cold to start the season, and the new head coach sat him for it. He has been playing more minutes this season than his last with New Jersey. He has been rotating between Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov.
David Jiricek has been sheltered this season by the coaching staff. After starting this season and being rotated back and forth with Cleveland, he has held onto a spot full time despite the injuries occurring to the roster. He has his spot, and needs the minutes. Yes, it will expose him, but that’s how a 20 year old will develop and get better in this league.
Jake Bean has been ice cold to start the calendar year. -5 since January. He has out produced last season due to injury. He has had 4 points in his last 7 games. He had 3 points in the previous 32, and being a -5. His second half next to get better before he becomes true trade bait for the organization.
Adam Boqvist has been injury prone once again this season for the Blue Jackets. Only five assists in 15 games. One of the few that is a plus on the ice. He just needs to be healthy for once. This is the lowest production he has had in his career.
Andrew Peeke has been riding the pine this far. Four assists in 13 games and a -5. Not a good look. His value has tanked to the point he is available. Teams are calling on past performance.
Jake Christiansen had a good showing in his few games of action on the main roster, and is one of three from Cleveland headed to their AHL All Star Classic in San Jose, California.
155 goals against is second most allowed by any team in the league behind just San Jose. They need to become more disciplined.
Goaltending - F
Elvis Merzlikins has had a rough year. Spencer Martin was a last minute claim of the waiver wire. Daniil Tarasov has been injured to start the beginning of the season. Jet Greaves had a fair showing, and is the final AHL All Star representative.
-29 for last in the Eastern Conference at 42 games played is not great. They’re only one of one three teams with a -20 or worse goal differential in the East. Only three teams are worse in the goal differential to the Blue Jackets.
Elvis at a 3.25GAA has him 40th in the league; 39 better goalies than him in that department. 0.907 has him 21st with 20 better goaltenders. He has had to play utter worldly to just get the Blue Jackets wins, and he only has 7 out of 23 possible based on his games played. Seven has him tied for 39th. Just not where he should be as the starting goaltender of a franchise. The other three goalies combine for less wins than Elvis.
Spencer Martin has 3 wins out of 13 games played with a 3.65GAA and a 0.887 save percentage. He had a strong start to the season, but that has gone away from him quickly.
Special Teams - D
Power Play - 14.5% 26th
Penalty Kill - 79.8% 16th
Faceoff Percentage - 47.7% 26th
Power Play Goal Scorers - 9
Shorthanded Goal Scorers - 0
This just is not good enough under any circumstance. It’s abysmal. Tough watch especially with the extra skater. It’s a sinking ship with all the experience behind the bench and on the ice.
Coaching - D-
Rookie year for Pascal Vincent and Mark Recchi as the powerplay coach. The former CBJ players that are now coaches are holding their own. Just has not been the year. All the last minute changes did not help Vincent and company.
Management - F
The back and forth of the prospects and not bringing in a top center and goaltender. Not helping this team when they think they’re a now team. Wasting the prime of Gaudreau and Laine.
Fan base - A
Best fan base in hockey. They need a Winter Classic at the Shoe!