Columbus hasn't been overly active this summer, but they have made a few nice additions to an already talented young core.
Jarmo Kekalainen traded a possession anchor, who the team would have bought out if they couldn't move, in R.J. Umberger for a better possession player and point producer in Scott Hartnell.
They acquired depth forward Jerry D'Amigo and signed Brian Gibbons to add some more depth, speed and versatility in the lineup.
They also are getting a healthy Nathan Horton back this season. With their young core of Ryan Johansen, who should be locked up soon, Boone Jenner and Ryan Murray, among others, expected to continue to improve, there's certainly reason to be optimistic about Columbus this year and moving forward.
It's probably a little early for predictions, but we know what most teams will look like come October, so I did some anyways.
In my early Metro Division prediction post (subject to change come September/October) I penciled the Blue Jackets finishing 2nd place behind only Pittsburgh. Some felt that was a little overboard, but I'm a big believer in what Kekalainen is putting together.
So, with that, I leave you this question: where will the Blue Jackets finish in the Metro this year?
Jackets posts
Devils posts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com