I still think Columbus is a bubble-team right now. I think they are underrated when it comes to forwards, but there is no overlooking that defence, and the questionable goaltending behind the defence. Can they make the playoffs? Sure, but it is the defence and goaltending that has to get it together. I think Columbus will score enough, I just don't think they will be able to defend well enough, unless their forwards all commit to playing defence (hi Laine!).
Is Columbus a 'destination' now with Gaudreau there? I do think that Gaudreau has moved the proverbial needle so to speak, but really barely. Nobody is really lining up to have a chance to play with McDavid in another unattractive market. Nobody was really lining up here to play with Gaudreau when he was here. Nobody was lining up in Columbus to play with Nash when he was a superstar.
Columbus is one of those markets that reclamation projects choose just because it is better than a few alternatives. They can be a destination if they win (I don't think they will win enough to make themselves a destination). If they win 2 or 3 cups in the next 3 or 4 years (cough yeah right! cough), then they will get undoubtedly be a much more attractive place to play. They won't attract everyone - not everyone is willing to chase the cup and prioritize other things after all - but they will get more players wanting to play there.
I still don't see Columbus as a destination. I have always thought that Gaudreau was a 'top 5 skill player' in the league for a number of years, but unless your name was Gretzky or Lemieux, nobody is going to want to relocate to an otherwise unattractive destination to play with you (just ask McDavid).
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