Meanwhile over in Columbus... dark horse in 15-16?

[dammage79]

I wouldn't call CLB a dark horse at all. They're 250 (half of what they lost last year) gained man games away from winning their division.

If they can get 65-70 games out of Ryan Murray and a full season out of Bob, they're set.
They went on an absolute tear in the last half of last season once the infirmary cleared out. No reason to think that if the team stays healthy on average, they'll be one of the top teams in the east.

[HighLifeMan]

Johnson - Murray
Tyutin - Savard
Connauton - Prout
Goloubef

That is not a d-core that can compete for the cup. It's really that simple.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

personally, I think Buffalo has made some major strides this summer...

That they have... sadly for them major strides doesn't take them from worst team in the NHL to darkhorse contender (even in the East).

Columbas could be though.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I don't like Columbus' blueline and I feel like they made a mistake trading away Dano.

You gotta give quality to get quality and when your adding a guy like Brandon Saad giving up Dano seems like a very fair and reasonable price to pay. Anisimov you pretty much already know what he is going to be.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Sorry, Brandon Saad was the difference between a non-playoff team and a cup?

Guess the Hawks had better start the re-build then.

[bax]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Sorry, Brandon Saad was the difference between a non-playoff team and a cup?

Guess the Hawks had better start the re-build then.

I don't think anyone in this thread thinks they are going to win the cup, but did you even read any of the other comments or watch the Blue Jackets last year?

[GreenLantern2814]

The key for Columbus is the health of Ryan Murray. That kid is a sublime defenseman and everything the Jackets hope to accomplish can only happen if he takes the proper strides.

[Regulator75]

15-16 years?

[The Yen Man]

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the Blue Jackets. Seems to be a healthy market, and pretty passionate fans. Doug MacLean really messed up that franchise from the get go, so hopefully they've righted the ship. Was so hoping they'd get MacDavid, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

[Lil Pedro]

Think they could do some damage next year and get in. Johanssen is a great player and if they can stay healthy they should be good. Starting to think Murray is a bust though, he's made of glass

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the Blue Jackets. Seems to be a healthy market, and pretty passionate fans. Doug MacLean really messed up that franchise from the get go, so hopefully they've righted the ship. Was so hoping they'd get MacDavid, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Yes, Howson had nothing to do with it...

[coop3422]

Originally Posted by codynw

My guess for the Eastern Conference playoffs looks something like this.

Metro
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
Washington

Atlantic
Tampa Bay
Montreal
Detroit

Wild Card
Columbus
Philly

I think Pittsburgh and Ottawa will be on the outside this time, Boston and Florida both come close but miss again. And the rest of the East is still bad.

I could see that. Although as a Flyers fan, I do think you have them in the correct spot and just squeaking in if they do make it. Their prospect pool is the best I've ever seen it, but the blueline is such a mess I'm not sure they'll even have space for a rookie to start.

Columbus was called a dark horse last year as other have already said, just got decimated by injury. Bob is a great goalie, but had a lot of issues staying healthy.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

Johnson - Murray
Tyutin - Savard
Connauton - Prout
Goloubef

That is not a d-core that can compete for the cup. It's really that simple.

Agreed.

I think Columbus is a solid team but they are aren't cup contenders barring a break out on the back end.

Dallas and Colorado are in similar shape.