2008/09 Nashville Predators Season Preview
2008/09 Columbus Blue Jackets Season Preview
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
I really like what GM Scott Howson has done with this team. However, I’m unsure of just how well this team will gel together so that’s why I have them ranked this low. Their forward group is solid with Rick Nash, R.J. Umberger, Kristian Huselius, Derick Brassard, Fredrik Modin, Raffi Torres and Michael Peca. I’m also looking for a good year from rookie Jakub Voracek who’s looked solid in preseason.
Their defence is the weakest part of this team. They have some simple minded d-men like Christian Backman, Mike Commodore and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and I’m a fan of both Fedor Tyutin and Kris Russell. The big question is if Rostislav Klesla can finally make the jump and become a true #1 defenceman in the NHL.
They’re rock solid between the pipes with Pascal Leclaire and Fredrik Norrena.
At the end of the day it’ll come down to defence and I don’t have enough confidence in theirs to say that they’ll be playing hockey come spring.
