Will Team Chemistry Be An Issue Next Season?

With next season being the first full season that several players will be a part of the Blue Jackets roster, should we be concerned about the teams chemistry?

February 11, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center

(17) celebrates after scoring his first goal of the season in a game against the San Jose Sharks at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

A shortened 48 game season can say a lot about a team, but a full schedule of 82 games will bring even more tests, especially to a newly formed roster. Some players played together all of last season, including; Nick Foligno, Brandon Dubinsky, and Artem Anisimov. Other players joined late in the season; Blake Comeau, and Marian Gaborik. One was added this offseason; Nathan Horton. Finally, two players could be joining the roster for the first time at any point in the season; Ryan Murray and Boone Jenner. Add into that equation that Horton won’t be joining the team until shortly after the start of the season.

Will all these new “bricks” in the wall fit together this upcoming season? One player who I think could have been the cement to hold it all together was Vinny Prospal. The aging veteran could have been just the guy to make sure the team became a solid “wall”. With the team halfway through the offseason and still without a clear leader, I ask again, is the teams chemistry something to be worried about?

Jun 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Nathan Horton (18) before game two of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

I think both sides could be argued. So that is exactly what I will do.

Yes, it should worry you. Sometimes just adding one extra component could disrupt the whole recipe…yes there is also chemistry in cooking! With the possibility of adding three new faces to the roster, the whole flow of the team could be interrupted. Especially when one of them, Horton, has never shared the ice with the team, other than as an opponent. Plus the other two players, Jenner and Murray, would be fresh to the NHL experience.

No, team chemistry should not be an issue for next season and even years to come. The front office has now put together a solid core group that should bring numerous successful years to the city of Columbus. One aspect to remember is that these players are professionals, they know that becoming acquainted with a new team is part of the business when being traded or signed during the offseason. There should be nothing to worry about concerning team chemistry and the new “bricks” added to the “wall”.

So which side are you on? Are you concerned about team chemistry next year? Let us know below in the comments, or Twitter, or even Facebook.