Columbus Blue Jackets: What to Expect from Sergei Bobrovsky in 2017-18
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had a big summer. Not only did he get some new hardware, but he also upped his social media game.
That’s right, Sergei Bobrovsky is now on Twitter and he is a must follow for Columbus Blue Jackets fans. He has posted a couple of videos of his offseason workouts which has only grown the hope that he continues his greatness into 2017-18.
https://twitter.com/SergeiBobrovsky/status/894980201284640768
When thinking of the season ahead for Bobrovsky, we have to consider his history in the NHL. Yes, he does have two Vezina Trophies, but he also hasn’t always been consistent and healthy.
Essentially, there are two ways to approach next season regarding Bobrovsky:
The pessimistic side
The worst case scenario for Sergei Bobrovsky next season is that he plays like he did in the playoffs for most of the year. It may be unlikely, but Sergei just didn’t look confident in the playoffs at all.
If he has a subpar start, the concerns will be legit.
Injuries are also a concern with Bobrovsky. Re-injuring his groin would be the opposite of ideal. An injury to Bobrovsky probably wouldn’t allow the team to be serious contenders this year.
As the Metropolitan Division is improving, a slow start or an injury could dig a hole that cannot be fixed for the rest of the season.
If Bobrovsky’s confidence isn’t where it should be, it’ll be a long season for the Columbus Blue Jackets. I wouldn’t necessarily expect him to have a bad season, but his past definitely gives us something to think about heading into the season.
The optimistic side
At his best, Sergei Bobrovsky is one of the best goalies in the NHL. The added playoff experience from last year will be a big boost, if he was able to spin the tough outcomes into positive lessons.
Not to mention, he has the best group of skaters in front of him than ever before and a solid backup. He won’t have to play perfectly every night which is a load off his back. Joonas Korpisalo‘s ability to be a good second option gives Bob a nice opportunity to stay fresh, which will be a plus.
The groin problems haven’t been an issue after hiring a specialist last year, meaning the injury issues will remain in the past.
Winning the Vezina Trophy again this summer is exactly what Bob needed to motivate him after an early playoff exit. He knows how good he can be which will allow him to finally establish his place as the top goaltender in the league.
Next: Lucas Sedlak vs. Jordan Schroeder
We all know how vital Sergei Bobrovsky is to the success of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Time will tell if this is the year he will step up in the playoffs. For now, all we can do is hope that he plays like the goalie he is capable of being.