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Five Things to Look Forward to from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018-2019

By Steven Kenworthy

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 19: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates with teammate after scoring a goal during game 4 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 19, 2018. The Capitals won 4-1 and tied the series 2-2. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 19: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates with teammate after scoring a goal during game 4 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 19, 2018. The Capitals won 4-1 and tied the series 2-2. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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1. Pierre-Luc Dubois in His Second Season

Columbus Blue Jackets
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 17: Pierre-Luc Dubois #18 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pierre-Luc Dubois /

It took the rookie center more than a few weeks to find his way to the top line in late 2017. Dubois started the season as a third line winger and ended up playing between Cam Atkinson and Artemi Panarin, rolling hot into the 2018 playoffs.

If that’s not impressive enough, PLD stealthily broke the Columbus Blue Jackets rookie points record by posting 48 (20G, 28A) in just under 17 minutes per game. To show coach John Tortorella’s trust in the young center, his time on ice rocketed to almost 24 minutes per game in the playoff series versus the Washington Capitals.

Related Story. CBJ: How Good Can PLD Be in Year Two?. light

No matter what happens with Panarin, a full year on the top line with a season under his belt should help propel Dubois to the next level. The former third overall pick has a ceiling somewhere. The problem is that no one has a clue how high it goes. Just don’t be surprised when he’s a (hockey) household name in just a few months.

PLD could be the first long-term, top talent center the Columbus Blue Jackets have ached for since Ryan Johansen‘s short stint before the Seth Jones trade. This year’s performance could cement that next-tier status. The best part of it all might be that Dubois just turned 20 years old 2 months ago. It goes without saying that the future for #18 is dangerously bright.

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