Columbus Blue Jackets: 2018-2019 Important Year for Center Depth
Two of the Columbus Blue Jackets top three centers are counting on bounce back seasons.
Alexander Wennberg and Brandon Dubinsky are key to the success of the Columbus Blue Jackets this upcoming season, and both need to have a better season than they did last year. Wennberg put up his lowest point total since his rookie year last year with a total of 35 points, only eight of which were goals.
His biggest downside is the most obvious on the team, he refuses to shoot to puck a majority of the time. If he’s able to fix this glaring weak point, then he’ll be one of the best all around players on the Blue Jackets.
Brandon Dubinsky’s issue on the other hand is much more difficult to assess. Last season his speed, defense, physicality, scoring and every part of his game was down from where it used to be.
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It could simply be age catching up with him, but at the same time it’s hard to believe that a player like Dubinsky who prides himself on his two way game would fall apart so quickly.
Dubinsky is only one year away from a 41 point season in 80 games, however the drop off was more than significant. Last season in 62 games, the veteran forward only was able to muster up a total of 16 points.
If neither one of these two have a bounce back season, mixed with all the upcoming off-ice drama that comes with star players remaining unsigned then the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be in a bad position.
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If one bounces back, then the Blue Jackets are in a slightly better off position however if the team is going to reach its full potential then they need them both at their best. There’s a lot of money tied up in these two, and they need to make sure it doesn’t go to waste.