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Union and Blue Roundtable: Columbus Blue Jackets Strength and Weaknesses

By Lansing Murphy

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 5: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against Josh Anderson #77 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period on April 5, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 5: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against Josh Anderson #77 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period on April 5, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Columbus Blue Jackets’ Murphy’s Law Season?

Columbus Blue Jackets
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Duclair (91) of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on in the third period of a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Buffalo Sabres on September 17, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The Sabres won 4-1. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What about this Jackets team should scare opposing teams the most?

LM: This guy right above this sentence. Anthony Duclair has looked incredible in the preseason and is primed for a breakout season. Duclair is a fourth liner that will score 20 goals this year. No other team can match that type of scoring punch up and down the lineup.

The depth on the backend is fantastic as well. Markus Nutivaara is one of the most underrated players in the league. David Savard, Ryan Murray and Dean Kukan are all above average defenseman when healthy. O yea, and all of those guys play behind the second best pair in hockey.

What is the biggest weakness of this Jackets team?

Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets /

Columbus Blue Jackets

LM: The biggest weakness this team has is not an on-ice issue. It’s the dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over this franchise.

The contract situations of both Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky will be an issue this year. Don’t kid yourself and say “These guys are professionals, they’ll tune it out”. They are also human beings. It’s impossible to tune out that two of your teammates don’t want to play with you after this season.

Who will lead this team in scoring this year? 

LM: I bet ill be the only person to not say Artemi Panarin. I’ve already said that Cam Atkinson could break the 40 goal mark this season and I think he leads the team in points as well.

Atkinson had an incredible second half of the year in 2018 and a great World Championships. He has looked great in the preseason and he will end up being a leader on this team after the Jackets deal away Artemi Panarin. Wait, what?

What is your bold prediction for this season?

LM: The Jackets will trade Artemi Panarin and still win a playoff series. Jarmo Kekalainen will have to deal Panarin before the trade deadline. He isn’t going to resign so it’s time to move on and get some pieces for the Bread Man.

This will leave an apparent scoring gap that the team can fill with depth scoring and Atkinson elevating his game to an elite level. The team will rally around the league doubting the team can’t do anything without Panarin and they will play with a fire we haven’t seen in Columbus.

The team will win a playoff series for the first time in franchise history fueled by the disrespect they will get from the hockey world. And then be bounced out of the playoffs in the second round in five games.

Also, the Cleveland Monsters will win the Calder Cup.

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