Five Bold Predictions for the 2022-23 CBJ Season
By Curtis Deem
Major changes are made to the core of this team, this season.
We have been witness to one of the boldest summers in Blue Jacket history this year, and I think that continues throughout the season.
How the season shakes out, likely signals what those changes may be. If the team plays well early and keeps pace with the rest of the division, I think those changes may simply be moving on from a veteran player like Gustav Nyquist, to free up opportunity for the younger guys on the team. Whether that happens at the deadline, or next offseason, would be the only question.
If the team struggles to gel or some of the young guys don’t step up as quickly as hoped, I think we could even see veteran players added to the roster, to help the team stem the tide. The last thing you want, are the young players being OK with settling for losing.
Most likely, I think Jarmo goes big game hunting. This team is stacked with young players and futures, really more than the roster will be able to handle if they all pan out. As mentioned in the last page, what they lack are a top-six center, and depth/experience on defense. We’ve seen the Jakub Chychrun rumors, and I think that’s the kind of player he might look to add at the expense of some of the youth in the system.
If a young center with future term comes available, we could see a major, foundational shake-up that would alter the course of this team for many years. Thinking along the lines of someone who would fit into this group now, and for the next several seasons. This is the last season of evaluation; after this it’s time for this team to get back to contention. This would be one way to do that.
One thing we should all appreciate as we watch this exciting group this fall, is that management here will no longer settle for being second or third tier. This franchise is now committed to winning, and have shown a willingness to do whatever it takes to get there. In my opinion, the future has never been brighter, and I don’t recall ever being as excited to see what this team can do, as I am this fall. Read: Embrace the Hate