#2 reason the Blue Jackets don’t contend: the locker room is in shambles.
Don’t take that as a statement, it’s more of a question. After the hiring (and subsequent resignation) of Mike Babcock, the entire hockey world started asking about a possible division in the Columbus Blue Jacket locker room. A lot of the players have spoken out in the opposite fashion, saying it’s brought them closer together. We hope that’s the case.
Patrik Laine believes the Blue Jackets are a tighter and more supportive group right now, and they're excited to get training camp underway.#CBJ | #CountdownToFaceOff | @DMaetzMedia pic.twitter.com/mQucTkSoho
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) September 18, 2023
But if it’s not, this season is doomed before the puck even drops. As soon as the news broke about Babcock, veteran players including captain Boone Jenner, star forward Johnny Gaudreau, and tough guy Mathieu Olivier; all came to defense of the photo sharing practice used by Babcock to get to know them.
The young players had an entirely different experience, however. They were not comfortable with what happened. Our hope is that both sides were able to come to some sort of middle ground and work through their differences. There have been rumblings that some of the team meetings were pretty heated, so it’s something to be aware of as the season approaches. Few things will doom a team quite like locker room disfunction.
#3 reason the Blue Jackets don’t contend: the goaltending stinks.
One of the other things that will doom a team, regardless their talent? Awful goaltending. The Jackets had some of the worst goaltending in the NHL last season from top to bottom, really except for a solid stretch of play from since-traded Joonas Korpisalo. They’re taking a big risk by running it back with Elvis Merzlikins and oft-injured youngster Daniil Tarasov.
Will their faith in the two pay off? Hard to say at the moment, but early indications are somewhat concerning. Elvis struggled to find the puck on two of his three goals against in his preseason debut – and mishandled it on the third Pittsburgh goal. I’m willing to attribute that to rust, but it is something to keep an eye on.
Worse; Tarasov hasn’t even practiced with the team this fall, finding himself rehabbing through yet another injury. If either one of these guys can’t take the reins and take the starting job for this team this season, they’re in big trouble. The roster is good, but it’s not good enough to overcome poor goaltending. I have a feeling that this will be a question mark with this team all season, unless we’re proven wrong.