Bold prediction #1: The Blue Jackets will have three different players score 30 or more goals this season.
Jumping right into this one head first, with a really bold prediction. The Blue Jackets haven't had a 30 goal scorer since Cam Atkinson tied a team record with 41 tallies back in 2018-19.
I guess you can say that we're due for one, or two, or maybe even three?
They certainly have plenty of shooting options this year, even after dealing away Patrik Laine. It feels like this team should have had at least one guy clear this total over the last few years - Laine in particular would have been a solid bet - but, they have been held back by injuries and a power-play that has been very lacking.
One big focus for the newly assembled coaching staff will be improving the power-play. New assistant coach Mike Haviland ran the PP unit for the Cleveland Monsters pretty effectively, and he'll likely be tasked with making things work here.
If they can score at even a league-average pace, this team will have more goal scoring potential overall. With the talented shooters and net-front guys accumulated here, 30 goals should be attainable for several of them.
I'll go one step further. The three who will get there, and my predicted totals: Sean Monahan (31), Adam Fantilli (dare I say 40+?), and Kirill Marchenko (35).
Our next bold prediction is also pretty bold...