The Blue Jackets set a new franchise best last season by scoring 273 goals. They were able to achieve this feat because some of their young players started emerging as star producers. This year, they'll enter the campaign with more hope; and there's a chance that some of these young stars can start knocking off long standing individual records.
As you're probably well aware, the entire CBJ record book is written by the great #61, Rick Nash. He owns basically every meaningful offensive record, particularly from a career standpoint. Though, his long-standing single season points record has now been surpassed three times over: twice by Artemi Panarin (82 points, 2017-18; 87 points, 2018-19), and last season by Zach Werenski (82 points).
Rick still holds the single season goal record (41, 2003-04), though he's tied with Cam Atkinson, who achieved that same feat in 2018-19. The assists record is held by two players with 59 helpers: Panarin in 2019 and Werenski last season. That one is going to be tough to beat, but could this be the year that some of the biggest marks in franchise history fall? I have a hunch that a few of them will.
Kirill Marchenko will set the franchise scoring record this season.
You heard it here first. Kirill thrived in his first season under Dean Evason, with veteran center Sean Monahan and fellow Russian Dmitri Voronkov helping him open up some untapped potential. He scored 31 goals and 74 points in 79 games, and if not for injuries to his linemates - and having to play with a broken jaw for two months - I think he might have broken 80 points last season.
Knowing this player and his attitude that drives him to want to be the best; I can only imagine that Kirill has spent his entire summer doing everything he can to improve. An improved, motivated Marchy is going to be lethal this season. I think he's capable of breaking Panarin's record of 87 points, and all that it's going to take is a more potent CBJ power-play to get him there.
Quietly, Marchy finished 21st in the NHL with 55 even strength points last season. If the Blue Jackets can click around league average (or, hopefully better) with the extra man, he's already well on his way to the points record. He's the man who drives the offense for this team, after all. But he's not the only one, and I think it's possible that someone else can break a franchise record this year.
Adam Fantilli will set new team records for goals and hat-tricks this season.
Just when it looked like Marchenko was running away with every meaningful offensive category amongst forwards, Adam Fantilli made a red-hot ascent to tie him with 31 tucks last year. He reached that mark on the back of a 24 goal in 44 game stretch after the New Year.
Extrapolate that out over a full 82-game schedule, and "Mo" would have had 45 goals last season. Note: that's four more than any other CBJ player in a single season. It took him a little while to find his game, but once he did, he was the dominant scorer we hoped he would become. He used his speed and quick release to surprise opposition goaltenders, tormenting them on a nightly basis.
Fantilli also tied a franchise record with two hat-tricks (big whoop, I know). I believe he'll set new franchise bests this season, with 42+ goals and, inevitably, three or more hatties. Like Marchenko, he's going to see a lot of the game flowing through his stick. And, he also has the ability to be a dynamic offensive threat in this league, despite his young age.
If both of these players can produce to these levels, we are in for a real treat this season. The Blue Jackets' playoff hopes will be in good shape if Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko are driving offense on separate lines.