Blue Jackets aim to build on strong 2024-25 finish
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A new NHL season is here and, believe it or not, there's a sense of optimism around our long-struggling franchise.
The big picture: Blue Jackets fans (and Ohio sports fans in general) may bristle at the notion, but a promising young roster and a well-regarded coach offer reason for good vibes ahead of Thursday's opener in Nashville.
Flashback: That optimism will come from the way the team grew into the 2024-25 season.
- After a bad start, one of the youngest teams in the league put together a 14-4-2 stretch to get back into playoff contention. Columbus eventually missed out by just two points.
- The 23-point improvement over the 2023-24 season was the NHL's best.
Context: Last season was also the team's first after the death of Johnny Gaudreau, with his teammates returning to action just six weeks later.
Between the blue lines: Head coach Dean Evason has now had a full season and a second offseason to implement his system and develop the young roster.
- The group added just three new players for this season: forwards Charlie Coyle, Miles Wood and Isac Lundeström.
The stars: Defenseman Zach Werenski remains the team's talisman, and he's extremely motivated to play well enough to make the 2026 Winter Olympic team.
- Winger Kirill Marchenko and 20-year-old center Adam Fantilli broke out last season with a team-leading 31 goals each.
The intrigue: Goalie Elvis Merzlikins was inconsistent and benched multiple times last season.
- This year, he'll compete with 24-year-old Jet Greaves, who allowed just four goals over five straight wins to end the season.
In the arena: Nationwide is debuting a variety of new concessions this season.
- We're intrigued by the Mediterranean nachos, a CBJ (chicken, bacon and jalapenos) pizza, dessert nachos and the "Sloppy 'No'" — a vegan Korean sloppy joe with Asian slaw and onions.
👀 What we're watching: The Jackets needed a herculean effort in the second half of last season to make a playoff push.
- With a year for their young core to gel, can they start better this season and stay in contention?
📆 What's next: Puck drops on the Columbus season at 8pm Thursday in Nashville.
- The first home game is Oct. 13 against the New Jersey Devils.