Columbus Blue Jackets

When the Columbus Blue Jackets' season begins Oct. 4 at home against the Calgary Flames, there's going to be a few new faces in the lineup.

No, Nathan Horton still won't be ready to play until sometime in November, but rookies Ryan Murray and Boone Jenner did enough in camp to earn a spot on the final roster.

Murray making the cut isn't all that unexpected.

The Blue Jackets came into camp with good depth on defense, but being the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft, it was a matter of when and not if he'd crack the lineup. Had he not sustained a shoulder injury right before the lockout ended last season he may have made the team from the start.

Jenner's ability to click with Marian Gaborik and Brandon Dubinsky, however, was a pleasant surprise this preseason.

Goal-scoring was a weakness for Columbus last season, and if a rookie like Jenner can step up and help the three-time, 40-goal scorer Gaborik recapture his scoring touch the way he did in the preseason, it could propel the team to a hot start.

Jenner will continue to skate alongside Dubinsky's left wing with Gaborik on the opposite side.

”Based on what they were able to do and how they were able to play as a group, I would be foolish to try and experiment with (Jenner) now somewhere else, just because they worked so well together," head coach Todd Richards told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch (h/t The Hockey Writers).

Arguably the best player for the Jackets this preseason, Jenner could easily hit 15 goals and 30 to 45 points as a rookie if he manages to maintain the same linemates for the majority of the year.

Murray's preseason wasn't perfect. His first shift in the NHL ended with a turnover he committed materializing into a goal. The same game, however, ended on an overtime goal on a nice feed from R.J. Umberger.

As the preseason progressed, Murray became more comfortable.

Coach Richards told NHL.com reporter Craig Merz that Murray's become more acclimated to the NHL game as time went on in the preseason.

He's had some struggles in games. He's had some good games, too, but just getting comfortable with the speed, I think he's progressed. That's what you want to see from your young players.

Murray's more likely to stay, but should he struggle, there are plenty of other options to fill out the six defensive spots.

He's currently paired with veteran James Wisniewski, who hasn't played anything resembling a full NHL season since 2010-11 when he split time between the New York Islanders and the Montreal Canadiens in a contract year.

The Jackets will carry eight defensemen to start the season, so if Murray falters, he could find himself back with his junior team before the first nine games are through. He's not eligible to play in the AHL this season.

Given the Jackets' organizational depth, something as simple as having a squad at full health could spell the end for Jenner's run with the Jackets in the short term, and a few rookie mistakes could spell the same fate for Murray.

However, should the two stay for an extended period, they will likely continue to play key minutes and in power-play situations as they have through the preseason.

Outdoor hockey—the game in its purest form—could be exactly what ailing small or non-traditional NHL hockey markets need to get a much-needed boost in attendance.

Until this upcoming season, the games have been mostly reserved for successful teams in good hockey markets. However, with the upcoming season expanding to five games and reports that 2014-15 could be the same, small and non-traditional markets should get a fair shake at hosting games too.

NHL source: expect 4 or 5 stadium games in '14-15: Winter Classic + 3 Stadium Series games + possibly a Heritage Classic. @SBJSBD

— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) September 20, 2013

The Columbus Blue Jackets are a franchise on the upswing that could greatly benefit from a game at Ohio Stadium.

2013 was a pretty dismal season for the Blue Jackets in terms of attendance. It was one of the worst years for the franchise, and the team has struggled to put seats in the stands since the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

Season	Average Attendance	Rank	Percentage
2012-2013	14,564	28	80.3
2011-2012	14,660	27	80.8
2010-2011	13,658	27	75.3
2009-2010	15,416	22	85.0
2008-2009	15,543	25	85.7
2007-2008	14,823	28	81.7
2006-2007	16,401	19	90.4
2005-2006	16,796	17	N/A
2003-2004	17,369	15	N/A
2002-2003	17,744	11	N/A
2001-2002	18,136	8	N/A
2000-2001	17,457	12	N/A

Jeff Bell of Columbus Business First reported that the Jackets were playing to 74.6 percent capacity at the beginning of March—dead last in the league at the time.

At the beginning of the shortened 2013 season, the Blue Jackets had the smallest season ticket base in the history of the franchise at 7,000.

A strong finish may be fresh in our minds, but it's understandable that the Jackets had a very rough year fiscally.

The offseason saw the team trade away its franchise player, Rick Nash, to the New York Rangers without receiving any high-profiles players in return. 

Then the NHL All-Star game—scheduled to be hosted in Columbus—was canceled because of the lockout.

To make matters even worse, the team started out poorly, only managing five wins in their first 20 games of the shortened-season.

Great for Business

The second half provided a lot of hope and promise, however. 

The Blue Jackets came a tiebreaker away from their second playoff berth in team history. Sergei Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy, and the offense scored at least three goals in eight of their final 10 games.

Their second-half performance has been great for business. 

Blue Jackets Chief Marketing Officer John Browne told Bell at the end of April that the team had already sold "three times as many season-ticket plans as they had at the time last year" for 2013-14.

By August, the horn at Nationwide Arena rang to celebrate surpassing 8,000 season ticket plans.

With hockey back in the spotlight in Columbus, what could be better than a week of events at Ohio Stadium to promote the team? With ticket sales among the lowest in the NHL last season, Columbus may seem like the last place the NHL would want to have an outdoor game.

To put things in perspective, though, Columbus' population, according to Census.gov, was estimated at 809,798 in 2012. This is drastically more than the population of Pittsburgh and Buffalo—estimated at 259,384 and 306,211 respectively in 2012—and both cities hosted the Winter Classic with great success. 

Buffalo was likely aided by its proximity to Toronto and the team it faced, Pittsburgh. A fair argument, but Columbus shares similar advantages. 

Ohio's capital is within very reasonable driving distance to other big cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Detroit. 

Having the Jackets play a historically successful (and close) team like the Penguins, Red Wings or even the Blackhawks could be a great way to showcase how far the team has come in the last two seasons.

When the team first broke into the league, it was clear the potential be top 10 in the league in average attendance was an attainable goal.

An outdoor game can only quicken the process and make for a more sustainable attendance figure in the future. With stars like Sergei Bobrovsky, Marian Gaborik, Nathan Horton and Jack Johnson, among others, the team is more marketable now than ever before.

The College Factor

The Jackets wouldn't have to be the only draw for fans while the ice was in tact at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes have played in two outdoor hockey games, the most recent against the University of Michigan at Progressive Field in January—the first outdoor hockey game to ever be played in Ohio.

The event put 25,864 fans in the seats. If a college game in Cleveland can bring that many fans, Columbus could blow those numbers out of the water.

"We need to be on a stage like this for our program to grow," Ohio State coach Mark Osiecki told the Associated Press (via ESPN) after the event. 

Potential opponents for Ohio State are aplenty in the area, as Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Miami University and the University of Wisconsin could all help draw a respectable audience as an away team.

It's possible there could even be more than one game, similar to the Hockey City Classic on February 17 in Chicago, which drew a total of 52,051 fans over the course of the two games—Notre Dame vs. Miami (Ohio) University and Michigan vs. Wisconsin.

“I think it's important for college hockey in general,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi told CBS Sports' Chris Peters after the game. “Anytime you can put our sport and our product out on a national stage in venues like today, I think it's important for our sport.”

Peters points out that with more outdoor games, television ratings may begin to come back down to earth. But what it may lose in television ratings, could be made up for in attendance, and more importantly winning over fans.

President of hockey operations John Davidson has been a huge supporter of the idea, for obvious reasons. Davidson even said he'd make a return to color commentary if Columbus lands an outdoor game.

Selecting an Opponent

The Blue Jackets organization needs to pay very close attention to how regional outdoor games like the Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings do on television. 

It's hard to argue that an outdoor game would be anything but a success in Columbus. The make-or-break factor could be the television ratings of games that don't have the same national appeal that games like Red Wings vs. Maple Leafs, Penguins vs. Capitals or Flyers vs. Rangers do. 

The realignment and the NHL's continuing effort to make hockey work in non-traditional hockey markets help the Jackets' chances immensely. There are three feasible options:

The NHL schedules a big-time division rival. There are a flurry of new options here. The Rangers, Capitals, Flyers and Penguins are all in the Metropolitan Division with the Jackets. A team that annually does well in TV ratings, ticket sales and merchandise sales could carry the game nationally.

If they want to go outside of the division, the Red Wings and Blackhawks—not all that far from Columbus—could be good options, too. 

Another route could have the Blue Jackets playing a small-market team in an attempt to please more than one smaller-hockey market team in one game. The unfortunate thing in this scenario is the closest teams that would fit the bill would be Nashville, Carolina or St. Louis.

The away team likely wouldn't bring the same number of road fans with them as the bigger fan bases could.

Buffalo and Pittsburgh have shown the league that smaller cities can host an outdoor game with tons of success, and now, Columbus should be given the opportunity to show the league that a middle-of-the-road team can use an outdoor game to help turn the corner in attendance figures.

 

Attendance figures courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.

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You'll have to forgive the Columbus Blue Jackets for brandishing a more cautious brand of optimism when it comes to goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

Playoff runs and 45-win seasons don't occur during the offseason. They're just manufactured there. Then the players have to go out on the ice and earn their place. For the Jackets to have success in 2014, Bobrovsky will need to duplicate his 2013 Vezina-winning season.

And the definition of success is changing in Columbus.

The presence of John Davidson and Jarmo Kekalainen have assured that just making the playoffs isn't good enough anymore. No, they want to take deep runs and have done an outstanding job of adding proven and gutsy winners to a once carelessly constructed lineup.

Columbus should be able to rest easy. They should be able to feel comfortable counting on Bobrovsky and his tremendous capabilities. If not for the ghosts of "franchise" goaltenders gone by, that is.

The Jackets have been here before. They've sat at the table during press conferences and spoken about how the future of the franchise is in great hands with goaltender X or Y, only to watch X or Y collapse during the regular season.

X was Pascal Leclaire. Y was Steve Mason.

Leclaire was the eighth overall selection in 2001. The first goaltender taken in the draft, the Jackets clearly believed they were landing a franchise-caliber player—something that, in hindsight, not many teams managed to do in '01.

He came into his own during the 2007-08 season while playing inside of coach Ken Hitchcock's goaltender-friendly system. His 2.25 GAA and strong showing that year lead ex-general manager Scott Howson to sign him to a three-year extension.

Howson told the Associated Press (h/t ESPN) that Leclaire "is an important part of our team and we think he will continue to improve and play a significant role in helping us reach our goals."

Injury problems and inconsistency saw Leclaire replaced during his first year as "franchise goaltender." Steve Mason was the man who stepped into the starting role, leading Columbus to the playoffs and winning the Calder Trophy on the back of an outstanding first half of the season.

The Jackets had a new backbone in net and went into the 2009-10 season with high hopes and a desire to build on the franchise's first-ever trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Mason would never again resemble a starting-quality NHL netminder for Columbus. He'd bottom out entirely in 2012, posting a sub-.900 save percentage while allowing an average of nearly three goals a game for the third season in a row.

Needing a stopgap (read: a goaltender who at least would give the Jackets a prayer of winning a 2-1 hockey game), the Jackets called on the Philadelphia Flyers and poached Bobrovsky after the team had signed Ilya Bryzgalov to a (now defunct) big-money, massive-term deal.

The change of scenery revitalized Bobrovsky, who attacked the opportunity to be a starter in the NHL. He spearheaded a surprising run at the playoffs in 2013, and if the season had been a few games longer it's likely that the Jackets would have made the dance.

So now Columbus finds itself in a familiar situation.

After inking the fresh Vezina Trophy recipient to a two-year extension, the team has talked about how their team is in great hands moving forward. They have an outstanding young netminder in place, and all appears well for the 2014 season.

It's easy to see where any hesitation from the fanbase would come from, but the buzz surrounding Bobrovsky is different.

The excitement surrounding Bob is different. The feeling surrounding the team is different. The aura has changed, and so have expectations.

Between the Marian Gaborik trade and the Nathan Horton signing and the re-signing of Bobrovsky, suddenly the Blue Jackets have real positive momentum going forward. The stick in the spokes would usually turn out to be the goaltender.

In seasons gone by it'd be a nearly bankable fact. As sure as the Detroit Red Wings grabbing a great player late in the draft and the New York Rangers signing a massive deal with a free agent, the Jackets would count on the wrong guy in net and end up in the basement for their faith.

Not this time around, though. Not with Bobrovsky. The statistical data is there: 2.00 GAA, .932 save percentage and four shutouts through 38 games played. But it's the empirical data that really shines through.

Bobrovsky's run just feels different. It looks different. His play doesn't feel like a flash in the pan. With Mason and Leclaire before him, there was always this impending feeling of doom surrounding the net in Columbus.

Fans would wince with nearly every shot on goal, even the 60-footers that weren't screened. Even the long bombs from 90 feet out would cause onlookers to glance away for fear of seeing the red light go off.

Bobrovsky is in town for two more years at least, and while it'll take awhile to get used to, there's no reason to fear a drop-off in play similar to what has happened before. The Jackets are a franchise on the rise, and Bobrovsky is the jet backpack responsible for the sudden propulsion.

Free-agent right winger Nathan Horton has agreed to a seven-year contract to become a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The team's official Twitter page broke news of the acquisition on Friday, and TSN's Bob McKenzie outlined the financial details:

UPDATE: Friday, July 5, at 4:47 p.m. ET by Kyle Vassalo

Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe provides details on Horton's shoulder surgery:

---End of Update---

According to the Blue Jackets' website, a press conference will be held at approximately 4 p.m. ET to announce the signing.

As McKenzie points out, the chronic shoulder issue that Horton has dealt with will require surgery this summer, and he likely won't be able to play for his new club until December:

That will probably force Horton out for roughly the first two months of the 2013-14 regular season.

Horton most recently played for the Boston Bruins and was a key contributor in their run to the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, where they ultimately lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games. The 28-year-old registered seven goals and 12 assists in 22 postseason contests.

This marks the second significant loss for the Bruins this offseason, The first, albeit in a trade, was dealing Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars, as reported by Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe.

CBS Sports' Adam Gretz believes Boston had to clear salary-cap space to make way for contracts involving goaltender Tuukka Rask and dynamic center Patrice Bergeron.

As for the Blue Jackets, this is definitely a big splash on the open market. Not only does Horton bring some necessary star power to a historically putrid franchise, but he also has recent experience on the NHL's grandest stage to carry with him.

The Columbus faithful just have to hope that Horton's shoulder holds up well after offseason surgery so he can live up to his contract.

Player: Dillon Heatherington

Drafted By: Columbus Blue Jackets (50th overall)

Position: Defense

Final Central Scout Ranking: No. 31 North American skater

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 196 lbs

DOB: May 9, 1995 (18 years old)

Most Recent Affiliation: WHL, Swift Current Broncos

Background

Last season, Swift Current gave up fewer goals than any other team in the Western Hockey League due in large part to the play of Heatherington and his defensive partner Reece Scarlett, who was drafted in the sixth round, No. 159 overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2011.

Heatherington had four goals and 23 assists in 71 games for Swift Current last season, but more importantly, he had a plus/minus of plus-25. He also played five playoff games and produced three assists during that time.

Full Scouting Report

For Heatherington, the difference between being a first-round pick and a second-round pick is whether or not teams feel that he will learn when to be physical and when to play it safe as well as how soon he will improve his edgework and agility.

Otherwise, teams feel that he is responsible in his own zone, something he focused on when he got big minutes in 2011-12 as a result of injury to teammates, and has more offensive upside than his numbers suggest.

“Heatherington's offensive stats do not jump out,” writes Hockey Prospectus’ Cory Pronman, “but he is a solid prospect due to his very good defensive value and what one scout described as a conservative and steady game.”

On top of that, scouts have observed that Heatherington’s biggest asset as an offensive player is not his ability to lead the rush or slap home a one-timer; rather, it is his ability to make a strong first pass out of the defensive zone—something that does not usually turn up in the box score.

“He makes a strong first pass and is able to use his skating ability to join the rush if he wants,” writes WHL From Above’s Cody Nickolet. “From my viewings, he does appear to be a guy that will have offensive value more as a player that starts the rush with a pass, rather than a guy who leads the rush or unleashes huge shots from the point.”

NHL Player Comparison

Robyn Regehr of the Los Angeles Kings. Both players use their body and size and have strong vision and puck control.

NHL Timetable

It is probably going to take two or three years for Heatherington to get to where he needs to be in order to become an NHL defenseman, so expect to see him in the 2015-16 season at the earliest.

Top-End Potential

While he does not project to be a top-pairing caliber player at the game’s highest level, Heatherington certainly is capable of being a second-pairing player for a contending team. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets have experienced a massive change in their franchise over the past season, quickly going from the NHL's worst team to one fighting for a playoff berth. Much of that is due to goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, and they need him back in order to ensure future success.

In the days surrounding Sunday's NHL draft, the Blue Jackets have been in close talks with Bobrovsky to work out a new deal and both sides are close, according to Brian Stubits of CBS Sports. ESPN's Pierre LeBrun also chimed in on Twitter.

Before that, it wasn't looking so certain as Bobrovsky was being shopped around before the sides started working things out, per Darren Dreger of TSN. 

The Bobrovsky saga has been one of the most interesting offseason storylines to follow, as the story seems to change with every development. He was even rumored to be on the verge of heading back to the KHL, per Stubits last week. 

Bobrovsky has come into his own as a NHL goaltender, emerging as one of the league's top goalies in the lockout-shortened season. 

The 24-year-old's breakout 2012-13 season ended in winning the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable goaltender. He went 21-11-6 on the season with a .932 save percentage.

What's more, the Russian goalie averaged giving up just 2.00 goals per game last season. That was good for fifth in the league.

To see just how valuable Bobrovsky is to this team, take a look at the Blue Jackets' goals against average for the past four seasons compared to Bobrovsky's in 2012-13.

If that doesn't prove his value, I don't know what would.

The Blue Jackets have already begun putting together a solid set of skaters, but what really holds a team together while it emerges is a top-notch goalie. It's an absolute must to have a premier goal-stopper in order to make playoff runs.

Columbus is lucky enough to be able to say that it has just that, but it'll take a big payday in order to keep him around.

Sure, Bobrovsky had his struggles while a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, but he was also just coming into his own at the time. Now, he's 24 years old and can be relied on to produce on a year-by-year basis. 

Vezina Trophies don't just come around for nothing. Bobrovsky's 2012-13 season proved he's a future star at the position, and the Blue Jackets could ill-afford to lose him. 

Player: Chris Bigras

Drafted By: Columbus Blue Jackets (32nd overall)

Position: Defense

Final Central Scouting Ranking: No. 14 North American skater

Height/Weight: 6'0'', 186 lbs

DOB: February 22, 1995 (18 years old)

Most Recent Affiliation: OHL, Owen Sound Attack

Background

Chris Bigras is a solid, well-rounded defenseman that plays a complete two-way game. Bigras is an excellent shutdown defender and has shown that he can contribute offensively. In 2012-13, Bigras led the Owen Sound Attack in scoring by a defenseman with 38 points.

Full Scouting Report

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OSMm4DDszE

Bigras is very solid in his own zone. He is great at executing defensive-zone coverage and his positioning is very solid. He likes to use his stick to disrupt plays from time to time and he makes a hit when he can.

Bigras is also a very good skater who will join the offensive rush from time to time. His outlet passes are also very strong, and he can create offense occasionally. One downside of Bigras is that he is currently on the small side, but he has time to bulk up to become an intimidating all-around defender.

Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus is particularly high on Bigras, and he thinks he will have success at the NHL level.

Bigras is an intelligent, do-it-all type of defenseman. He defends at a high level, and although he has some budding offensive potential, he is not yet a spectacular or flashy player. He is very advanced in terms of his defensive reads and positioning, and he projects as a player that can play tougher defensive minutes. He is a solid skater, making a lot of stops in various ways, and he is a very good stickchecker. Bigras is not an aggressive offensive player, but he will show flashes of top puck moving ability, and he tends to make outlet passes from his end well.

NHL Player Comparison

Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks. Bigras’ frame, playing style and skill set is very solid for an 18-year-old prospect.

NHL Timetable

Defensemen take longer to mature than forwards do, so expect Bigras to make his debut at the NHL level by the start of the 2015-16 season.

Top-End Potential

Bigras does a lot of different things right that make him a promising prospect. He projects to be a dependable top-four defender that can fill many roles. Defensive play is his strong suit, but he has budding offensive talent, which makes him a multidimensional prospect.

Player: Kerby Rychel

Drafted By: Columbus Blue Jackets (19th overall)

Position: Left Wing

Final Central Scouting Ranking: No. 17 North American skater

Height/Weight: 6'1'', 205 lbs

DOB: October 7, 1994 (18 years old)

Most Recent Affiliation: OHL, Windsor Spitfires

Background

Kerby Rychel played for his father, Warren, who is the general manager and co-owner of the Windsor Spitfires. Because he was born late in the year (October), he has played in the OHL for the past three seasons.

Warren was an enforcer during his NHL career, but Kerby has better hands and will provide more offensive production than his father.

Over the last two seasons, Rychel has scored 81 goals with consistent production (41 in 2011-12, 40 in 2012-13) each year. His on-ice vision and passing improved in 2012-13 as his assist total increased from 33 to 47.

He also accumulated 94 penalty minutes last season and is not afraid to drop the gloves to defend his teammates.

Full Scouting Report

Kerby Rychel has good size at 6'1", 205 pounds, and assuming he adds some more bulk as he gets a little more mature, he projects as a power forward in the NHL.

Chris Edwards of Central Scouting sees a lot of potential in Rychel. "He's the type of guy who, when competing really hard, is very effective," Edwards said. "When he's banging around and separating guys from the puck, that's when he's really on his game. He has a good shot and the ability to pass the puck in traffic."

Trent Klatt of the Islanders' scouting department says, "Kerby Rychel is a fierce competitor every night and is not at all afraid to play the game in the dirty areas.  He’s more of a goal scorer than a playmaker, and he’s also not afraid to drop the mitts when necessary. Rychel is a team player with some intangibles many others don’t possess."

Like many power forwards, however, it may take a little bit longer for Rychel to reach his potential because the position requires physical maturity.

NHL Player Comparison

Chris Kunitz of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Actually, Rychel probably has a little more offensive potential than Kunitz, but he'll be a strong, complimentary scorer who will play a physical game and will stand up for his teammates when asked to.

NHL Timetable

Power forwards usually need a little extra time for their bodies to mature and then for their style of play to catch up to their physical ability. Rychel needs at least one season in the AHL and then will probably play a fourth-line role in his first NHL season. Expect him to reach the NHL on a full-time basis by the 2014-15 season but not be a major contributor at the NHL level for another year or two.

Top-End Potential

If Rychel's hands continue to develop, his top-end potential would be a power forward on the top line who could score 30-35 goals in a season. More likely is a second- or third-line power forward who will score 25 goals or so and be a physical force in both ends of the ice. If his work ethic continues to be one of his biggest assets, Rychel should be a very popular player with the fans of his team.