Offseason Report: Columbus Blue Jackets

Joe Yerdon

Aug 13, 2012, 11:24 AM EDT

6 Comments

Jack Johnson, RJ Umberger, James Wisniewski

AP

From July 16-Aug 16, we’ll be profiling all 30 NHL teams by recapping what they did this offseason and previewing their upcoming campaigns.

2011-12 season

29-46-7, 65 points. 15th in Western Conference, fifth in Central Division. Worst team in NHL.

Additions

Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, Nick Foligno, Adrian Aucoin, Sergei Bobrovsky

Departures

Rick Nash, Aaron Johnson, Darryl Boyce, Brett Lebda, Radek Martinek

2012 Draft

First round, second overall — Ryan Murray (D – Everett – WHL)

Looking back

After the season started with so much hope and even some folks thinking a summer filled with big moves would lead to the playoffs, things crashed and burned as bad as they ever could have.

The trade for Jeff Carter flamed out and he was dealt to L.A. for Jack Johnson and Carter went on to win the Stanley Cup. Figures, right? James Wisniewski dealt with injuries and suspensions and Rick Nash got tired of carrying the team and managed to get himself traded, finally, this summer.

Things were so typically Blue Jackets that even in spite of having the worst record in the league they still didn’t land the top overall pick in the draft. They’re practically the Eeyore of the NHL.

Looking forward

Now that they’ve moved on from having Nash be the leader of the team, they’ll look to be more of a team-oriented organization. Anisimov gives them a solid centerman while Dubinsky is a gutsy player. Nick Foligno should get plenty of time to grind things out with R.J. Umberger and company.