Blue Jackets preparing ‘very purposefully’ with belief in playoff return | NHL.com
July 25, 2025
Blue Jackets preparing ‘very purposefully’ with belief in playoff return | NHL.com
7 comments
X factor is going to be defense and goaltending. Zach bucked his trend of durability last year, hopefully that will continue because should we lose him for any significant time, this defense becomes really exposed. I think we’ll be fine on offense
When our entire defense was back together, we played really well. Goaltending is the X factor.
I’m looking forward to this season. If the Jackets make the playoffs I won’t expect much, but I think simply getting there with this group is important.
I think that first time playoff experience for Marchenko, Sillinger, KJ, Voronkov, Mateychuk, etc will be really valuable. I can really see KJ being an absolute monster in the playoffs.
Jackson Smith made a comment on a podcast about meeting Elvis when he was at development camp because he was there working with the goalie coaches.
I’m not sure I recall the last time he’s been this invested. Probably knows he actually has a threat of losing his spot this time.
If the young guys can take another step forward and we can stay healthy I don’t see any reason why we don’t challenge for playoffs
Offense should be fine ….
But I really think we fumbled this off-season given the resources we had.
$41 million in cap space, two first round picks to trade, Chinahkov as a trade piece.
Really didn’t improve on defense or at goalie.
We’re banking a lot on Jet and everyone else just “being better” ….
Not trying to sound like a negative Nancy here ….
I have hope and optimism for this team and love what DW and DE are doing.
7 comments
X factor is going to be defense and goaltending. Zach bucked his trend of durability last year, hopefully that will continue because should we lose him for any significant time, this defense becomes really exposed. I think we’ll be fine on offense
When our entire defense was back together, we played really well. Goaltending is the X factor.
I’m looking forward to this season. If the Jackets make the playoffs I won’t expect much, but I think simply getting there with this group is important.
I think that first time playoff experience for Marchenko, Sillinger, KJ, Voronkov, Mateychuk, etc will be really valuable. I can really see KJ being an absolute monster in the playoffs.
Jackson Smith made a comment on a podcast about meeting Elvis when he was at development camp because he was there working with the goalie coaches.
I’m not sure I recall the last time he’s been this invested. Probably knows he actually has a threat of losing his spot this time.
If the young guys can take another step forward and we can stay healthy I don’t see any reason why we don’t challenge for playoffs
Offense should be fine ….
But I really think we fumbled this off-season given the resources we had.
$41 million in cap space, two first round picks to trade, Chinahkov as a trade piece.
Really didn’t improve on defense or at goalie.
We’re banking a lot on Jet and everyone else just “being better” ….
Not trying to sound like a negative Nancy here ….
I have hope and optimism for this team and love what DW and DE are doing.
I’m also semi-guarding my heart a little too ….