Howlin' Hockey
Fansided

Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: Columbus Blue Jackets

By William Grigsby

facebooktwitterreddit

The Arizona Coyotes try to avoid the sting of the Columbus Blue Jackets. We will see what the season holds for them.

Today we look at: Columbus Blue Jackets

2014-15 record: 42-35-5, 5th in the Metropolitan. Didn’t make the playoffs

How the Arizona Coyotes did against the Blue Jackets last season: 2 games, 1-1-0

Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes:  Sat 11/14 at Columbus, Thur 12/17 Home

More From Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes Dylan Strome Making An Impression

More from Coyotes News

Notable additions: LW Brandon Saad, C Gregory Campbell

Notable subtractions: C Artem Anisimov, RW Marko Dano, C Mark Letestu

Coached by: Dan Bylsma (1st season)

Who’s in Net:

Sergei Bobrovsky is still a Vezina winning goaltender, who carried the team on his back at times last season. He didn’t have the “D” in front of him, but still played well.  He will likely be backed up by Curtis McElhinney or one of a group of young players.

Quick thoughts about the Blue Jackets:

  • They lost 508 man games to injury and such last season, and were unofficially declared a M.A.S.H. unit. Third-year defenseman Ryan Murray missed 70 games alone.
  • The Jackets acquired Brandon Saad from Chicago but paid dearly by losing Anisimov and three prospects.  They may have hoped that Saad looked so good because of the Blackhawk offense being so awesome.
  • They should stress a wellness program so their team stays healthier. Losing all those man games is one sure way to not succeed. Just ask us when we lost both Hanzal and Boedker for almost a half a season.

Why the Blue Jackets will win the Stanley Cup

The defense runs this team, and if they can get their young players to gel, it will help them become more of a Cup contender, but right now more like a pretender.

Why the Blue Jackets won’t win the Stanley Cup:

A weak defense will not protect even the best of goalies. Just ask Mike Smith who was left out to dry more often than the team laundry. They are a way’s off, but showed they can make a run late last season.

Three Things We Like About You:

  1. That you are an up and coming team who will probably make the playoffs this season, especially with the addition of Brandon Saad.
  2. That you went out and got Saad, wish we could have been that brave. He just had two goals and two assists in a pre-season game. He will sure help the Blue Jackets this season.
  3. You never gave up last season, and almost qualified for the playoffs. Good job.

Three Things We Don’t Like About You:

  1. That you switched to the Eastern division, and to make the conferences even, they may switch you back. Make up your mind.
  2. Your attendance should be through the roof, since you only have a college team to compete with for fans mighty buck.
  3. What the heck is a Blue Jacket?  Is it a Union soldier? Is it a whacked out Smurf of a hornet?  We’re not even sure you know. We vote of the hornet, but we’re not really sure, and most folks don’t really care.

Prediction:

The huge addition of Saad has got to give this team a lift. If they can stay healthy, they have a shot to go places. If not, they need to find a new and improved health plan.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Domi-Duclair Have Great Chemistry

More from Howlin' Hockey

Home/Coyotes News