Columbus Blue Jackets again

[Pop Zeus]

Kind of fascinated to see how it plays out in Columbus with Babcock.

Consideration 1.
Where is this team in terms of its rebuild.

C: Fantili, Sillinger, Foudy
RD: Jiricek, Cuelemans
LD: Mateychuk, Svozil
LW: Johnson, Del Bell Belluz
RW: Chinakhov, Marchenko, Dumais, Brindley

Gaging rebuild isn't so much about projecting ... But gaging whether or not Babcock should feel like he needs to pump the brakes on the Bluejackets this year.
Here's what I mean.
Babcock went to Toronto in 15-16.
Through 38 games, the Leafs were 16-15-7. On pace for 84 points.
Babcock called off the dogs and Shanahan and Lamouriello traded away assets and let the team slide to 65 points.
The team got Matthews and then increased to 95 points the next year.

In Anaheim he went from 69 to 95 points.
In Detroit he went from 109 to 124 points.

So what does Columbus have for Babcock to work with?

Gaudreau-Jenner-Laine
Johnson-Fantili-Roslovic
Bemstrom-Siillinger-Roslovic
Robinson-Kuraly-Oliver
Texier.

Werensky-Severson
Provorov-Jircek
Gudbranson-Peeke
Boqvist/Beane

Merzlikins-Tarasev

It's going to be interesting as hell to watch Babcock try to taime Laine and Gaudreau. Could be rough on Johnson's development.

But I bet Babcock is gonna live Jenner, Fantili, Sillinger and Kuraly down the middle.
There's enough there on the defense for Babcock to work with.

Columbus finished with 59 points - 2nd worst in the NHL
My guess is the flirt with 90 points this year - even with drama surrounding Gaudreau and Laine.