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Columbus Blue Jackets 2015-16 NHL Preview

By Josh Hill

Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Team MVP

Brandon Dubinsky – C/LW

There is a slew of young talent on the Blue Jackets roster, but the could be a breakout year for Brandon Dubinsky as far as becoming the team leader in Columbus. He has a pair of fantastic running mates in captain Nick Foligno and fellow Assistant Captain Jack Johnson — together forming a three headed American hockey monster that could win some fans over to the Blue Jackets cause.

Dubinsky can truly emerge as a leader on the Blue Jackets roster, and if he has a breakout season that results in All-Star consideration, it might end up not only boosting his hockey cred but help take the Blue Jackets to the postseason and to the next level for years to come.

Sep 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) moves the puck against Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) in the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) moves the puck against Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) in the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Case Scenario

Columbus hasn’t been to the postseason since 2013-14, and last season can be chalked up to being injury riddled. That doesn’t guarantee the Blue Jackets will surge back to the postseason, but it does give fans hope that the ceiling is high. Additions like Gregory Campbell and Brandon Saad mean the Jackets will be good for years to come, but they might be able to sneak back into the postseason this year if everything falls into place.

The East is wide open this year, and while Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Boston seem like the last three teams into the playoffs this year, Columbus could very easily surge and knock one of those teams to the outside of the bubble.

Worst Case Scenario

Injuries held the Jackets back last year, but getting this team to gel together might be the issue this season. While adding Campbell, Saad and others this offseason was a great move for the future, it might take Todd Richards some time to get everyone on the same page.

There’s also the possibility that injuries creep up again and bite the Jackets. It’s not a heavy possibility, but it needs to be considered that the Jackets have proven their susceptible to having things fall out from under them. They’re not a sexy playoff pick but they’re also not a reliable one either. The worst case here is that injuries creep up and force further recession for a team that seems to otherwise be on the cusp.

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