Fansided

Every NHL team’s best active player still searching for a Stanley Cup win

By Kyle McKenna

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Columbus Blue Jackets

It may be hard to believe, but the Columbus Blue Jackets have never advanced past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the franchise’s inception back in 2000-01. While the Jackets have clinched a berth in the playoffs only four times, Columbus most recently clinched back-to-back appearances (2017 & 2018).

Young defenseman Seth Jones and company are hoping that they can transform the Blue Jackets into a consistent Stanley Cup contender, but the team’s best player is going to not only have to help the organization win its first Cup – but his too.

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been the face of the Blue Jackets since he was acquired by the team in a trade during the 2012 offseason. His uncanny and surprising play between the pipes immediately put the Jackets back on the map, and gave the team hope that it could build around franchise player.

Since joining Columbus, Bobrovsky has won two Vezina Trophies (2013 & 2017), and collected 24 shutouts. While “Bob” played parts of two seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers (2010-2012), he failed to record a single shutout.

The 29-year-old’s career save-percentage is a stellar .923 with Columbus, and his 176 career wins (1st) with the team are 80 more than Steve Mason’s 96. Though, if the Russian native were to deliver a Stanley Cup to the city of Columbus, he’ll have to improve his game during the postseason.

2018-19 is a telling year for he and the Blue Jackets, especially since Bobrovsky is set to become an unrestricted free agent after season’s end.

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