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5 Takeaways From Columbus Blue Jackets’ Early-Season Play

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5 Takeaways From Columbus' Early-Season Play

5 Takeaways From Columbus' Early-Season Play
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Columbus Blue Jackets came into this season looking to build off the franchise’s second ever playoff performance. About a month into the year, though, things aren’t looking as promising as some had thought. The Jackets currently sit at 6-10-1, good for seventh in the division. More than a few things have played a factor in the early season struggles, but as we analyze how the year has started for Columbus, here are the five biggest takeaways.

1. Injuries Have Decimated Columbus Early

1. Injuries Have Decimated Columbus Early
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

1. Injuries Have Decimated Columbus Early

1. Injuries Have Decimated Columbus Early
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the most unavoidable storyline of Columbus’ early season. The injuries this team has suffered are enough to fund an entire hospital, and the big string of ailments has been near-impossible to overcome for the Jackets. The next few weeks will see some players returning to the ice, but a ton of damage has already been done, leading you to wonder if the team can bounce back once fully healthy.

2. Ryan Johansen has Started Well Despite Holdout

2. Ryan Johansen has Started Well Despite Holdout
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ryan Johansen has Started Well Despite Holdout

2. Ryan Johansen has Started Well Despite Holdout
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Some were worried Johansen’s training camp holdout would result in a slow start, but the star center quickly quelled those concerns. Johansen leads the team with 20 points on six goals and 14 assists, with eleven points coming on the power play. Columbus’ rough start has made silver linings tough to find, but Johansen is definitely one of them.

3. The Scott Hartnell Trade is Paying Off So Far

3. The Scott Hartnell Trade is Paying Off So Far
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Scott Hartnell Trade is Paying Off So Far

3. The Scott Hartnell Trade is Paying Off So Far
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Beyond re-signing Johansen, the other big move made by the Jackets this offseason was trading for Hartnell. At the moment, he's paid off, currently third on the team in terms of points. Likewise, R.J. Umberger isn’t really making the team regret trading him away for Hartnell’s services. You can bet Hartnell’s veteran leadership is a crucial factor in keeping this team together during the rough start, as well.

4. Sergei Bobrovsky is Proving to Be Team’s Most Important Player

4. Sergei Bobrovsky is Proving to Be Team’s Most Important Player
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Sergei Bobrovsky is Proving to Be Team’s Most Important Player

4. Sergei Bobrovsky is Proving to Be Team’s Most Important Player
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries are tough for any team to deal with, but when it’s your Vezina-winning goalie who’s ailing, it’s an even bigger issue. Bobrovsky missed some time early, and the team struggled because of it. As soon as he returned, Columbus put together two crucial wins. The Jackets’ depth at netminder isn’t strong enough to survive without Bobrovsky, and it’s clear any success this year is dependent on the Russian goalie’s health.

5. The Early Nine-Game Losing Streak Gives Columbus a Huge Hole to Dig Out of

5. The Early Nine-Game Losing Streak Gives Columbus a Huge Hole to Dig Out of
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Early Nine-Game Losing Streak Gives Columbus a Huge Hole to Dig Out of

5. The Early Nine-Game Losing Streak Gives Columbus a Huge Hole to Dig Out of
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It’s tough to go nine games with just one point and survive to see the postseason. Columbus’ skid from earlier this month no doubt made repeating last year’s success an incredibly uphill battle. Obviously, the aforementioned injuries were a huge factor, and some are already saying the playoffs are out of the picture. It may be too early to say such things, but the losing streak made the road ahead a rocky one for Columbus.

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