After a very disappointing 2022-23 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets would get defensively better going into the 2023-24 season.
2022-23
Record: 25-48-9 (59 pts) – 8th in Metropolitan
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Losses
Gavin Bayreuther (D – DAL), Brad Larsen (Head Coach)
Key Additions
Adam Fantilli (F), Damon Severson (D), Ivan Provorov (D), Alexandre Texier (F), Mike Babcock (Head Coach)
2023-24 Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets had a challenging season in 2022-23. They finished with a record of 25-48-9, earning a total of 59 points. In the Metropolitan Division, they claimed the 8th position. Despite their efforts, the team did not qualify for the playoffs.
An Offseason Change
The Columbus Blue Jackets underwent a coaching change from Brad Larsen to Mike Babcock for the 2023-24 season. This change brought a new direction and leadership to the team.
Brad Larsen had served as head coach for the Blue Jackets for the past two seasons. However, despite his efforts, the team struggled, finishing with a disappointing record and failing to qualify for the playoffs. As a result, the organization decided to make a change and bring in a new head coach.
Mike Babcock, a highly experienced and once respected coach in the NHL, was appointed as the new head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. With an impressive coaching career that includes winning a Stanley Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal, Babcock brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team.
Babcock is known for his strong emphasis on defensive play and attention to detail. His coaching style prioritizes discipline, structure, and accountability, which can have a significant impact on a team’s performance.
However, Babcock comes with some scrutiny as his time in Toronto ended on a sour note. There are multiple players that he coached in the past that have voiced their criticism about Babcock and his style of management and treatment of players. Babcock’s tenure with the Jackets will be heavily watched to see if he’s learned from his past mistakes, and has actually worked on bettering himself as both a coach, and a person.
Under Babcock’s guidance, the Blue Jackets are hopeful that they will improve defensively and become a more competitive team in the 2023-24 season.
Getting Defensively Better
Along with the addition of Babcock, the Blue Jackets would also go out and trade for defensemen Ivan Provorov (from Philadelphia) and Damon Severson (from New Jersey). The Jackets will also be getting back Zach Werenski, who only played 13 games due to injury. With these three defensemen the Jackets have improved there defensive corps tenfold.
After leaving their goalies out to dry last season, the Blue Jackets look to shore things up defensively, and with the moves they made, they look to be going in the right direction.
Read our other 2023-24 Team Previews: ANA, ARI, BOS, BUF, CAL, CAR, CHI, COL
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