Sergei Bobrovsky looks to repeat for Columbus.
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TEAM: Columbus Blue Jackets

2013 Record: 24-17-7 55 Pts

Rank: 9th (West)

After years in the doldrums, the Blue Jackets turned it around in their final season out West. Led by Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky, they just fell short of the franchise’s second postseason losing out to the Wild on the regulation overtime wins (ROW) tiebreaker. Now, they shift East joining the Metro Division. Can they ride the momentum and take the next step? Let’s take a closer look.

FORWARDS: In the first year post-Nash, the Jackets did it by committee. Leading scorer Vinny Prospal isn’t back. However, former Blueshirt Marion Gaborik is expected to lead the offense. No stranger to the division, Gaborik is a proven scorer who should be a lock for 30 goals. Familiar faces Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky have assumed leadership roles and are expected to contribute. Columbus shelled out $37.1 million for proven playoff performer Nathan Horton. It’s a gamble on an injury prone player who won’t start the season but has some good years left. R.J. Umberger, Mark Letestu and Nick Foligno are key contributors. Cam Atkinson isn’t the biggest but can turn on the jets. Matt Calvert and Derek MacKenzie are energizers and Jared Boll is the popular enforcer. If Ryan Johansen can figure it out in Year 3, that’d be huge. Boone Jenner has a chance to make the club. He combines skill with grit playing a physical style. If not right away, definitely the next calendar year. Blake Comeau and Cody Bass are depth players.

DEFENSEMEN: Fedor Tyutin anchors an underrated blueline that became a staple. The ex-Ranger comes off arguably his best year and is signed long-term. Along with James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson, that trio share most of the responsibility. Johnson and Wisniewski are the two best offensive D and must be factors on the power play. Each will take chances. Nikita Nikitin also is capable offensively putting up 32 points in ’11-12. Dalton Prout came out of nowhere to become a regular posting a plus-15 rating over 28 games. He supplanted Tim Erixon, who’s hoping to stick. Keep an eye on Ryan Murray. The former 2012 first round pick is returning from shoulder surgery that cost him most of 2012-13. Only 19, he’d have to force his way on. He’s signed and turns 20 on September 27. Assuming Murray’s not ready, the seventh spot is up for grabs. Depth might be an issue unless someone surprises.

GOALIES: Undoubtedly, Sergei Bobrovsky is the man following an amazing ’12-13 that began in the KHL with St. Petersburg SKA and ended with his first Vezina. What a transformation for the former Flyer. Now, the pressure’s on. Can he duplicate that success over a full 82 in an Olympic year where he’ll likely backstop host Russia? He’s back in a division that boasts some of the best offensive talent. The Jackets didn’t sign him long-term opting for a multi-year extension worth $11.25 million. Wise on their part. Whenever you have Olympic play, the role of the backup increases. Curtis McElhinney is serviceable. He spent most of last year in the AHL posting nine shutouts with Springfield. Mike McKenna is a journeyman.

SPECIAL TEAMS: If there’s a sore spot that needs improvement, it’s the power play. Not surprisingly, they ranked near the bottom placing 28th at 14.2 percent. Experienced players such as Gaborik and Horton can change that. It’ll mostly fall on Gaborik until Horton returns. That didn’t work out well in New York. The penalty kill was stronger finishing 11th (82.6 percent). They scored three shorthanded goals with Letestu netting a pair and Calvert the other. Umberger, Dubinsky and Anisimov are strong penalty killers. Tyutin and Johnson will get most of the bulk. The Jackets were the eighth most penalized team. They’d be wise to stay out of the box.

COACHING: After getting out to a shaky start, some wondered if Todd Richards would become a coaching casualty. Instead, he got a revamped Jackets to buy in using a similar formula to ex-Ranger coach John Tortorella. They won by outworking opponents and leaning heavily on Bobrovsky. That can work over 82 games. The interesting question is if they hit a rough patch, can he adjust on the fly. More is expected. In four years behind the bench with Minnesota and Columbus, he’s never made the playoffs. More is expected with this group.

ANALYSIS: The move East will prove challenging. In order to take the next step, the Jackets need a big year out of Gaborik and a repeat from Bobrovsky. You can win if you’re best offensive player and goalie perform. Horton’s return will be a determining factor. The supporting cast is decent but scoring could still be an issue. Basically, the Jackets have become Rangers Ohio and will win ugly. Something that won’t be uncommon in a division that also includes the Devils. They can finish anywhere from second to fifth. They’ll be in the mix but should be battling it out with other bubble teams.

PREDICTION: 4th (Metro Division)