2009-10 NHL preview: Columbus Blue Jackets

After making the playoffs for the first time in the team’s eight year history, the Columbus Blue Jackets headed into the off season looking to resign their 25 year old Captain LW Rick Nash to a long term deal. Nash could have opted not to sign, and become a free agent after the coming season and go either home to Toronto, or to a place where it seemed more likely to hoist a Stanley Cup Championship.

Thankfully Nash has a streak of loyalty and signed an eight year extension for 62 million dollars. What this does for the Blue Jackets is, keep their team focused on hockey instead of money, something their in state friend at the Cleveland Cavaliers have not been able to do. This deal also gives the chance for pro hockey to flourish in Columbus a big city for College Football.

This also gives the Blue jackets’ young players like Steve Mason, Jakub Voracek, Derick Brassard, and Rostislav Klesa all the reason they should need to stay and help the Blue Jackets become an elite team in the NHL. For Mason’s efforts last year he was awarded the Calder Trophy, and had one of the best seasons for a rookie Goal Tender since Tony Esposito. However Calder gave up 17 goals in the first round loss to the Detroit Red Wings, but each of these young players learned from that loss and will likely be better for it.

Additions- G Mathieu Garon, C Samuel Pahlsson, LW Pascal Pelletier, and D Mathieu Roy

Subtractions- G Wade Dubelewicz, F Craig MacDonald, D Aaron Rome, and D Ole-Kristian Tollefsen