The 2014-15 Season Is A Wrap!
- Updated: April 13, 2015
The Columbus Blue Jackets season is finally over. After the 2014 playoffs, and going into camp, this city was buzzing with optimism, something Columbus knows nothing about in sports unless its for the Ohio State Football Buckeyes. We knew this team would be heading to the playoffs. I even predicted that the CBJ would finish ahead of the Penguins and Flyers. They got Ryan Johansen signed, which put the fans in a buzz as well. And then the injuries started….
Brandon Dubinsky, Boone Jenner, Nathan Horton, all injured before the season. With Nathan Hortons being diagnosed as potentially career ending. Dubinsky with an abdominal injury, Jenner broke a bone is his hand, and Horton having a severe back injury, Fans were still optimistic.
By the end of October all fans had slumped into a pit of despair. James Wisniewski, Sergei Bobrovsky, Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Boone Jenner, Nathan Horton, Matt Calvert, Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno all were missing time or listed and day to day.
By the end of the 2014 calender year, all hope was lost. December did have a 7 game winning streak, but even with that streak, the season was so far gone, the points didn’t make a dent in what they lost. Some fans were even calling for Coach Richards head. I however argued for him everyday, he should be the coach, the injuries weren’t his fault. A few fans whom I respect were even saying injuries are no excuse, but when you lose 35 million of payroll to injuries at one time, give em a break!
By the end of February, the injuries were just plain laughable. The list of injured players or players listed day to day or from suspensions were as follows : Foligno, Johnson, Atkinson, Hartnell, Wisniewski, Skiile, Wennberg, Calvert, Tyutin, Tropp, Prout, Chaput, Dubinsky, Letestu, Anisimov, Jenner, Morin, Gibbons, Murray, Bobrovsky Horton and McElhinney. 20 players on the shelf at some point. Devastating! I challenge anyone to say injuries didn’t play a part in this disappointing season.
The CBJ traded Nathan Horton for David Clarkson at the deadline, what happened? After a few games Clarkson was on the shelf with an injury. James Wisniewski was traded for Rene Bourque, what happened? Bourque played very well, and then was injured and out for the season. Head Coach Todd Richards said in an interview “It seems like if you’re playing well, expect to get hurt”, and it continued. The injuries didn’t stop.
When the buzzer sounds on the 2014-15 season, the Jackets led the league with 508 man games lost. The most in the NHL.
March rolled around and the team started getting guys back every day. The Jackets went 11-4 and carried a 7 game win streak into April. This team was healthy, and rolling! I continually called this team “lethal” They were consistently out shot and played from behind, but somehow managed to come back and win games. The last regulation loss for the CBJ was March 15 to the Hurricanes. After the 4th game of a franchise record 9 game win streak i tweeted “What if the #CBJ win out…?” I was joking, but it almost happened. The only loss coming to the Rangers in overtime. The CBJ won 15 of their last 17 and finished with 89 points. They ended up finishing 5th in the wild card standings, when just a month ago, they were almost dead last!
A few fans were calling for this team to tank. I however would disown any team of mine who decided to tank for a draft pick. They got healthy and no one could stop them. They beat teams who were considered the top teams in the NHL, and did so in convincing fashion. This team put all the tank talk behind them and mauled the league. The hottest team in the NHL played their way out of a top pick in the draft, and I’m fine with that.
The only players to play the entire 82 game schedule were Ryan Johansen and David Savard. It comes as no surprise that both players had career years. Savard finished with 11 goals and 36 points. He led all defense men in goals, and finished behind Jack Johnson in points by a defense man. Ryan Johansen, fresh off a new contract, played his finest season as a professional. 26 Goals and 71 points, good enough for second on the team in scoring, behind Nick Foligno. Foligno finished with 31 Goals and 73 points. This marks the first time in CBJ history that 2 players have finished with more than 70 points.
Scott Hartnell, acquired from the Flyers for RJ Umberger had an awesome season. Despite missing a few games, he played very well. Hartnell finished with 28 Goals and 60 points. Most of his year was spent with his “kids” Alex Wennberg and Marko Dano. When it comes to his line mates he recently said “I’m gonna miss my kids. I’m definitely going to Facetime them.” Those two definitely benefited from playing with him. It’s safe to say that the CBJ got the best of this trade, I respect Umberger enough not to post his stats, but lets just say they weren’t anywhere close to Hartnells.
Sergei Bobrovsky had another stellar year. He only played in 51 games mostly due to injury, but managed to finish 30-17-3. With a .918 save %, he helped this team win some games down the stretch and helped the team finish with back to back 40 win seasons. Curtis McElhinney played decent in Bobrosvskys absence. While only finishing 12-14-2, most of Curtis’ games were played when the Jackets were just flat out bad, and injury riddled. I respect McElhinney for how he’s played and backed up Bob the last few seasons. I would not be surprised if the CBJ brass re-sign him again this summer.
Two things stood out to me this season, 1. obviously injuries, and 2. the play of the kids! Marko Dano and Alex Wennberg played great. Dano only played in 35 games and registered 21 points. Wennberg played in 68 games with 20 points. Dano seems to be a little more refined and fine tuned for the NHL right this second. Probably from having played professional before coming to the CBJ. Kerby Rychel even made a few games and got three assists. These kids are going to be good, Jarmo and JD have some tough decisions to make this summer and in the future.
Overall, I actually consider this season to be, not so much a failure, but more of a learning experience. It’s obvious injuries played a major part in the decline of the season, and that is something that the CBJ front office needs to address. Yes, they missed the playoffs, but more importantly, we know how this team plays when they are healthy. They play well!
This team needs a “C”, badly. At the time of this article, Jarmo has said that they will most certainly have a captain next season. My vote, since Day 1 of acquiring him is Nick Foligno. He just gets it. He sticks up for his guys, he’s vocal, and he’s very good at hockey! I have said he needs to be the “C” for almost 3 years now, get it done Jarmo!
I am glad I had the chance to experience this season with all of you fellow CBJ fans. Good and Bad, I enjoy talking with you all. I’m looking forward to this summer with free agency and the draft, and I cannot wait until next season.
About Jason Newland
