Columbus Blue Jackets 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

With the NHL Hockey season just around the corner, we are providing season previews for all 30 teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best NHL Hockey Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the NHL in our recommend sportsbooks. View the rest of our 2009 NHL Season Previews here.

Columbus Blue Jackets 2008-’09 record:
41-31-10, 92 points (4th in Central, 7th in West)

Columbus Blue Jackets 2008-’09 playoffs:
Lost to Detroit Red Wings4-0

Last season was easily the best season in franchise history. That’s because the Blue Jackets made the playoffs for the first time! Buoyed by a big season from captain Rick Nash, who scored 40 goals, and the emergence of rookie goalie Steve Mason, the Blue Jackets managed to finish fourth in the extremely difficult Central Division.

The good news was that their 92 points earned them the 7th seed in the Western Playoff bracket. The bad news was that their 7th place finish earned them a difficult first round matchup with the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Detroit Red Wings, who promptly swept the Jackets out of the playoffs. Despite the disappointing ending, it was still a great season in Columbus.

Columbus Blue Jackets 2009 Preview

Columbus Blue Jackets General manager: Scott Howson (75-77-22, 3rd NHL year, 1st team)

Columbus Blue Jackets Coach: Ken Hitchcock (482-308-121, 14th NHL year, 3rd team)

Columbus Blue Jackets Captain: Rick Nash

Columbus Blue Jackets Top Returning Scorer: LW Rick Nash (40 goals, 39 assists, 79 points)

Columbus Blue Jackets Top Returning Goalie: Steve Mason (33-20-7, 2.29, .916)

Columbus Blue Jackets Key Additions: G Mathieu Garon; C Samuel Pahlsson; LW Pascal Pelletier; D Mathieu Roy; D Anton Stralman.

Columbus Blue Jackets Key Subtractions: D Aaron Rome; D Ole-Kristian Tollefsen; C Jason Williams; GWade Dubielewicz; C Manny Malhotra; LW Mike York; D Christian Backman; C Chris Gratton; C Jiri Novotny; C Michael Peca.

Columbus Blue Jackets Top Line: LW Rick Nash, C Derick Brassard, RW Kristian Huselius

Columbus Blue Jackets Top Defensive Pairing: Jan Hejda, Mike Commodore

For the first time in franchise history, Columbus might have three lines that can consistently put the puck in the net. The most dangerous unit will likely be Brassard centering Nash and shifty Kristian Huselius, who scored 21 goals last year. However, the second unit of RJ Umberger-Antoine Vermette-Jacub Voracek features three solid scorers and should prove to be a threat as well. Ohio State product Umberger is especially dangerous as a goal scorer, having potted 26 in his first season back in Columbus last year. On top of all of that skill, rookie Nikita Filatov, the 6 th pick in the 2008 draft, appears ready for a full-time role at the NHL level and should add some scoring touch next to Pahlsson and aging sniper Frederick Modin once he returns from injury. Columbus has a strong set of forwards which should score plenty of goals this year and with this much talent I can’t imagine the CBJ repeating last year’s putrid power play performance, which saw them finish dead last in the entire NHL!

That’s good news, because the Blue Jackets don’t really have an offensive-minded group of defensemen. A full year of health from Rosti Klesla would help their powerplay dearly, because monstrous defensive specialist Fedor Tyutin was the unit’s top scorer in 2008-2009 with 34 points. In fact, I would argue that Klesla’s progression into an offensive weapon is key for the Blue Jackets to truly compete with the heavyweights in their division. However, this group is very strong in their own end and should do a great job clearing the front of the net for Steve Mason.

Speaking of Mason, the 2008-2009 Calder Trophy winner as the NHL’s Most Outstanding Rookie (and a finalist for the Vezina Trophy!) had a very heavy workload last year, having played in 61 of the last 67 games for the CBJ! Mason had ten shutouts to lead the league and was one of the absolute best at his position in hockey. With Garon now in the fold, Mason can take the occasional breather and shouldn’t wear down like he appeared to during last year’s playoffs. Expect the Blue Jackets to have one of the league’s strongest goaltending situations.

2009 Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltending:

Forced into breech by injury to Pascal Leclaire, Mason posted NHL-leading 10 shutouts en route to winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. Appeared in 61 of Blue Jackets’ last 67 games. Exudes calmness for a guy barely into his 20s playing hockey’s most difficult position. Solid economical movements combined with size and technique make him difficult to beat with the first shot.

2009 Columbus Blue Jackets Player To Watch:

LW Nikita Filatov. Made seamless transition to North American game in terms of offensive skill, netting four goals in an eight-game stint with the big club. Fluid skater, can score with the best and is also an adept passer and playmaker, but needs to bulk up and work on his defensive game to become a force at the NHL level.

2009 Columbus Blue Offense:

The stakes will now be raised in Columbus, where increased success is expected. Pahlsson will help Columbus in the offensive and defensive zones. He has reached the West finals four times and the Stanley Cup finals twice in six seasons. He had seven goals and 11 assists in 65 games last season with Anaheim and Chicago. Nash scored 40 goals and added a career high with 39 assists. He has been the team’s top goal-scorer for five straight seasons.

2009 Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule | 2009 Central Division Preview
2009 Western Conference Preview | Columbus Blue Jackets Sportsbooks

Columbus Blue Jackets 2009 Season Predictions

No longer the only NHL team never to make the playoffs, the Blue Jackets still remain the only NHL team never to win a playoff game. That should change this spring with the continued maturation of their young stars, especially Nash and Mason.

We predict that the Columbus Blue Jackets will finish 3rd in the NHL Central, 6th seed in West: 95 points.

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting

Columbus Blue Jackets Stanley Cup Odds: +6000
Columbus Blue Jackets Western Conference Odds: +3000
Columbus Blue Jackets Central Odds: +1500

Will the Columbus Blue Jackets will go all the way to the Stanley Cup? Or, will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy Columbus Blue Jackets betting at our feature sportsbooks. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of money placing informed, smart Columbus Blue Jackets bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.