2024-25 Columbus Blue Jackets Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals
The Blue Jackets had a bad season a year ago. They finished in the basement of the Eastern Conference with 66 points. They managed just 21 regulation wins and finished with an Eastern Conference worst -63 goal differential. Though they struggled against everybody, they did manage to have an 8-5-3 record against the Pacific Division, the only division they had a winning record against. This now marks four straight years without a playoff appearance for the Blue Jackets.
Columbus ranked 25th in the NHL in GF/G, averaging 2.85 GF/G, while ranking 31st in the league with just 32 Power Play goals. Their 15.1% PP% ranked 31st in the league and their penalty kill wasn’t much better, with a 76.3% PK% which ranked 26th. Johnny Gaudreau was the lone bright spot for this Blue Jackets team, leading the way with 60 points, 12 goals and 48 assists, though the star carried a -27 +/- rating. Behind him was blueliner Zach Werenski with 57 points on 11 goals and 46 assists. Kirill Marchenko and Boone Jenner were the only two Columbus players to reach the 20-goal mark as they finished with 23 and 22 goals, respectively.
Their goaltending wasn’t any better and basically made it impossible for the Blue Jackets to be competitive. They finished 31st in the NHL, as they allowed 3.63 GA/G on a .900 SV%. They had 2,821 shots against, which was the second most in the league behind San Jose. The big struggle was consistency, as Columbus had five different goalies play last season. Elvis Merzlikins played 41 games and allowed 3.45 GA/G on a .897 SV%. Behind him, it was even messier. Daniil Tarasov, Spencer Martin, Jeff Greaves, and Malcolm Subban appeared in a combined 47 games allowing 3.33 GA/G on a .904 SV%.
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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2024/25:
Columbus Blue Jackets Key Additions/Losses
The Blue Jackets had perhaps the hardest summer imaginable. They lost their star in Johnny Gaudreau as he was tragically killed in an accident that also took his brother. Gaudreau was brought to Columbus in hopes of being a franchise cornerstone for many years to come, and now the Blue Jackets are without his production on the ice, but also his leadership and personality in the locker room.
Outside of Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets traded Patrick Laine to Montreal, while blueliner Jake Bean and forwards Josh Dunne, Brendan Gaunce, and Carson Meyer found new homes via the free agent market.
Their offseason additions were limited to just four significant moves. The most impactful of those signings was forward Sean Monahan, who totaled 59 points on 26 goals and 33 assists last season for Winnipeg. The team also signed goalie Zach Sawchenko to a two-way contract that gives the team another option between the pipes if needed. Columbus added some more depth upfront by adding veteran forward James van Riemsdyk, who had 38 points (11 goals) for Boston last season. Finally, they brought in defenseman Jordan Harris who totaled 14 points in 56 games as their return in the Laine deal.
Columbus Blue Jackets X-Factors
The Future- It is hard for the Blue Jackets to have even an ounce of optimism after losing their star and centerpiece in Gaudreau. However, there is no other option than to restart the rebuild. Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Yegor Chinakhov, Cole Sillinger, and Kirill Marchenko give the Blue Jackets five young forwards to build around for the future. It is likely they will flip one or more of Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, James van Riemsdyk among others to add future capital as the can was kicked further down the road for this rebuild. When you lose a leader and producer like Gaudreau, you have to take a step back and reset your plans on the build of the roster. The Blue Jackets may be the worst team in the league this season and are years away from being competitive in the NHL.
Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Outlook
Elvis Merzlikins is back as the starting netminder for this Blue Jackets team. Merzlikins has allowed 3.63 GA/G over his last three seasons (130 games) with an average SV% of just .893. Now the 30-year-old goalie will have to anchor perhaps the worst roster. Behind Merzlikins, is Daniil Tarasov and Jet Greaves who went a combined 11-17 last year while allowing 3.34 GA/G on a .908 SV%. It will be a long year for the Blue Jackets and opponents should be able to score often against them.
Grade: F
Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule Stretch
October 15th- November 1st: This two week stretch features eight games, with seven of them at home for the Blue Jackets. It’s quite possible that all eight of these teams will be in the playoff hunt at the end of the year, giving the Blue Jackets a chance to play spoiler, early in the season. The stretch starts with a four game homestand against Florida, Buffalo, Minnesota, and Toronto. Then a quick trip to Nashville to face the Predators, before returning for a three-game home stretch against Edmonton, New York (Islanders), and Winnipeg.
Columbus Blue Jackets Notable Odds
Stanley Cup Champions: +40000
Conference Winner: +15000
Division Winner: +15000
To Make the Playoffs- Yes: +1400
Vezina Trophy- Elvis Merzlikins: +25000
Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
Last season the Blue Jackets finished the season with 66 points. Now with a point total of 68.5, paired with the significant losses they faced in the offseason, the south side of the point total seems likely. This team got worse and should once again be in the basement of the Eastern Conference, and quite possibly the whole league. I don’t think Columbus will reach the 60 point mark this season.
Under 68.5 Team Total Points
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