Columbus Blue Jackets: 3 Reasons Why They Will Make the Playoffs

Few fans in hockey are looking at the opening of the 2011-12 hockey season with as much optimism as those in Columbus.  After one bright playoff appearance in 2009, the Blue Jackets have stunk.  Fans have abandoned the team in droves, hoping and praying for an infusion of talent and hope.

The team's shrewd offseason changes have addressed many critical needs.  For the first time in a few years, Jacket fans have hope that this year's team might make the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.

Here are three reasons why they will.

There's More Scoring Punch

Some hockey experts opined that the Jackets won't contend until Rick Nash is the second-best player on the team.  His work with Team Canada gives that statement a lot of credence and likely prompted GM Scott Howson to seek offensive-minded leaders.   

The addition of Jeff Carter caught all the headlines in the offseason.  But the Jackets' offensive upgrade involves much more than Carter.  They added James Wisniewski (currently hit with an eight-game suspension), a tough defenseman who's unafraid to join the rush, which is a crucial part of Scott Arniel's system.  Rookie David Savard will provide a similar spark from the blue line.

Young stars Ryan Johansen and Cam Atkinson start the season with the team, adding enough speed and offensive firepower to push previously established players like Derek Brassard down the depth chart.  But Vinny Prospal may be the key.  Prospal has tremendous play-making skills and will be a huge second line upgrade for the Jackets—especially when paired with dynamo R.J. Umberger.

More Leadership in the Locker Room

Rick Nash may be the captain and the face of the franchise, but he has never been the emotional leader this team needs.  R.J. Umberger has played with a ton of heart since arriving in Columbus, but not enough of his teammates have followed suit.  Nash's quiet leadership may have been counterproductive to keeping the team energized and intense during the rough winter months. 

Carter, Wisniewski, Prospal and new addition Radek Martinek will all contribute vocal leadership and change the atmosphere in the locker room.   The Jackets traditionally turn to road kill in December and January, just when the rest of the league heats up. 

In the past these slumps have been blamed on injuries and coaching, but the reality is that the team has lacked the heart and character that can be the difference between a three game slump and a twenty game swoon.

The newly-acquired veterans and rookies like Savard, Atkinson and Johansen are not just on the team to upgrade the talent.  They were added to change the locker room culture and provide the energy and intensity the team has lacked for years.

Steve Mason will Be Better

Steve Mason has the potential to be one of the very best goaltenders in the league.  Unfortunately, he also has the potential to stink up the crease.  This summer the Jackets hired Ian Clark to be their goaltending coach. Clark has previously worked with some of the best net-minders in hockey, including Roberto Luongo, Cam Ward  and Johan Hedberg. 

Clark may end up being the team's best offseason acquisition.  If his preseason performance is any indication, Mason will be a much better goalie this season, thanks to his work with Clark.  He's already showing that he's positioning himself better before shots and has better rebound control.

The Jackets previously had a depth problem in the net, but they also addressed that area by adding Curtis Sanford and Mark Dekanich.  Both are proven backup goaltenders who performed well in the preseason.

Dekanich is currently recovering from a high ankle sprain and will start the season with promising youngster Allen York in Syracuse.  But both veterans will be counted on to give Mason rest when needed.

The offensive upgrades will also help Mason.  If the team can score more it will reduce the pressure on him to be the difference-maker every time he hits the ice.

Even with the upgrades, it is hard to imagine a deep playoff run for the Jackets in the West, with teams like Vancouver, San Jose and Chicago light years ahead of them.  But for the first time in many years there is a decent talent upgrade and an infusion of leadership in the locker room. 

While they may not be good enough to win it all, they are good enough to go further than they ever have before.

Take heart, Jacket fans.  Your team will be playing playoff hockey this season.