The Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to start the NHL season with water on their tongue.
Columbus’ Jakub Voracek is known as an excellent pitcher. Voracek will soon be able to pass pucks to the shoulder of the new star forward. PDO
Head coach of an NHL club by Brad Larsen the most important task in the upcoming season is to tow the Columbus Blue Jackets back to the spring playoffs. Reaching the goal requires success especially from the team’s star players, and the organization can’t wait to see what the renewed first-team attack chain can accomplish.
Larsen told Monday’s media conference that Patrick Laine and acquired in the summer with an expensive contract Johnny Gaudreau start cooperation immediately when practice games start. Gaudreau played last season in the Calgary Flames and reached the second place in the regular season points market with his 115 (40+75) power points. Laine, who lives for goals, has been hoping for such a versatile attacker for a long time.
Johnny Gaudreau was behind only Connor McDavid in power points last season. PDO
– I’ll try them right away in the same chain. I want to see if there is chemistry between them. I think everyone thinks they play well together. I would like to use them together early so they can get to know each other, Larsen describes.
The big question in Columbus is who will complete the offensive line. Larsen has also thought about the same, who listed the captain as options Boone Jenner’s, by Jack Roslovic and by Cole Sillinger. Larsen has said that he will rotate all three in that role until the best possible combination is found.
Defender of the team Zack Werenski has followed the training of his teammates and noticed the development of 24-year-old Lainee. Werenski is also among those who can’t wait for Laine and Gaudreau to play together.
– Patrik seems to be fine. It looks like he’s not even trying. He just dominated. When you get Johnny next to feed it, it’s a scary situation for other teams, says Werenski.
Last season was a bad one for Laine. He played in 56 matches and scored 26 goals during them. If he remains healthy and finds chemistry with Gaudreau, Laine can get close to his 2017-2018 goal record, i.e. 44 full hits. Werenski even believes in reaching a new decade.
– At least 50? We’ve seen him score 40 goals, and last season he would have been close to that mark. When you add Johnny and Jakub (Voracek), who is an excellent passer, he always has someone on the ice to give him the puck. I expect a tough season from Patrik.
The NHL clubs will start their practice games this week and next week. The season starts in three weeks.