Speculation: Where do the Jackets finish?

[EspenK]

Y'all knew this was coming. Let's see what everyone thinks.

I tend to be pessimistic but think they will top 70 with upside asound 77 or 78. Injuries, Elvis and the newcomers will tell the tale.

Click to read more...

 

[CBJx614]

I think we're close to the playoffs but it comes down to the final stretch of games.

 

[Byrral]

20 point improvement = 79 points

Next season I expect a bigger step forward

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Low 70s points. Outside chance at not breaking 70 points. Too many questions about goaltending and defense and am not sensing a team that can produce the offense needed to overcome defensive deficiencies.

Longer term concern is that Laine and Gadreau have peaked and are beginning the downside of their careers. Don't like the 8 year deal given to Severson. Elvis only in year 2 of what probably is a disaster of a 5 year deal. Having Jarmo at the helm could lead to some desperation transactions which further the long term downside risk of the team.

Upside is that watching Fantilli, Johnson, Laine, Marchenko and Gadreau will provide pockets of high entertainment value in an otherwise likely dismal season.

 

[stevo61]

I know they overachieved in the 81 point season but I think they are better and can improve on that. I voted 86-90

 

[Cowumbus]

79-81 points

 

[squashmaple]

I think 82 sounds perfect. I think they’ll get a lot of loser points because they managed to tie the game in the last minutes but couldn’t get over the hump. Anything over 75 I’ll be happy, though.

 

[MoeBartoli]

I’m thinking the Jackets are a 50/50 points gathering team and went with 81-85.

 

[majormajor]

I think 82 sounds perfect. I think they’ll get a lot of loser points because they managed to tie the game in the last minutes but couldn’t get over the hump. Anything over 75 I’ll be happy, though.

I think they'd be good 3v3 though.

I expect around 82 but the roster is so talented. I don't expect them to figure it all out this year but I know that they'll be capable of more, playoffs even, and it might be hard for me to be happy with the results.

 

[squashmaple]

I think they'd be good 3v3 though.

I expect around 82 but the roster is so talented. I don't expect them to figure it all out this year but I know that they'll be capable of more, playoffs even, and it might be hard for me to be happy with the results.

Not if they don't have possession. They don't have a strong faceoff guy they can risk getting stuck on the ice at 3v3, because I certainly don't want Jenner or Kuraly out there for that.

 

[majormajor]

Not if they don't have possession. They don't have a strong faceoff guy they can risk getting stuck on the ice at 3v3, because I certainly don't want Jenner or Kuraly out there for that.

I'm actually ok with faceoff specialists at 3v3. If you have the puck they change, if you don't have the puck they're better defenders anyways.

 

[squashmaple]

I'm actually ok with faceoff specialists at 3v3. If you have the puck they change, if you don't have the puck they're better defenders anyways.

And 3 on 3 is about speed, and neither of those guys has anything resembling footspeed. You get stuck out there with skates-in-mud Jenner after he loses an offensive zone faceoff, that puck is behind Elvis before Boone's past the blue line.

 

[majormajor]

And 3 on 3 is about speed, and neither of those guys has anything resembling footspeed. You get stuck out there with skates-in-mud Jenner after he loses an offensive zone faceoff, that puck is behind Elvis before Boone's past the blue line.

I apparently think Boone is a lot faster than what everyone else thinks. Powerful skater.

 

[5th Line Fanatic]

75-82 points. Best case scenario, this feels like a point per game team. Still major questions on D for me and not just from the defensemen. The goalie situation looks awful. We don't appear to have many 200 foot players. I think we'll do ok scoring, but have trouble possessing the puck and keeping it out of our net. I wanted a 200 foot center and a new goalie to at least challenge Elvis. I got neither. If Laine at Center doesn't work out, Elvis continues to suck, and we have any trouble at all with injuries, we're going to be in for a long season again.

I predict Jarmo and JD will be gone in 2024.

 

[Napoli]

I'll say around 80 points.

I still have major concerns about consistent offense with our "score off the rush" offense.

Add Elvis and a lot of young players, there's potential for lots of losses.

That said, our defense is much improved with Provorov and Severson. If those guys work out and play as well as they've looked in pre-season, we'll win a lot more games. Just not having Peeke, Bean and Gudbranson playing big minutes will be a win for this team.

I'm interested to see if Vincent can create more offense than the previous two coaches. It should be a developmental year that has the chance to surprise but do to a lot of question marks, will probably falter.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

I'd say about 85 points. I expect them to do slightly better than 2021-22.

 

[ViD]

Kinda feel we’re either battling for a wild card spot or a high lottery spot.

At least a battle until the season end is guaranteed

 

[koteka]

Somewhere in the 70s and 13th in the East. I dont see a team that can hold late leads or take a tie game into overtime.

 

[Calendal]

Longer term concern is that Laine and Gadreau have peaked and are beginning the downside of their careers.

Laine is 25, star players seldom decline before 30 or so (they get maybe slower and smarter). Gadreau might be more of a problem in those terms but I seriously doubt any significant decline for a few more years. If the cap goes up fast like we expect, then the contract still won’t be anything too troublesome.

 

[majormajor]

Longer term concern is that Laine and Gadreau have peaked and are beginning the downside of their careers.

This strikes me as an odd thing to say after Laine has a terrific pre-season, it looks like he's in his best form ever.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

This strikes me as an odd thing to say after Laine has a terrific pre-season, it looks like he's in his best form ever.

Over the next few years. Most top players have their peak scoring years in their mid 20s. I don't anticipate a decline this season nor a rapid decline. Just thinking he's hit his peak-he averaged nearly 1.0 ppg over the past 2 seasons. More power to you to watch pre season. I can't take it anymore at my age. LOL

Gaudreau has no doubt peaked.

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

Expecting .500, so 82 points. We'll win some games with offense. Probably lose the same amount on goaltending.

 

[TaketheCannoli]

I voted 71-80 but I feel like this team could contend for the playoffs on down to like last year end up in the running for the 1st overall pick. It's a much more talented roster, but there are too many questions. Will Vincent provide the needed structure? Is he a decent strategist? Can he consistently get the best out of the players? How will Laine progress at center ice? Same for Fantilli, I think he could be a Calder Trophy, but it's asking an awful lot of a very young guy. How will the defense jell?

Then of course, there's goaltending. Elvis looked good early in his career, then bad and then awful the last two. If he can return being a competitive goalie - mid-#1 level- they might surprise us!

 

[BB88]

Goaltending will hold them back still this year but ahead of Flyers/Was should be target

Low 70s points. Outside chance at not breaking 70 points. Too many questions about goaltending and defense and am not sensing a team that can produce the offense needed to overcome defensive deficiencies.

Longer term concern is that Laine and Gadreau have peaked and are beginning the downside of their careers. Don't like the 8 year deal given to Severson. Elvis only in year 2 of what probably is a disaster of a 5 year deal. Having Jarmo at the helm could lead to some desperation transactions which further the long term downside risk of the team.

Upside is that watching Fantilli, Johnson, Laine, Marchenko and Gadreau will provide pockets of high entertainment value in an otherwise likely dismal season.

Laine at 25 is already heading downwards?

Okay there

Laine’s game has become more complete and I see no reason to expect a decline for multiple years

 

[JacketsDavid]

I voted 71-80.

The good:
Adding some chips to the blue line has to help.
Lot of forward depth.

The really bad:
Goaltending

The unknown:
Coaching - I don't think any of us know what to expect.
Chemistry - Somewhat related to coaching is the team chemistry especially with at least one young player (potentially more) going outside the room and playing an instrumental part in the coaching change.
Centers - Can Laine or Johnson play Center and how fast can Fantilli move into the top 6?