Blue Jackets coach Richards on a healthy Horton: 'The more threats you have, the better'

While Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Horton remains on track for a full recovery following offseason abdominal surgery, both he and head coach Todd Richards are eager to see what the 29-year-old will bring to the club over the course of a full season.

Horton was limited to only 36 games in the first year of his seven-year, $37.1-million contract with the team, but Richards told BlueJackets.com that his squad will benefit from what Horton brings to the table:

It’s his presence and his experience. I think what he fits in to, as well, is a nasty style that we can play. He’s a goal-scorer. It’s something that teams have to know where he is because he’s someone who has really proven himself in his career to be a goal-scorer. So, he becomes a threat, and the more threats you have out on the ice, the better, because more teams have to pay attention to that.

Horton, who went to two Stanley Cup Finals with the Boston Bruins including a win in 2011, is using his recovery period to get in tip top shape in advance of the 2014-15 NHL season, where expectations have been raised for the team following a playoff appearance this past spring.

“It’s nice having a [full] summer where I can train. I haven’t had one in a while,” Horton said. “It’s different than the last few years that I was in Boston. I’ve got the whole summer, I can make myself stronger and work on things that I need to work on and get healthy.”

One key to maintaining a level of success will be playing well out of the gate.

“I think everybody knows the start that we need to have to be successful — there’s no issue there,” Horton said. “Everybody knows what we have to do and that’s what everyone’s striving for in the summer: to be better, to work harder and to come in ready and have a good start.”

Horton's presence will be boosted by the addition of Scott Hartnell, and Richards will be counting on the veterans to set the example in the locker room and on the ice: 

“We were a young team last year and we’re going to be a young team again," said the head coach. "To have some older guys with that type of experience is really important for us."