theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets took a step back in 2015-16, finishing with 76 points. Still, the team had a winning record under coach John Tortorella, who took over in late October, and has the talent to build on that performance.
Here's what the Blue Jackets' lineup looks like going into the 2016-17 season:
Forwards
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Saad | Brandon Dubinsky | Cam Atkinson |
| Nick Foligno | Boone Jenner | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| Scott Hartnell | Alexander Wennberg | Sam Gagner |
| Matt Calvert | William Karlsson | David Clarkson |
- The forward ranks bring two noteworthy changes. First, Danish forward Oliver Bjorkstrand will play wing in the top six. He scored eight points in 12 appearances in Columbus last season, and also won the Calder Cup with the club's AHL affiliate. Free-agent addition Sam Gagner adds another offensive weapon up front.
Defense
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Ryan Murray | Seth Jones |
| Jack Johnson | David Savard |
| Zach Werenski | Dalton Prout |
| Cody Goloubef |
- The Blue Jackets will get to see a full season of last year's big-ticket addition in Seth Jones. Following his trade to Columbus, Jones posted 20 points in 41 games, finishing the year with 31. Another youngster in rookie defender Zach Werenski, 19, could make his NHL debut on the left side behind Ryan Murray and Jack Johnson.
Goalies
| G |
|---|
| Sergei Bobrovsky |
| Curtis McElhinney |
- Sergei Bobrovsky is the man in Columbus, and the team's success will depend on his performance. A groin injury limited him to 37 games last season. Now healthy, he should expect 50-plus starts.
NHL Depth Charts
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY
CAR | CHI | COL | CBJ | DAL
DET | EDM | FLA | LA | MIN
MTL | NSH | NJD | NYI | NYR
PHI | PIT | OTT | STL | SJ
TB | TOR | VAN | WSH | WPG
