Don Waddell and the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to run it back with the same defensemen they did last year, but is that a good idea? It's not necessarily a bad thing to try in my opinion.  

Columbus gave up the 8th most amount of goals with 267, and had a GAA of 3.26, which was also the 8th worst. So why on Earth would they go back to the same guys? Mainly, I think it's because Don Waddell trusts the players he has. It feels like he thinks they can be a good group, despite last year's woes. Maybe it's not them. 

The CBJ played 10 different defensemen during the season. Of those 10, three are no longer with the team, with two not offered contracts, and David Jiříček being traded on November 30, 2024. 

Of the regulars, two players, Werenski and Provorov, both played over 80 games. Damon Severson played 70, and Jake Christiansen came in with 68 games played. 

Dante Fabbro was claimed off waivers on November 10, 2024, on only played in 62 games. Denton Mateychuk was recalled in late December and played in 45 games. Veteran Erik Gudbranson suffered a shoulder injury early in the season and only played in 16 games very late in the season. 

How would this crew have done had they had an entire season to play and gel together? Werenski and Fabbro play great together. As do Werenski and Provorov. Mateychuk and Provorov did very well together despite Mateychuk's inexperience. Gudbranson, Christiansen, and Severson holding up the bottom pairing should do well together as long as they can stay healthy. 

Fast forward to July 3, and it's looking like we may get the chance to see how they'll do. 

The Jackets have signed Fabbro and Provorov, and will bring back Werenski, Severson, Gudbranson, Christiansen, and Mateychuk. 

I guess the point of this is maybe the crew they have will be much better if they have an entire season together. Maybe it's not the defense that's the reason for all the goals, but that's a different story. 

Goaltending. 

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