Coming off of a surprisingly competent 2021-22 season, the first under new coach Brad Larsen, and with the addition of major free agent signing Johnny Gaudreau, expectations were high for 2022-23. Instead, the Columbus Blue Jackets finished as the second-worst team in the entire league at 59 points, 22 points lower than 2021-22. It was a massive disappointment, but there were two silver linings: over 500 games lost to injury meant the record wasn’t a true reflection of the talent on paper (when healthy), and the poor finish meant the chance to pick an elite prospect at the top of the draft.
Reviewing the 2023-24 Season: The Blue Jackets were doomed from the beginning
