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Columbus Blue Jackets Midseason Grades

January 23, 2015, 12:06 PM ET [8 Comments]
Todd Cordell
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We've reached the unofficial midway point of the year in All-Star weekend and, unfortunately for the Blue Jackets and their fans, this will probably be the high point of the season.

While the Jackets have gotten excellent hockey out of several of their players, just as many aren't playing well, and the team's inability to stay healthy has likely already cost the team their season.

With a few days off to go over what we've seen thus far, I thought it'd be fun to grade the team by position.

Forwards: C

Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno have been nothing short of incredible and have certainly earned their places in the All-Star game. Scott Hartnell has played well and posted a respectable 28 points in 40 games, but it's all downhill after that. Cam Atkinson has just 15 points in 41 games, yet is the team's 4th leading scorer up front. Matt Calvert has 12 points in 36 games, Jack Skille has seven in 36, and Jared Boll continues to play despite having two points in 42 games, and doing little else aside from taking bad penalties. Brandon Dubinsky, Boone Jenner, and Artem Anisimov, among others, haven't been healthy, which obviously plays a big part in the team's offensive struggles, but you need guys to step up and that hasn't happened.

Defense: D+

As much as scoring has been an issue beyond Columbus' big-three, the defense has been worse. The Blue Jackets have struggled in possession all season long and get crushed in the shot department on a nightly basis. The Jackets are allowing 33 shots per game - 4th most in the NHL - and have way too many breakdowns in their own zone. James Wisniewski has been very good and Kevin Connauton has played some good hockey since being claimed off waivers, but beyond those two I would say the rest of the defense has struggled for a good portion of the season.

Goaltending: B

Given the amount of shots and chances the Blue Jackets give up on a nightly basis, I'd say the goaltending has been pretty good. Curtis McElhinney struggled early, but has been a little better of late, while Sergei Bobrovsky has given Columbus above average goaltending this year. His .913SV% won't wow anyone, but prior to a recent rough patch he was sitting around .920 on the season. Columbus' lack of success certainly isn't on him.

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