Looking At The Devils Competition in the Metropolitan Division

Columbus Blue Jackets

Feb 27, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing

(68) skates with the puck while being defended by Columbus Blue Jackets center

(42) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Season Stats: 43-32-7, 93 points & 4th in Metropolitan Division

Key Additions: F Brian Gibbons, F Scott Hartnell

Key Subtractions: F Blake Comeau, F Derek MacKenzie, D Nikita Nikitin, D Nick Schultz, F Jack Skille, F R.J. Umberger

What to Expect: Sneaking into the playoffs last season as a wild card team, Columbus gave the mighty Pittsburgh Penguins quite a scare in the first round. Unable to beat their Division foe in the series, the Blue Jackets season ended, but it did show their fans, along with other teams in the Division, that they can be some fierce competition in the future. Columbus lost some of its players from last season, but with a young talented core and some nice additions, Columbus can look to build upon last season’s success. Expect for Columbus to be hovering around the top of the division for this coming season throughout the year.

Prediction: 2nd in the Metropolitan Division