It is official - The Columbus Blue Jackets have played their last game in the Western Conference's Central Division (for now, Bettman could send the Jackets back in a few years as his last move as Commissioner), capping off a miserable twelve seasons in what was arguably the most loaded division in the NHL. Of course, the CBJ put up their first winning record against their division foes this past season, going 9-6-4. So, we say goodbye and look ahead to our new neighbors and the rivalry potential.
The Jackets never established a truly hated rival. Columbus was always that little brother that people sometimes paid attention to, mostly because of how bad they were. Sure, Detroit was pegged as a "rival," but it was no Ohio State-Michigan. Red Wings fans are...how do I put this...Red Wings fans. They think because Gordie Howe played for them and they have been around since 1926 that they are inherently better than you as a fanbase and that you know nothing about hockey. They are kind of like the New York Yankees fans in baseball, except with an old, crappy arena that no one outside Detroit likes. We'll still see them as they are making the trek East with us, but less frequently as they'll be in the other division.
Chicago struggled much like Columbus did to start the 2000's. The Blackhawks hit lottery gold, however, and drafted All-Stars like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to build their franchise around. They won the Cup in 2010, and their arrogance level is just slightly below that of Detroit fans. The Jackets never seemed to play well against the Blackhawks, including four one-goal losses this past season. We will not miss Chicago fans invading Nationwide Arena a few times each season.
Goodbye to the St. Louis Blues, and thanks for letting us steal John Davidson from you! St. Louis was never really a rival. Looking back, the feeling is kind of "meh." Nothing too memorable about their fans or the matchups with them either. They have Hitch and Kris Russell, we got JD and Nikita Nikitin. Not really going to miss playing St. Louis as they are building into a contender year in and year out and should make some noise in the West for years to come.
Then there's Nashville. It was tough losing to Nashville so much because they are so similar to the Jackets. They are a small market team with a limited history. Predators fans think they are so much better than the Blue Jackets because they had TWO (!!) whole extra years of hockey before the CBJ. Big deal guys. I am sure the Jackets will not miss traveling to Nashville several times throughout the season, as the Jackets could never seemingly pull out a win there (until Bobrovsky!). It was always a pain to play the Preds. Goodbye, you will not be missed.
There it is, our official goodbye to the Central Division. Good riddance. We hate you. So, now the Jackets move from a division stacked with playoff contenders to...a division stacked with playoff contenders <shakes fist at Bettman>. And the best players in the league. This new division is part of the new Eastern Conference, but does not have an official name yet from the NHL. Just "Division D." Very creative, Mr. Bettman. I suggest "The Blue Jackets and All of Their Former Players Division." No? Ok. Let's meet our new divisional opponents:
Carolina Hurricanes:
Rivalry Potential: Minimal
Don't get me wrong, future road trips to North Carolina to watch some CBJ hockey sounds awesome. Most people do not realize the Hurricanes have won a Stanley Cup within the last ten years. That's how much they move the meter...or rather, don't move the meter. Cam Ward is their franchise goalie, and the rest of the roster appear to be the Staal brothers. Carolina has had a difficult time winning in Columbus since 2007. I can see the Hurricanes filling the void of the Blues - a solid franchise, but not really a rival.
New Jersey Devils:
Rivalry Potential: Low
<Insert Jersey Shore joke here> Is Martin Brodeur STILL their goalie? Most think the 40 year old net minder will retire, but he could always pull a Brett Favre. Their main rivalry is with the Rangers so I doubt adding a Midwest market team will rile up the fans of the Devils. New Jersey may be at the start of a rebuild, with a lot of veterans on the back ends of their careers. That is certainly saying something given the fact that they reached the Stanley Cup Finals last season.
New York/Brooklyn Islanders:
Rivalry Potential: Minimal
Remember when the Islanders offered Scott Howson their ENTIRE draft for the #2 pick in the 2012 Draft? That was almost a blockbuster trade, but Howson, I think rightly, drafted Ryan Murray and told the Islanders, "I don't need your stinking draft picks." It seems like the Isles have been a franchise in decline for as long as the Blue Jackets have been existence. Fan support seems to be waning. There is a glimmer of hope with Michael Grabner and John Tavares leading a young core of players. They seemingly have a never-ending stock of goalies over 35, so they may be in search of a franchise goaltender in a year or two. This will, of course, set them back five more years into oblivion. However, they are currently in the playoffs and the Jackets are not.
New York Rangers:
Rivalry Potential: Very Good
Oh, those New York Rangers. In case you have been living under a rock for the last twelve months, the Rangers picked up Rick Nash from Columbus in exchange for Arty, Dubi, Tim Erixon, and a first round pick this year. The Jackets returned a similar favor at the trade deadline, picking up Marian Gaborik for Derek Dorsett, Derrick Brassard, John Moore, and a sixth round pick. Fedor Tyutin was drafted by the Rangers and played there early in his career. Vinny Prospal used to be a Ranger. Anton Stralman was a Blue Jacket once upon a time. The Rangers have one of the best goalies in the league with Henrik Lundqvist. The Jackets have Bobrovsky. These teams will have a lot of familiarity with each other for the next few years. Should be fun - The New York Blue Jackets v.s. the Columbus Rangers.
Philadelphia Flyers:
Rivalry Potential: Moderate
Another new division foe who the Jackets have done business with recently. It started with the Jakub Voracek trade for Jeff Carter, which also allowed Philly to draft Sean Couturier with the Jackets first round pick in 2011. It continued last summer as Scott Howson acquired Sergei Bobrovsky for a second round pick and two fourth rounders. The Flyers decided Steve Mason was worth Michael Leighton AND a third round draft pick (what are they thinking?). Philly fans are notoriously tough, and Flyers fans are no different. They, like the Rangers, expect to be in the playoffs every year and compete for Stanley Cups. They took a step backwards this year but the Flyers will be a tough matchup going forward.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Rivalry Potential: What's Hotter Than Being Hot?
Separated by a mere three hours, Columbus and Pittsburgh could be on the verge of a budding new rivalry. These teams come from similar small markets. They both play in blue collar states and blue collar cities. While Pittsburgh was bottoming out and drafting guys like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Jackets were drafting Gilbert Brule and Nikita Filatov. These two teams could easily be flipped right now if not for a few ping pong ball bounces. Anyway...every game Pittsburgh has played in Nationwide Arena has been electric. Penguins fans travel, and their arrogance resembles that of Detroit or Chicago. Get used to it, they are a top team in the NHL right now, with two of the top three forwards in the game and a Stanley Cup just a few years back.
Washington Capitals:
Rivalry Potential: Modest
We see you, Chimer. The next five years will not be fun facing Washington, unless they trade away Alex Ovechkin. They struggled early this year, but managed to win their (weak) division and earn the three seed in the playoffs. The Capitals do not have a long history with many of the other teams in this new division, so Columbus could fill that void of rival. There isn't a long history between the two or lots of former teammates on opposing benches, so this potential rivalry might need a spark to get it going. We'll see, perhaps a few playoff series will do it?
There you have it, your new division. A lot of familar faces. The Jackets will face each team either five or six times each year. All are fairly reasonable road games to attend should you choose to go. In theory, the NHL will have a name for the division by the start of next year, but who knows with Gary Bettman.
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