from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,
Columbus is a hockey city now and the Jackets are an organization being viewed in a completely different light around the NHL. The enthusiasm was undeniable during their recent playoff run, when fans turned Nationwide Arena into the loudest building this side of the Bell Centre for a first-round series with Pittsburgh.
Remember that this is a team with just two playoff wins to show for its first 14 years in the league — both of them coming in April. To label the Jackets’ existence a test of patience would be an understatement.
However, they’ve also shown themselves to be survivors. They overcame the Carter fiasco and the subsequent departure of captain Rick Nash and were transformed into a team on the rise in relatively short order.
With Kekalainen now running the show along with president John Davidson, there is promise throughout a lineup that was once more of a punchline. In goal you have Sergei Bobrovsky, a Vezina Trophy winner not yet in his prime. There is centre Ryan Johansen, a 33-goal man at age 21, and future stalwart defenceman Ryan Murray and a roster full of underrated contributors.
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