The Columbus Blue Jackets only acquired Artemi Panarin less than a week ago but it may already be time to talk about the team in a different breath.
“To me, one of the more interesting teams in the league right now are Columbus,” said Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman during a radio hit on Calgary’s Sportnset 960. “I mean, they have basically said to everybody, ‘We are all-in for the next two years.’"
For a team that has yet to win a first round series, the thought of the team "going for it" may seem silly. The stars though are aligning for the Blue Jackets despite a tough division.
“We saw those three teams how competitive they were at the top of the Metro this year and boy, it’s going to be like that again.
“I think Columbus is out looking for one more scorer. I think they’re hanging around (Ilya) Kovalchuk. I think they’re going to try to see if they can get someone else, and then they’ll circle back on him.
“I think Columbus is sending a message that they’re going for the Stanley Cup in the next two years – big time.”
The Kovalchuk rumors are here to stay and with enough insiders talking about it, the Blue Jackets appear to be in the running.
As the team prepares for next season, it looks like the front office isn't content with being third in the division.
They want to go for it all.
