Columbus Blue Jackets is an ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Blue Jackets joined NHL in 2000 as an expansion team, along with Minnesota Wild. Columbus Blue Jackets is a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference.

Columbus Team History

Columbus Blue Jackets’ history is not very bright. They are still only team in NHL which has never appeared in the conference finals of the playoffs. First eight seasons (2000-08) of Columbus were extreme poor and Columbus did not qualify to the playoffs – they were not even near. After long waiting, Columbus reached the playoffs at season 2008-09 – but they lost in first round by Detroit Red Wings. In the season 2013-14 The Blue Jackets moved into the Eastern Conference after spending its first 13 seasons in the Western Conference. After that move, the Blue Jackets has been at playoffs four times, but they only have been won one series – 2018-19 they won Tampa Bay Lightning at the first round 4-0. That was shocking win, because Tampa Bay was that year one of the biggest favourites to win Stanley Cup.

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Owners and Staff

Currently, the General Manager of Columbus Blue Jackets is Jarmo Kekäläinen. The current head coach John Tortorella was appointed to his position in 2015. The team is owned by John P. McConnell. Columbus Blue Jackets has one minor league affiliate – Cleveland Monsters in AHL league.

Rick Nash – Face of the Columbus

Rick Nash was selected first overall in the 2002 NHL Draft by Columbus – he was targeted as a cornerstone of new franchise. Nash played 9 solid seasons with the Columbus, but he never met huge expectations that he got when he won Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy for most goals in the NHL at 19 years of age (2004). Rick Nash played 674 games with Columbus and he is still all-time leading scorer of Columbus with 547 (289+258) points. Rick Nash currently working as the special assistant to the general manager of Columbus Blue Jackets.

Sergei Bobrovsky – Goalie outside of the draft

Even Sergei Bobrovsky is two times Vezina Trophy winner, he was never drafted in NHL. He played his first four professional seasons with Metallurg Novokuznetsk in KHL. Bobrovsky signed his first NHL contract with Philadelphia Flyers 2010. Bobrovsky was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets 2012. Bobrovsky played 7 seasons with Columbus and was one of the key players of the team. Bobrovsky won Vezina Trophy twice as a best goalie of the regular season – first at season 2012-13 and then season 2016-17. Bobrovsky signed a seven-year, 70 million dollars contract with Florida Panthers 2019.