Let's face it. We all need a break from Panarin-Gate.
So, here we are to ask:
Would an all-time Blue Jackets team beat the current Blue Jackets?
For a question this loaded, we need to set some guidelines:
- Both teams will consist of a relatively-full NHL roster: nine forwards, six defensemen, two goaltenders
- Any player that has ever played for at least one full season in a Blue Jackets jersey is eligible to be on the all-time roster (screw Jeff Carter)
- Each all-time player will be selected based on a specific season that they played for the Blue Jackets
- No all-time player can be on the Blue Jackets current roster
All-Time Team
FORWARDS:
First Line:
LW: 2008-2009 Rick Nash (40 goals, 39 assists, 79 points)
C: 2014-2015 Ryan Johansen (26 goals, 45 assists, 71 points)
RW: 2005-2006 David Vyborny (22 goals, 43 assists, 55 points)
Second Line:
LW: 2002-2003 Ray Whitney (24 goals, 52 assists, 76 points)
C: 2010-2011 R.J. Umberger (25 goals, 32 assists, 57 points)
RW: 2007-2008 Nikolai Zherdev (26 goals, 35 assists, 61 points)
Third Line:
LW: 2002-2003 Geoff Sanderson (34 goals, 33 assists, 67 points)
C: 2009-2010 Antoine Vermette (27 goals, 38 assists, 65 points)
RW: 2009-2010 Jakub Voracek (16 goals, 34 assists, 50 points)
DEFENSEMEN:
First Pairing:
LD: 2002-2003 Jaroslov Spacek (9 goals, 36 assists, 45 points)
RD: 2010-2011 Jamies Wisniewski (10 goals, 41 assists, 51 points)
Second Pairing:
LD: 2014-2015 Jack Johnson (8 goals, 32 assists, 40 points)
RD: 2006-2007 Ron Hainsey (9 goals, 25 assists, 34 points)
Third Pairing:
LD: 2008-2009 Fedor Tyutin (9 goals, 25 assists, 34 points)
RD: 2005-2006 Adam Foote (6 goals, 16 assists, 22 points)
GOALTENDERS:
Starter: 2008-2009 Steve Mason (33-20 record, .916 save %, 2.29 goals against average, ten shutouts)
Backup: 2002-2003 Marc Denis (27-41 record, .903 save %, 3.09 goals against average, five shutouts)
Current Team
(stats from 2017-2018 season)
FORWARDS:
First Line:
LW: Artemi Panarin (27 goals, 55 assists, 82 points)
C: Pierre Luc Dubois (20 goals, 28 assists, 48 points)
RW: Cam Atkinson (24 goals, 22 assists, 46 points)
Second Line:
LW: Boone Jenner (13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points)
C: Alexander Wennberg (8 goals, 27 assists, 35 points)
RW: Josh Anderson (19 goals, 11 assists, 30 points)
Third Line:
LW: Nick Foligno (15 goals, 18 assists, 33 points)
C: Riley Nash (15 goals, 26 assists, 41 points)
RW: Oliver Bjorkstrand (11 goals, 29 assists, 40 points)
DEFENSE:
First Pairing:
LD: Zach Werenski (16 goals, 21 assists, 37 points)
RD: Seth Jones (16 goals, 41 assists, 57 points)
Second Pairing:
LD: Ryan Murray (1 goal, 11 assists, 12 points)
RD: David Savard (4 goals, 12 assists, 16 points)
Third Pairing:
LD: Gabriel Carlsson (0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points)
RD: Markus Nutivaara (7 goals, 16 assists, 23 points)
GOALTENDING:
Starter:
Sergei Bobrovsky (65 GP, 37-22 record, .921 save %, 2.42 goals against average, five shutouts)
Backup:
Joonas Korpisalo (17 GP, 8-8 record, .897 save %, 3.32 goals against average, zero shutouts)
Now to stack up each position group against one another:
Offense advantage: All-Time Team
Overall, the all-time team clearly has the firepower, as they have 20-plus years to choose from of times where a player could've had one incredible standout season.
Though the first line matches up well, the depth of the current Jackets team can't compete with the all-time team. I mean, come on - Geoff Sanderson is on their third line. Legend.
Defense advantage: Even
Defensively, the Jackets have never been historically great. Adam Foote is typically a first thought when thinking of past "successful" Jackets defensemen, and he barely cracked 20 points with the club.
Though the current team has lost some depth this offseason, the top pairing of Jones and Werenski, two of the best in the league, would be enough to solidify the modern team locking things down better on the back end.
Goaltending advantage: Current Team
Steve Mason had a special year where him and Rick Nash completely carried the 2008-2009 Jackets to a first round sweep by the hand of the Detroit Red Wings, but even his ten-shutout year doesn't meet Bob's level this past season.
Sergei Bobrovsky is arguably the best Jacket of all time. Case closed.
If you got to watch these two teams play - who do you believe comes out on top?
Is there anyone missing from the All-Time Jackets team that would solidify their victory?
