Metro free agency: Blue Jackets boost defense through trades
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In his introductory press conference after being named Penguins director of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas explained how he evaluates his team against its opposition.
“I think that the major focus, No. 1, is inside our division. That’s the way I always looked at things,” Dubas said. “Rather than try to stack ourselves up against all 31 other teams, let’s focus on our division. Let’s focus on trying to win our division. We play the most games there. That’s what’s going to set our playoff seeding. We’ve got to be inside the top three to lock ourselves in, and our goal is going to be to win the division.”
Last season, the Penguins finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division, just two points behind the fourth-place New York Islanders but 16 points behind the New York Rangers, who held down the third guaranteed playoff spot behind Carolina and New Jersey.
How much has the division changed in the offseason? The Trib is offering a team-by-team look this week:
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets were essentially a non-entity with regard to free agency this offseason, but they were aggressive in trying to boost their defense through trades as they acquired Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson over a three-day span in June. Their most notable addition up front came through the draft as they selected University of Michigan forward Adam Fantilli with the third-overall pick. They also brought in a ballyhooed new coach: bench veteran Mike Babcock.
2023 finish: 25-48-9, 59 points, missed the playoffs
Key additions: Forward Adam Fantilli (36 NCAA games, 30 goals, 35 assists, 65 points), defenseman Ivan Provorov (82 games, six goals, 21 assists, 27 points), defenseman Damon Severson (81 games, seven goals, 26 assists, 33 points)
Key departure: Defenseman Gavin Bayreuther (51 games, two goals, 12 assists, 14 points)
What it means: Fantilli could be the first-line center the Blue Jackets have seemingly never had in their entire existence. Ideally, he will find a match with star wingers Johnny Gaudreau or Patrik Laine. On defense, Provorov and Severson won’t turn the Blue Jackets into contenders overnight, but they do ease the burden on top defenseman Zach Werenski.