theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.
Well stocked with young talent, the Columbus Blue Jackets will look to make the next step this season. The Blue Jackets had a quiet offseason, but will get an extended look at defenseman Seth Jones, who was acquired midseason in 2015-16. Here are three Blue Jackets to watch this season:
Nick Foligno
Captain Nick Foligno was a disappointment last year, finishing with just 37 points. It marked his lowest production since coming to Columbus in 2012, and only half the pace from the previous season, in which a 73-point campaign led to a six-year, $33-million extension.
Foligno is hoping to hit the refresh button this year, with the pressure of a new contract in the rearview mirror. Part of that rebound will depend on shots, as Foligno's shooting percentage fell to 8.1 percent last year, a career worst. He's due for a bounce back, and closer to the combined 49 goals he scored over the previous two seasons.
In looking to rediscover his offensive game, Foligno will have some added help up front, as the team infuses more of its young talent, particularly winger Oliver Bjorkstrand. The Danish winger made his NHL debut last season, scoring eight points in 12 games, and looks to build on that success this year.
Seth Jones
Acquired last January in exchange for young center Ryan Johansen, Seth Jones provides the Blue Jackets with a steady presence on the blue line.
Jones made noise through half a season with the Blue Jackets last year, scoring 20 points in 41 games, good for 0.49 points per game. That's an uptick from the 0.275 PPG he had through the first half of the year with Nashville.
Jones, 21, already has 240 games of NHL experience under his belt. The fourth overall pick from the 2013 draft is an emerging star making the most of his opportunity with the Blue Jackets. Since arriving in Columbus, Jones' ice time has climbed to 24:27, nearly a full five minutes more than the 19:38 he saw in Nashville.
Sergei Bobrovsky
Missing the majority of last season with a groin injury, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will see the bulk of work this season under head coach John Tortorella. A former Vezina Trophy winner, Bobrovsky is the Blue Jackets' key to success.
Bobrovsky posted a 15-19-1 record through 37 appearances last season, and should expect closer to 60 starts this year. He is capable of being a team's most valuable player, and that's likely a fair description of what is expected of him in Columbus.
The hope is that Bobrovsky carries forward his performance from the World Cup. As part of Team Russia, Bobrovksy was one of the tournament's top goaltenders, grabbing the crease ahead of Colorado's Semyon Varlamov, posting a .930 save percentage through four games.
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