3 Blue Jackets’ Takeaways From Their 2025 Preseason
T
The Hockey Writers
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The Columbus Blue Jackets kicked off their 2025 preseason with a mix of promising performances and areas needing improvement. Notably, the emergence of young stars like Cole Sillinger was a highlight. Sillinger's growth from last season has established him as a vital player in the team’s future, showcasing his improved scoring touch and playmaking abilities during the preseason games.
In addition to Sillinger, the presence of established players like Johnny Gaudreau has provided invaluable leadership on and off the ice. Gaudreau's experience has been instrumental in guiding the younger players and setting a competitive tone. His consistent performances reinforce his status as one of the top forwards in the league, and fans can expect him to be a pivotal figure as the season progresses.
The team also saw reliable performances from players like Elvis Merzlikins in goal. With his sharp reflexes and a solid preseason, Merzlikins is poised to help anchor the Blue Jackets defensively. The coaching staff emphasized the importance of building a strong foundation in preseason, and so far, they have seen positive results that could translate into regular-season success.
However, there are still areas for improvement. The Blue Jackets experienced occasional lapses in defense, which the coaching staff will undoubtedly address as they move closer to the regular season. Overall, these takeaways from the preseason highlight the potential of the Blue Jackets as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the 2025 NHL season.
In addition to Sillinger, the presence of established players like Johnny Gaudreau has provided invaluable leadership on and off the ice. Gaudreau's experience has been instrumental in guiding the younger players and setting a competitive tone. His consistent performances reinforce his status as one of the top forwards in the league, and fans can expect him to be a pivotal figure as the season progresses.
The team also saw reliable performances from players like Elvis Merzlikins in goal. With his sharp reflexes and a solid preseason, Merzlikins is poised to help anchor the Blue Jackets defensively. The coaching staff emphasized the importance of building a strong foundation in preseason, and so far, they have seen positive results that could translate into regular-season success.
However, there are still areas for improvement. The Blue Jackets experienced occasional lapses in defense, which the coaching staff will undoubtedly address as they move closer to the regular season. Overall, these takeaways from the preseason highlight the potential of the Blue Jackets as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the 2025 NHL season.