As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2017-18, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction for what 2018-19 will hold.
What went wrong
Another season with dominant stretches for the Columbus Blue Jackets, another spring with disappointment in the playoffs.
In 2017-18, Seth Jones continued his ascent as one of the league's next shutdown defensemen (and earned some Norris Trophy love), goalie Sergei Bobrovsky turned it on when he needed to, and we saw a star turn from the Bread Man, Artemi Panarin.
Goal prevention was big for the Blue Jackets, and it had to be: Columbus simply didn't score enough to begin the season. Through their first 54 games, the Blue Jackets scored only 2.5 goals per game, ranking 29th in the NHL. Their power play was dreadful at times.
Both areas improved during the season's final two months, but weren't good enough to knock off the Washington Capitals in the first round -- in particular, Columbus had a hard time answering Washington's power play.
Panarin's 82 points were a revelation, but the next-closest forward was Pierre-Luc Dubois (48 points). In the playoffs, where Panarin shined yet again, that drop-off in production became even more apparent.
Keys to the offseason
1. Lock in Artemi Panarin, consider extensions for Zach Werenski and Sergei Bobrovsky.
Panarin landed with the Blue Jackets largely because the Chicago Blackhawks were looking for cost certainty: They knew the 26-year-old winger was due for a big payday soon. Panarin's next contract is going to be hefty, as he did himself a favor by dazzling in his debut season in Columbus (and had a productive postseason, too).
Panarin is set to hit unrestricted free agency next summer, and can sign a contract extension after July 1. This should unequivocally be the No. 1 priority for GM Jarmo Kekalainen. The cost will be high, but the player is worth it.
Meanwhile, there's no doubt the Blue Jackets see Werenski, 20, and Bobrovsky, 29, as centerpieces for the future. Werenski's entry-level contract expires after next season, and that's when Bobrovsky becomes a UFA. Kekalainen will likely consider erasing any doubt early, and settling all of these contract extensions over the summer.
2. Restock on D.
Columbus plays its two most talented young defensemen, Jones and Werenski, on the same pairing, and they're emerging as one of the best lockdown duos in the league. The top two is settled.
After that comes uncertainty. Jack Johnson, 31, becomes a UFA this summer, and needs a decent contract -- one that Columbus might not be willing to offer, especially with the cash it'll need to allocate to Panarin or other extensions. Ian Cole, a solid addition at the trade deadline, also enters free agency this summer. Ryan Murray, 24, is a restricted free agent. Kekalainen will need to shell out new contracts for those on the roster or look for outside reinforcements.
3. Acquire depth scoring.
The biggest deficiency for the Blue Jackets is center depth. That's one of the hardest things to acquire, especially on the free-agent market. Really, the Blue Jackets just need secondary scorers.
First, a decision must be made on Boone Jenner, a one-time 30-goal scorer who has slipped in production the past two seasons; he's hitting restricted free agency. Thomas Vanek, 34, needs a new contract, but likely won't find it in Columbus (unless it's a bargain). Yes, Kekalainen's to-do list is long this summer, but his team won't get over the playoff hump unless it has a better offensive supporting cast, and there are typically good players to be found to contribute depth scoring from the wing.
Realistic expectation for 2018-19
Assuming Panarin is back in the fold, a return trip to the playoffs is definitely feasible. Management must be encouraged by the development of Pierre-Luc Dubois, the overshadowed No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft class who seems to be finding his way (albeit a bit slower than the Nos. 1 and 2, Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine).
Bobrovsky continues to be an excellent regular-season goalie and may have shaken some of his playoff demons. Moreover, the power play can't be as bad as it was for stretches in 2017-18.
Depth scoring is our biggest concern here, and until secondary scorers step up (whoever they may be), we see the Blue Jackets following a similar trajectory in 2018-19: a very solid regular-season team that doesn't have enough oomph to make a run in the postseason.