Blue Jackets making a legitimate run in playoffs.

 I have to agree on the "couple right moves" part, plus the return of Steve Mason to his form of two years ago, a coach who can help elevate the play of the young players on the 3rd & 4th lines, and an improvement on the power play & penalty kill units.  Hey, I like the words Columbus and playoffs in the same sentence.

Does the BJ Nation have to take an attitude of: we're young, get into the playoffs and get some experience - we'll make "our" run in a few years.

It seems that Chicago took a similar approach - our team is young, let them get experience and make a run after they have played together for a few years ... it looks like it might lead to a Cup, this season.

Seems to me we have a number of "minor league" players who are about to blossem. I guess I can't expect them all to bloom next year BUT I think the CBJ time "is a coming"

When Mase returns to form, and he will, the CBJ will not only return to the playoffs but beat Nashville in Nashville. 

Let's be a bit realistic folks - this team is a LONG way from a cup.

First, Mason HAS to return to 2009 form, and that's a big question mark.

Second, this team is not deep enough currently.  Missing a top line center (Brassard is a 2nd line center), as well as depth on the 3rd and fourth line.  The defense also needs to be improved.

Third, this team's ownership and payroll situation is NOT to get all of these things through free agency, meaning they have to draft well.  They have NOT done that in the past (although the jury is out on Moore, as he may turn out very well).  The guys they draft this year and next year won't help for a couple more years at best.

The Blackhawks had a huge turnaround, but that took almost three to four years from drafting the initial studs.  In addition, they took on huge payroll through free agency that we can't.

I think the playoffs next year is definitely a possibility.  But if you are looking for advancement to the third or fourth round of the playoffs, I think three to four years is more realistic.

The Bluejackets can make a run AND with the players they have (filling the holes left by Torres, Modine and other vacancies). Everyone thinks we need a top center and top defenseman.  Yes, it would be nice but I think we have the horses already in the barn ie Springfield, including the new players coming up from juniors.  We may not have the team to win it all, but I think the playoffs are attainable. We just need our players to play to their ability. If that happens, the playoffs should not be out of the question.

Okay, let's look at it this way, if CBJ were to make the playoffs, who do you see them being better than or who do you see NOT making the playoffs in the West? Arguably the Oilers are still a ways off from being a contender, will St Louis ever grow into the team everybody has been saying they would be? Was last year a case of lightning in a bottle for Phoenix, Doan isn't going to play like that forever will he? Nashville, there blueline is really good but can Trotzies lack of a neck and powerful jowls do it again? The Calgary FlamingLeafs, Toronto of the West? Which teams do you see us being better than?

Colorado and LA are legit, those two teams are serious contenders in the next 2 years if they continue to develop. Los Angeles could be scary good sooner than later, the forwards they have and the defensemen as well are going to be good for a long time. Colorado might slip a bit this season if Anderson doesn't play as well. Both those teams had tired goaltenders when it came to playoff time,otherwise they could have been better. I just wonder how much the Olympics affected things.

I'll bank on some team and player improvement and see where that falls at the end of next season. They just have to show me that the want it each and every night, regardless of who they play, who's injured, any winning/loosing streaks, etc. Just show me the effort, from the owners in the stands to the players on the ice.

Mason...it is all about Mason...

Everything else falls into place when the goaltending is at a high level.  The other team starts pressing and taking risks and you get more goals from their mistakes when your goaltender is what Mase was in the previous year. 

Nash scoring 50 wouldn't hurt.