Gaudreau helps Blue Jackets' playoff chances, also need better defense

The Blue Jackets are back to work after medical evaluations Wednesday. It's the first training camp of the Johnny Gaudreau era. Excitement for this season skyrocketed in July following Gudreau's decision to pick Columbus and the Blue Jacket's re-signing of Patrik Laine.

Columbus Blue Jackets finished with 81 points in Brad Larsen's first season as coach. They are 19 points behind Washington Capitals, who claimed the Eastern Conference’s second wild card with 100 points.

The Blue Jackets finished at minus-38 in goal differential last season. They also set franchise records in goals scored and goals allowed. The team signed Johnny Gaudreau and Erik Gudbranson from Calgary Flames. The Blue Jacket missed the playoffs last year by 16 points. Dallas finished with 98 points and a goal difference of minus eight. Winnipeg Jets finished two spots lower in the same division with 89 points with a minus five differential.

Blue Jackets are looking for ways to improve their defensive play. They scored last year, but they also allowed a lot of goals. They need to focus on the intangibles and improve the structure. The biggest changes must happen between the ears of the skaters and between goalies. Kuraly believes they need more defensive players to be successful. He also believes that they have to defend as a group to win games.