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New York Islanders Metropolitan Division Free Agency Power Rankings

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Leo Komarov #47 of the New York Islanders backs into Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the Barclays Center on February 09, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Leo Komarov #47 of the New York Islanders backs into Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the Barclays Center on February 09, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – MAY 2: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets is spotlit before playing against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 2, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Columbus Blue Jackets

Ins: Gustav Nyquist
Outs: Matt Duchene, Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, J-F Berube, Keith Kinkaid, Mark Letestu

I feel for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They shot their shot by bringing in Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingle at the trade deadline. They were able to sweep the Tampa Bay Lightning, but couldn’t get through the Boston Bruins. And now it’s all coming crashing down.

In free agency, the Blue Jackets have already lost point-per-game winger Artemi Panarin to the New York Rangers. Top-line center and 30 goal scorer Matt Duchene is gone to the Nashville Predators. And two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky has left for the Florida Panthers and a massive $70 million payday.

And that doesn’t include the loss of backup Keith Kinkaid and defenseman Mark Letestu. Nor does it include the eventual loss of winger Ryan Dzingle.

Sure, the Blue Jackets were able to bring in free agency Gustav Nyquist. That’s a nice addition. And they still have players like Cam Atkinson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Zack Werenski, and Seth Jones. But they don’t have a top-line center or a starting goalie. Unless you count Joonas Korpisalo. I don’t.

Things look bleak for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They still have pieces, but they lost a ton of quality in this free agency period, Quality that you just can’t replace. Certainly not all at once.

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After three trips to the Stanley Cup playoffs in three seasons for the in franchise history, I don’t think the Columbus Blue Jackets will be back for the fourth time in a row. Unfortunately.

Again, I like what GM Jarmo Kekalainen did at the trade deadline. It was a bold strategy to go for it. But when you look at the team now you can’t help but ask: “Was it worth it?”

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