HOCKEY'S HERE: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

It's time to air out your gear, sharpen your skates and tape your stick -- it's hockey season. Sure, your team flat-out ached last season, but there's hope, unless you're an Islanders fan. In that spirit, Out of Left Field offers looks at all 30 NHL teams. Presenting: The Columbus Blue Jackets.

Last season: 74 points, 4th in Central Division, missed playoffs
Coach: Gerard Gallant (for now)
Young gun not named Nash: Gilbert Brule
Store this name away: Geoff Platt
Hey, get a load of the new guys: Freddy Modin
Blogs (including but not limited to): Jackets Required, Army of the Ohio, Death Cab for Woody
Pop culture moment: Damn, you got me there

CBJ is only a couple letters removed from CGBG, the New York City club that was the birthplace of American punk music, but that doesn't mean the Jackets have any street cred, or are in any way particularly threatening to the soccer-mom crowd.

This is the CBJ's sixth season in the league, and I have to confess I have never seen them play on TV, nor have I heard anyone ever talk about "that Columbus game" they watched the night before. If The Hockey News can be believed, that's going to change this spring, since it's picked the CBJ to capture the final West playoff spot. Columbus did, after all, play above .500 after getting off to a terrible start last season (just nine wins in their first 35 games).

Much will depend on whether ex-Halifax Mooseheads star Pascal Leclaire is up to playing 60-65 games after being since-traded Marc Denis' backup in '05-06. A better question might be how well the 23-year-old will hold up playing behind Columbus' suspect defence.

Nineteen-year-old Gilbert Brule, last seen leading the Vancouver Giants to a Memorial Cup appearance, is expected to stick with the big club.

If nothing else, the Jackets are at least going to score more than in '05-06 (when their 223 goals was the fourth-lowest total in the league). Pencil the CBJ in to take a serious stab at a playoff berth, but ultimately come up just short.

Also in Central Division: Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues

Back with more later. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca