"We have been good the last couple of years, but this feels like the deepest team in my tenure. Not only are the core guys approaching their prime but we have brought up young weapons that have allowed us to acquire more depth that is required for a deep playoff run"

In the offseason, Columbus acquired Valeri Nichuskin, Drew Commesso and brought back Ben Lovejoy and Alex Iafallo while moving on from Janne Tolvanen, Jack Drury, Pavel Francouz and Bode Wilde. It was a small changing of guard as young recent 1st rounders Cutter Gauthier, Fabian Lysell and Braeden Schneider have all made their debuts to start the season.

It has proved early dividends, with Gauthier and Lysell playing alongside top C Nico Hischier and recording 5 points each through the first 6 games, with the Jackets starting off 4-1-1. 

" We didn't expect the impact to be instant but they have been ready to play and adapted well, Poulin has been solid in goal and youngster Commesso will have a great mentor to learn from and support"

The only slow start thus far has been Dahlin and Gardiner, with GM Moriarty tinkering with the defence pairings in the Jackets next game against Colorado on Thursday.