Best Columbus Blue Jackets Future Bets For 2021

The Columbus Blue Jackets began their preseason with a 3-0 shutout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night. It was the first meeting between the two clubs since December of 2019, as the pandemic-related realignment kept them from playing each other last year.

At the risk of going overboard after one preseason game, there were some things we felt incredibly optimistic about coming out of Monday’s contest. Here are the top Columbus Blue Jackets futures bets for the 2021-22 season.

Blue Jackets to Make the Playoffs (+1100)

This one may come as a bit of a surprise given the roster turnover, but there are plenty of reasons to think Columbus can make the playoffs this season.

First, with new head coach Brad Larsen, the Blue Jackets should be playing a bit more up-tempo and offensive-minded system than they did under John Tortorella. This should be especially beneficial to winger Patrik Laine and Max Domi (once the latter returns from injury).

Bringing in Jakub Voráček will add a scoring punch to the top line as well. Voráček has scored 40 points in every season of his career outside of his rookie campaign (where he scored 38) and put up 60+ points in each of the last three full 82-game seasons.

Acting as a setup man (216 career goals, 522 career assists), Voráček’s playstyle should compliment Laine and Domi and lead to excellent offensive production.

Columbus’ blue line got an overhaul as well. With the disgruntled Seth Jones out of the way, hungry young guns like Adam Boqvist (part of the return for Jones) and Jake Bean (acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes) will play significant minutes at both ends of the ice.

Jackets fans should be particularly excited about Boqvist, especially if he continues to jump up in the play and find open ice as he did against Pittsburgh on Monday.

Beyond that, the Metropolitan Division is open for the taking. The Islanders are likely the regular-season division winners, but Washington and Carolina are vulnerable; in particular, the Hurricanes have two very injury-prone goaltenders and lost their best defenseman in Dougie Hamilton.

Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith are inconsistent in Pittsburgh, and the Rangers, Flyers, and Devils all have big question marks surrounding their rosters.

The Blue Jackets’ best chance to make the playoffs is to finish third in the division, and their roster is capable of that type of performance.

Zach Werenski to Win Norris Trophy (+2500)

This one is a bit trickier, as Zach Werenski doesn’t have individual odds listed as a Norris Trophy winner (instead, it’s under the field). However, Werenski has shown a ton of offensive upside early in his career, and the Blue Jackets rewarded him with a six-year, $57.5 million contract, making Werenski one of the highest-paid defensemen in the league.

Werenski is coming off of hernia surgery which ended his 2021 season, but he is healthy and ready to go for 2021-22. Likely paired with Boqvist on the top line and on the power play, Werenski can rack up a bunch of points this year but will also need to play a solid all-around game, as he is likely the best defensive defenseman on Columbus’ roster. 

Brad Larsen for Jack Adams (+6600)

This one is a tough bet as well, but if Columbus is able to make the playoffs this season, Larsen should garner serious Jack Adams consideration. However, there’s reason to be enthusiastic about his chances.

In the past ten seasons, four head coaches have won the Jack Adams Trophy in their first year with the team (Ken Hitchcock in 2011-12 with the Blues, Patrick Roy in 2013-14 with the Avalanche, Gerrard Gallant in 2017-18 with the Golden Knights, Barry Trotz in 2018-19 with the Islanders).

Larsen already has familiarity with Columbus’ players, having been an assistant coach since 2014, so there shouldn’t be many issues with trust and accountability either.

Beyond that, the value at +6600 doesn’t require a significant contribution to make a nice payday. Larsen for Jack Adams is a solid value play with a nice upside. His odds should only increase as the season progresses.