What to watch for the Blue Jackets in 2019

Sure, we're a week into 2019, but it's still a good time to take stock of where things are for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The team has reached the midway point of its schedule with 24 wins in the first 41 games, and the opening game of the second half against NHL-leading Tampa Bay gives the team a chance to earn a boost of confidence.
So what should Jackets fans look forward to and keep their eye on over the coming months?

The development of Pierre-Luc Dubois.Just 20 years old, Dubois is already the team's best center and could push to become one of the best in the entire NHL over the coming years. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Dubois centers the CBJ's top line and has helped drive its play, using his strength and skill to serve as the ideal pivot between Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson. Finding a No. 1 center in this league can be tough, but in Dubois, the Blue Jackets appear to have one for years to come.
Playoff potential.With Columbus battling Washington, Pittsburgh and the New York Islanders atop the Metropolitan Division, the Blue Jackets are on pace to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third year in a row. After losing to the eventual Cup winners the past two seasons, will this be the year the Blue Jackets finally capture a playoff series?
CannonBall is coming.The CBJ Foundation's No. 1 fundraiser of the year, presented by presented by American Eagle Mortgage and Bartha, will take place next Wednesday at Express Live. With a 1980s theme, the event featuring Blue Jackets players and staffers is one of the top events of the year on the calendar in Columbus.
Will Seth Jones win the Norris Trophy?The Blue Jackets defenseman was fourth in the voting for the award that goes to the league's top D-man, and he could finish even higher this year. One of the best two-way defensemen in the league, Jones has developed into an elite playmaker who can control a game in all 200 feet of the ice - and could be recognized accordingly.
Seth and Cam at the All-Star Game.Atkinson and Jones will each play in the Honda NHL All-Star Game for the second time when it's held later this month in San Jose. The two helped the Metropolitan Division to the all-star title two years ago and could do the same thing this time around.
What records will fall?A number of team marks could go by the wayside this year. Columbus is on pace for 270 goals, which would break the previous mark of 247 set two seasons ago. In addition, Panarin is on pace for 90 points, which would break his own record of 82 set a year ago. Jones (37 goals) and Werenski (36) also are on pace to set the franchise record for career goals by a defenseman, which is 41 by Rostislav Klesla. Atkinson, who had 24 goals in the first half, could also top the franchise mark for goals in a year, which was set in 2003-04 when Rick Nash had 41.
Atkinson's march up the charts.Atkinson won't catch Rick Nash for many of the franchise's top marks in 2019, but he's slowly but surely moving up the charts. Atkinson now has a 169-146-315 line in his career, while Nash is at 289-258-547. So yeah, Atkinson has a ways to go, but a strong second half would continue to give him a chance to eventually catch Nash given he's signed through 2024-25.
What happens at the deadline?When the late February trade deadline comes, Columbus should be in an interesting spot. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has shown the ability to make big deadline moves, including deals last year that brought in Thomas Vanek, Mark Letestu and Ian Cole. With the Blue Jackets again in the race, there will be a ton of interest in what Columbus does, and that's even before the contract status of Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky come into play.
Who makes the next breakthrough?Eric Robinson has currently received a call-up from the Blue Jackets, as the first-year pro from Princeton made his season debut Saturday night. He leads a stable of young talent at the AHL level that includes Sonny Milano, Vitaly Abramov, Paul Bittner and Kole Sherwood. Columbus has had good injury luck this season losing only 25 man-games thus far, but any trades or injuries down the stretch could open up some opportunities for the above players or even veterans Zac Dalpe and Letestu.
As the goalie world turns.Columbus put together strong depth in the franchise's netminding depth chart below the NHL level. 2014 draft pick Elvis Merzlikins has continued to dominate in Switzerland and could be in Columbus as early as next season. 2018 pick Veini Vehviläinen has been even better in Finland at age 21, and Daniil Tarasov was on the Russian World Juniors team. The Jackets have depth worth watching.
Which central Ohio prospect comes next?The NHL success of such players as Sean Kuraly and Kiefer Sherwood has put a spotlight on the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets and the young talent coming out of the Columbus area. The ranks could keep growing, as well, given the infrastructure and coaching in the area. The central Ohio pipeline to the college and pro ranks should continue to keep growing.