Draft stock: Columbus has nine picks in the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, including two in the first round and seven in the first four rounds. If they land the top pick and add forward Connor Bedard, that will boost expectations even more after a trying season.
Little roster turnover: The Blue Jackets have a majority of their roster signed through next season with only six players not signed beyond 2022-23, including three regulars when healthy (Mathieu Olivier, Gavin Bayreuther, Alexandre Texier). Assuming they aren't ravaged with injuries like they were this season, the chemistry should be there.