Blue Jackets bet big on their prospects

Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesIt’s not news that the Columbus Blue Jackets have some built-in disadvantages relative to other teams in the NHL, including some in the Metro Division. They don’t have the history and lore of an Original Six franchise. They are not located in a major market. Unlike other smaller cities like Winnipeg and Buffalo, there is just not much hockey history here prior to the arrival of the NHL team.

Since the installation of the hard salary cap in 2005, the playing field was leveled a bit. If the Jackets had cap space, they could outbid other teams for free agents looking to cash. Enter Adam Foote and Nathan Horton. Eventually, as the level of play…