Blue Jackets expect intense competition in camp with too many players, too few spots
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Every NHL training camp has its share of drama and competition, but it’s difficult to remember a recent Columbus Blue Jackets camp that has promised such a mixture of optimism and uncertainty as the one that starts in less than two weeks.
Optimism: The Blue Jackets have a new veteran coach (Mike Babcock), a pair of new veteran defensemen (Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson) and a future No. 1 center (Adam Fantilli) to add to a roster with high-end offensive talent like Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine and a cluster of young talent.
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Uncertainty: There are at least 17 forwards and 10 defensemen who will open training camp with what they feel is a reasonable expectation to earn a spot on the Blue Jackets’ 23-man roster. Add two goaltenders to the mix and the math (17+10+2=29) simply doesn’t work.
This may be a headache for GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who has been trying to swing a multi-player trade (or two) all offseason. But it’s nothing but smiles for Babcock, who brings new eyes to the organization and is thrilled by the ready-made competition for spots.
Let’s be clear — it’s not that the Blue Jackets are overwhelmed by bona fide NHL studs. They had the second-worst record in the league last season, losing a franchise-record 48 games in regulation. There’s still an enormous amount of growth and development ahead in Columbus.
“I basically don’t have an opinion on these guys I’m going to watch,” Babcock said. “They get a chance to decide who plays on the power play, who gets the minutes, who plays with who, etc.
“The (general) manager has to worry about contracts; I don’t. I’m just going to watch, share what I think, and we’ll go from there. The best thing about camp is that it goes long enough that it’s hard to slip by.”
The Blue Jackets will have a lot to sort through on both ends of the ice. The process starts later this week when the prospects head to Traverse City, Mich., for the annual prospects tournament.
But the tough decisions will start when training camp opens on Sept. 20, with the first on-ice session slated for the following day in Nationwide Arena. The preseason games begin with two split-quad games versus Pittsburgh on Sept. 24, and Babcock has said that the preseason games will carry more weight this season because of the uncertainty.
Expect surprises. But here’s how we view the roster battles heading into camp:
Forward
There are two major additions to the roster this summer, and those additions could spawn all sorts of adjustments throughout the lineup.
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By drafting Fantilli with the No. 3 pick in June, and by signing Dmitri Voronkov away from the KHL, the Blue Jackets could transform their center ice depth chart. Fantilli looks the part of a franchise center, while Voronkov projects as a rugged third-liner.
Babcock has said he wants “two 200-foot players” on each line, and he’s excited about the prospects of having multiple players able to play center and take faceoffs. But Blue Jackets fans should prepare to see forward lines with combinations they’ve never previously considered.
Here’s how we see it as of today:
Roster locks (9)
Johnny Gaudreau: The huge free-agent signing last summer had a decent first season in Columbus — 21-53-74 — but he’s capable of so much more if the Blue Jackets find the right linemates.
Patrik Laine: There’s a real buzz about Laine this offseason. He hasn’t yet put together an entire season since his trade to the Blue Jackets, but he’s shown extra motivation to change that.
Boone Jenner: The heartbeat of the club. Babcock will come to appreciate his consistency and reliability, just like every previous coach.
Kent Johnson: He’s still figuring out the league and had 16-24-40 last season as an undersized winger. He’s a point-a-game talent in the coming seasons.
Sean Kuraly: Nobody is more motivated to turn around the franchise than Kuraly, a Columbus native. He’s a bottom-six stalwart who takes big draws and kills penalties.
Adam Fantilli: Yep, we’re saying it. The soon-to-be 19-year-old is a roster lock because he’s already the most skilled center on the roster. He’ll be handled with care, but no way he’s not NHL-ready.
Kirill Marchenko: He’ll need a solid camp to stay here, but his 21 goals in 59 games as a rookie opened a lot of eyes. He worked better with Gaudreau than Laine did.
Alexandre Texier: After a year in Europe, Texier is back and it’ll be fascinating to see where he fits. A complimentary player in the top six? Third line? He’s a versatile player.
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Jack Roslovic: It’s unclear where Roslovic fits — top six? Third line? Center or wing? — But he’s the third-highest-paid forward ($4 million salary cap) on the roster.
Strong candidates (5)
Cole Sillinger: He finished last season in the AHL and can return there without waivers. But with a bounce-back showing at camp, it would be hard to send him down again.
Dmitri Voronkov: His arrival from Russia has been highly anticipated, but there could be an adjustment to North American-style of play. His contract allows him to return to Russia if he’s not in Columbus at the end of December, so expect him to get a shot.
Eric Robinson: There will be tough choices on the fourth line, but Robinson has a one-way contract worth $1.6 million. Fair or not, that gives him an edge over others.
Justin Danforth: Lost most of last season to a shoulder injury, but he’s a valued player within the organization … even if he’s still unknown to the rest of the NHL.
Mathieu Olivier: The resident pugilist. He might not dress every game, but he has a one-way contract and the Blue Jackets like having that element in their lineup.
In the running (3)
Yegor Chinakhov: Can still be sent to the minors without waivers, so he’ll have to outplay several others to earn a roster spot. Don’t rule that out.
Liam Foudy: The Blue Jackets kept Foudy in Columbus last season rather than risk losing him on waivers. He awakened at the end of the season, creating optimism.
Emil Bemstrom: This will be his fifth season in Columbus, but it’s never been this big a challenge for him to get ice time.
Zach Werenski passes the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes in October 2022. (James Guillory / USA Today)Defense
The Blue Jackets’ defense, meanwhile, will look radically differently after the offseason acquisition of veterans Severson and Provorov, not to mention the return to health of No. 1 defenseman Zach Werenski, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury.
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Provorov (left shot) and Severson (right shot) could form their own pair. Or maybe Severson plays with Werenski on the top pair? How they’ll align remains to be seen, but the Blue Jackets suddenly have a crowded blue line.
Roster locks (5)
Zach Werenski: He’s always been a highly regarded player, a bona fide No. 1. But his absence last season really proved his importance to the franchise.
Damon Severson: The trade acquisition from New Jersey could end up on the top pair with Werenski. But no matter his partner, he’ll play major minutes in the next few years with Columbus.
Ivan Provorov: After a couple of tough seasons in Philadelphia, the Blue Jackets expect him to bounce back in a big way. Will see plenty of ice under Babcock.
Adam Boqvist: Just turned 23, so still developing. May have the most accurate shot on the blue line and could be part of the second power play.
Erik Gudbranson: A physical presence on the third pair and a veteran presence in the dressing room. Babcock loves having guys like this around to lean on.
Strong candidates (4)
David Jiricek: The No. 6 pick in 2022, Jiricek had a strong rookie season in the AHL. There’s no hurry for him to play in the NHL, but he will likely be a difficult cut.
Jake Bean: Missed all but 14 games last season with a shoulder injury. On a team full of right shots, he could be the third-pair lefty with Gudbranson.
Nick Blankenburg: Often provides a spark, so it’s tempting to find him a spot. But he can also go to the AHL without waivers, so that’s an option.
Andrew Peeke: He’s played more games than any other defensemen in Columbus the past two seasons, but it’s a different landscape around him now.
In the running (1)
Jake Christiansen: So far, his offensive talents have only shown at the AHL level, but he’ll get a new look under a new coach.
(Top photo of Yegor Chinakhov: Ben Jackson / NHLI via Getty Images)
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