Blue Jackets: A look at the Center of the Ice

The Columbus Blue Jackets are a team without a true number one center, but that does not mean the are lacking quality centers.

The Blue Jackets are without a number one center after trading franchise center Ryan Johansen last season to the Nashville Predators last year for defense-man Seth Jones. While Jones shores up the back end this trade has left a whole at the center position on the top line.

Brandon Dubinsky is a very talented player, but he is not what pops into someone’s midn when they think of a top line center, but that is what he will be this season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dubinsky is a reliable player that is not afraid to get into the dirty areas to put the puck in the net.

Dubinsky is the veteran of the bunch with Alexander Wennberg, and William Karlsson being the next two on the pecking order. Alexander Wennberg has improved steadily in his time with Columbus and will need to improve once again to help shore up the middle for the Blue Jackets.

While Wennberg is the more noticeably talented player, Karlsson is the more consistent player. Karlsson knows his role is to be in the bottom six of the line up and bring energy to the line up. Karlsson brings energy playing in close to the net on offense while not being afraid to lay a hit on the defensive end of the ice.

Joining Karlsson in the bottom six is veteran Gregory Campbell. Campbell is a player that like Karlsson brings energy to the line up. He is not afraid to stand up for a team up if it means fighting or laying a hit on an opponent. He is not the most talented offensively, but he is a good on the defensive end as a tough forechecking center.

Along with the four listed above, there is a wild card in the mix. Boone Jenner has played on the wing for most of his career, but he is also able to play center. The Blue Jackets have tried Jenner at center and he played well. Boone Jenner will have a huge impact with the Blue Jackets, but it is not quite known whether he will be played on the wing or at center.

With this players listed above none are your prototypical number one center, but the Columbus have centers that are tough on both ends of the ice and will patch the void left by trading Johansen. The club will have a hole, but it will not be as glaring as many thought.