Columbus Blue Jackets 2017 Projected Lineup: Michael Mallory Edition
The Columbus Blue Jackets did not have too many departures, but there are still many different lineup questions.
The Union and Blue staff is continuing projecting our opening day lineups for the Columbus Blue Jackets. In July Will Espy took an ambitious shot at what he things the roster will look like and speculated on some offseason moves.
As the prospect tournament in Traverse is about to start, I will take my best stab at the roster I think will be rolled out on October 6th. We will take another look at the roster after the tournament and again right after training camp.
Related Story: Will Espy's 2017 Projected Lineup
Forwards
The Columbus Blue Jackets added an offensive juggernaut in Artemi Panarin. Panarin adds fire power to Columbus, but this brings up the question of who Artemi is going to play with. The certain fact is that Alexander Wennberg will be manning the middle with Panarin on the wing. The other wing is up for grabs.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Artemi Panarin and Alexander Wennberg could be paired with a speedster in Cam Atkinson or more grit in Boone Jenner or Nick Foligno. My guess is that the Columbus Blue Jackets first line starts with Wennberg, Panarin, and Atkinson. This could be one of the most formidable lines in the NHL.
On the second line, the Columbus Blue Jackets will have Brandon Dubinsky will be manning the middle. The wings will be made up of Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno. This will be a gritty line with these three, but Foligno and Jenner both have a touch of scoring. This line will add a necessary secondary punch.
This brings up the next question of Pierre Luc Dubois. Pierre Luc Dubois will have the opportunity in camp to center the third line. Dubois is still young, but it is not guaranteed to him. On his wing, Josh Anderson and Oliver Bjorkstand will be the two that look to slot in. Anderson adds grit to the line while Bjrokstrand adds scoring to the third line.
With the fourth line, Lukas Sedlak will draw in at center with Matt Calvert and either Markus Hannikainen or Sonny Milano. My guess is that Hannaikainen fills into the fourth line. Markus fits in better on the fourth line than Milano.
Defense
The Columbus Blue Jackets defense is the deepest it has been in recent years. The first defensive pairing is Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. Jones is coming into his own right as a top pairing d-man and Werenski is coming off a truly remarkable rookie season. Both of these young defensemen shore up the Blue Jackets blue line while adding a scoring punch. Both Jones and Werenski tallied more than 40 points last season.
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While Jones and Werenski are a sure-fire first pair, the Columbus Blue Jackets second pairing of Jack Johnson and David Savard is as steady as they come. Johnson and Savard have a feeling for each others’ game. This partnership works and both players know how to play off of each other which leads to few mistakes.
On the third pairing, there is a question mark comes with who plays with Ryan Murray. Murray is a good young defenseman. He has not lived up to his draft hype, but he is a formidable defender. Murray could be paired with Gabriel Carlsson, Markus Nutivaara, and Scott Harrington. My prediction is after his year last year, that Markus Nutivaara will draw in with Harrington as the 7th defenseman.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will have a formidable defense with two young top pairing defensemen in Jones and Werenski. The second pair will be steady with Johnson and Savard’s chemistry. Lastly, the third pair with Murray and Nutivaara will be able to hold their own.
Goalie
Columbus truly does not have any questions in net. Sergei Bobrovsky will be the main man in net coming off his second Vezina trophy. Bob will be the man for the Blue Jackets with that not changing for years to come. Bobrovsky will win more games for the Jackets than he gives away.
Backing up Sergei Bobrovsky will be Joonas Korpisalo. Korpi has earned this spot with his play and the Columbus Blue Jackets showed their commitment to Korpisalo when they traded Anton Forsberg to Chicago as a part of the Blue Jackets trade for Artemi Panarin.
The Blue Jackets netminding will be a bright spot for the union and blue. Bobrovsky was able to play in 63 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but Korpisalo will be a viable back up when Bobrovsky needs a rest.
Overall
Artemi Panarin – Alexander Wennberg – Cam Atkinson
Boone Jenner – Brandon Dubinsky – Nick Foligno
Josh Anderson – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Oliver Bjorkstrand
Markus Hannikainen – Lukas Sedlak – Matt Calvert
Seth Jones – Zach Werenski
Jack Johnson – David Savard
Ryan Murray – Markus Nutivaara
Sergei Bobrovsky
Joonas Korpisalo
The Columbus Blue Jackets are coming off a record setting season, and they look to improve offensively. While the offense improves, the defense is going to one of the top groups in the NHL lead by two of the NHL’s top young defensemen. The Blue Jackets are also back stopped by one of the top if not top goalie in the league. The Blue Jackets ceiling is higher than it ever has been and will continue to rise.