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4 Columbus Blue Jackets to Watch in the 2018 Preseason Opener

By Lansing Murphy

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 23: Vitaly Abramov #79 of the Columbus Blue Jackets advances the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during a preseason game at the United Center on September 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blue Jackets defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 23: Vitaly Abramov #79 of the Columbus Blue Jackets advances the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during a preseason game at the United Center on September 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blue Jackets defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Dean Kukan

Columbus Blue Jackets
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 16: Dean Kukan /

The most interesting roster decision the Columbus Blue Jackets have to make in my opinion is who will be the team’s 6th defenseman this year. After loosing both Ian Cole and Jack Johnson in the offseason, the Jackets are presumably looking for a defenseman to play alongside of David Savard this season.

Dean Kukan will get the first crack at becoming the Jackets 6th man on the blue line this year as he is slated to be Savard’s partner tonight. Kukan, along with Gabriel Carlsson and Scott Harrington, are the favorites to nab the last spot.

The team just signed Kukan to a one-way deal last season which gives him a contractual advantage over Carlsson and he has a skill advantage over Harrington in his appearances last year. If he can play well alongside Savard tonight and start to show a chemistry brewing between the two, we may have just found the team’s newest 6th defenseman.

Next. CBJ vs Buffalo Preseason Preview. dark

Tonight’s game is going to be a must watch not only because it’s the return of the Jackets finally, but there are important position battles that will play out over the next two weeks. There are other interesting players to look for tonight but these four and their play will give us a good look at what the team could look like on October 4th.

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