Union and Blue Staff Discuss the Columbus Blue Jackets Preseason

Jason-Scott Greenberg

Although they look like brothers, that is Josh Anderson and not Jason.

What Jacket has surprised you the most so far?

They player that has surprised me the most during the preseason has been Markus Nutivaara. He has put up points and gotten shots down low that has been very important from an offensive defenseman spending time on the back lines. I’m excited to see how Nutivaara does in his second season on the full-time roster.

Oliver Bjorkstrand also has seemed to have taken his game to another level. It’s something I’m hoping to see continue with Bjorkstrand projected to be on the second line this season.

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Conversely, who has been the most disappointing?

The player that has disappointed me the most has been Jonathan Davidsson. This is a guy management has been hyping up over the offseason. He is very skilled and fast, and while he’s been there and has had shot creation (which is important) he has struggled to bury anything meaningful so far in preseason. He’ll most likely be sent back to the SHL.

Another player who hasn’t looked up to snuff is Gabriel Carlsson. He has looked incredibly slow on the back end, which isn’t something you want to see.

What do you want to see from now until opening night from this team?

I’m hoping to see more from the offensive side. So far the most production the Jackets have seen is Oliver Bjorkstrand’s hat-trick. Aside from that, one goal a game is not going to cut it towards the regular season. Atkinson, Panarin and Bjorkstrand cannot carry the offense by themselves.

Same with the goaltenders letting up three plus goals per game. That needs to be cleaned up by opening night. We’ve seen it happen often in Bobrovsky’s tenure where the Jackets have given up almost three a night over a stretch of time throughout the season. Last night was a step in the right direction for both scoring and goaltending, but small ice and Hockeyville atmosphere distort the results a bit.

What are your predicted opening night lines and pairings?

Panarin-Dubois-Atkinson

Jenner-Wennberg-Bjorkstrand

Foligno-Dubinsky-Anderson

Duclair-Nash-Milano

Jones-Werenski

Savard-Nutivaara

Murray-Kukan

Bobrovsky

Korpisalo