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Zac Dalpe Deserves Another Shot With The Columbus Blue Jackets

By William Espy

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 11: Cleveland Monsters center Zac Dalpe (28) shoots the puck during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Manitoba Moose and Cleveland Monsters on February 11, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Manitoba 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 11: Cleveland Monsters center Zac Dalpe (28) shoots the puck during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Manitoba Moose and Cleveland Monsters on February 11, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Manitoba 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Columbus Blue Jackets have some instability on the fourth line, but Zac Dalpe could fill the gap.

The Columbus Blue Jackets fourth line is currently being centered by inconsistent two-way forward Lukas Sedlak. While Zac Dalpe’s scoring prowess in the AHL won’t be his main contribution at the NHL level, he’s definitely a better option than Sedlak.

Sedlak is currently pointless through five games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, while in the AHL Zac Dalpe has posted 6 goals and a total of 9 points in 7 games. On top of that, he’s also provided a solid amount of grit which is more familiar to those who have seen him at the NHL level.

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Dalpe has yet to prove that he can be a regular in the NHL, but he’s always been close to sticking. As of late, he’s become a top line scoring winger for Cleveland. Although he primarily plays on the wing, his ability to play center could be his best asset for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

A couple other options for the fourth line spot would include Mark Letestu, who’s now in his third stint with the Blue Jackets organization, and top prospect Kevin Stenlund.

Out of those three options, Letestu has the most experience in the bottom six at the NHL level. Stenlund has the highest ceiling for achieving at the NHL level, and Dalpe is somewhere in the middle of the two.

Letestu has recently found his footing at the AHL level, scoring two goals so far in four games. Stenlund missed some time with injury but has four points in five games, an even split of two goals and two assists. Zac Dalpe still remains the most impressive with his six goals and three assists for a total of nine points.

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Will Columbus stick with Sedlak despite his under-performance or will they give someone else a well earned chance?

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