Predicting the Special Teams Units
As training camp kicks off in Columbus, the Blue Jackets look to weed through nearly 70 camp invitees in search of filling out a roster of 23. Nearly all of the roster is easily predictable, except for maybe some depth spots – or who might start the season off as a healthy scratch. We released our roster preview on Tuesday, with the only real surprise being Yegor Chinakhov starting the season in the AHL. Today, let’s take a look at how the team’s special teams units might shake out.
PP 1
Jenner
Laine – Voracek – Gaudreau
Werenski
This unit is pretty cut and dry, in my opinion. Patrik Laine is the team’s one-timer option on the left side, and he is one of the best in the world. If he can get 30 clean looks from that left circle, he’s capable of scoring 25+ times. Zach Werenski returns as the team’s top defenseman – and best power-play quarterback. He’s a very good shooter as well, but is most effective with a quick wrist shot through traffic. That traffic will likely be created by captain and net-front presence Boone Jenner, who scored 8 times on the man advantage last year – more than any other returning player.
This power-play unit likely lives and dies on the shoulders of newcomer Johnny Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets hope that Gaudreau will be the cog that finally makes this team’s power-play wheel turn. He’s more than capable, with 171 points on the man advantage for his career. His arrival means that Jakub Voracek might be passing from somewhere other than the half wall – perhaps along the goal line, or acting as the bumper from the high slot. Voracek had 23 power-play assists last year – a full 13 ahead of any other Blue Jacket. If the two can switch off and move around, it could confuse opposing PK units … which is something this team has lacked for years.
PP 2
Sillinger
Roslovic – Nyquist – Johnson
Boqvist
Defenseman Adam Boqvist quarterbacks the second unit, though on a lot of teams I feel like he could be a #1 unit guy. He’s great off the rush, oftentimes playing the game like an extra forward; and is equally capable of throwing a dangerous pass or a hard shot on goal. 19 year old Cole Sillinger becomes the net-front presence for this group. He has the size and quick hands, as well as a nasty shot if he drops out and finds space. Putting Jack Roslovic on this unit ensures that the Blue Jackets have a faceoff option for either side of the ice – and he also adds some smooth hands and a quick shot to this group.
Rookie Kent Johnson plays on the half wall for the second unit. With his skill and ability to hang onto the puck for that extra second, it’s easy to see play generally running through him. One thing I don’t think teams are expecting is his shot, which could make him an immediate, lethal threat with the extra man. Veteran Gustav Nyquist has the very enviable task of playing as a leader on this talented young unit. Like Roslovic and Johnson, he can both pass and shoot the puck well, which should give this group plenty of options and different looks.
The only issue I have with these units, is that I can’t find a place to put Kirill Marchenko right away … could he be on one of them by season’s end? Does Yegor Chinakhov earn PP time if he gets called up, due to his shooting ability?
PK 1
Kuraly – Robinson
Gavrikov – Gudbranson
Checking line center Sean Kuraly is a fantastic penalty killer; he has size, speed, blocks shots, wins faceoffs, and can kill clock because he’ll win battles in the corners. He’s joined by linemate Eric Robinson, whose speed makes him effective in the defensive zone, and dangerous shorthanded. I have little doubt that these two will frustrate opposing power-play units on a regular basis because they’re both big and fast, and they work well together.
Vladislav Gavrikov is the team’s best stay-at-home defenseman, and his play will be vital to the success of their PK this season. He has strong gap control, blocks shots, and can clear the way for goaltenders to see the puck. I think he’ll be joined by newcomer Erik Gudbranson because he can help mask some of Erik’s shortcomings. Gudbranson is signed here to be a mean, take-no-prisoners in front of the net defenseman; pairing him with Vlad here means that they can keep things simple and not try to do too much. Just be physical, block shots, and clear pucks.
PK 2
Jenner – Danforth
Werenski – Peeke
Captain Boone Jenner appears on the penalty kill, leading the charge on the team’s second unit. While not the best skater in the world, Boone wins faceoffs, plays hard in the corners, and keeps his body in the shot lanes. Putting Justin Danforth opposite means you add speed and a touch of skill to this unit. Danforth is a hockey veteran whose motor turns all the time – I could see him emerging as a terrific penalty killer and a serious shorthanded threat because of his finishing ability.
Zach Werenski is probably not best suited in this PK role, but even with his shortcomings defensively, he’s one of the team’s best options. This is the one area of Zach’s game that I would love to see improvement on; we know he can score and chip in offensively, but if he could lock down his defensive zone play, we’d have a truly elite defenseman here. And probably an extra handful of points in the standings. I have Andrew Peeke joining him here; he’s probably the second best pure defender on the team. He led the team in blocked shots last season and returns this year stronger, with an eye towards becoming more physical and better defensively. Improved play from Peeke could mean a ton to this team’s overall defensive output – especially on the PK.
The PK units might cripple this team if an injury occurs to one of these players, they’re simply short on defensive minded players. Imagine Jenner struggling with another back injury … who becomes the center on that second unit? Defensively, the situation might even be worse; do we really want Jake Bean or Adam Boqvist on one of these units again?
In all, I do think the the team will see improvement from both the power-play, and penalty kill units this season. They’ve added key pieces that should be able to help on both sides of things. If that first power-play unit clicks, they could be one of the top units in the entire league. There’s some serious talent here, and it’s a refreshing change from recent years. Good teams can become great teams on the back of strong special teams play – if they can find success in these situations, this team will be dangerous. Read: Five Bold Predictions for the 2022-23 Season