We have not yet seen a major impact to the Blue Jackets roster this summer. Really, the only moves Don Waddell has made thus far, have been on the fringes, for the most part. This should signal a hint to the players who are already here: it's on you guys to take another step.
At this point, the early part of free agency is finished. The draft has taken place, and many of the league's general managers are likely headed for vacations. Of course, moves will still take place, as training camps are still more than two months away.
However, most of the jockeying is over. Now that summer is in full swing, it feels like the Blue Jackets are content running it back with mostly the same roster as last season. So, the message is clear: this organization believes in the players that were on the team last year, and they think they can get it done.
Two crafty vets are gone, one talented player enters the fold.
The Blue Jackets have bid farewell to two players who had vastly different effects on the organization. Out the door are captain Boone Jenner, who quietly served as this team's captain for the last several seasons.
His impact in Columbus is certainly well rooted and far reaching. He was long a fan favorite, who brought his lunch pail to work each and every night. For many years to come, we will see #38 jerseys lurking around Central Ohio.
Joining him is Mason Marchment, who did not have the long tenure that Boone did-but, he found a way to make a big impact. Mush skated on the top line for most of his time in Columbus, and like Jenner, his departure also leaves a gaping hole within the organization.
To fill that hole, Waddell and his staff are counting on veteran Valeri Nichushkin. When healthy, he's a vastly underrated scorer who might be an upgrade over Marchment on this team's top line. The problem: that health has combined with some personal off-ice issues, preventing him from truly emerging as an elite player in this league.
Adding him to the mix and walking away from two known entities is a big gamble. But, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this team could be better off for these moves in the immediate future.
Counting on the core.
The message has been sent to the core of this team: the only way the Blue Jackets are truly going to improve, is from within. Waddell is betting on players like Adam Fantilli and Denton Mateychuk to take another (larger) step. He's also betting on bounce-back seasons from Conor Garland, Kent Johnson, Dmitri Voronkov, and Sean Monahan.
This all depends on continued reliability from players like Charlie Coyle, Kirill Marchenko, Cole Sillinger, and Mathieu Olivier. All the while, they hope Jet Greaves can continue to perform as one of the best in the game-and that a full season of Rick Bowness can correct their defensive zone woes.
A lot of this team's plight depends on the coaching staff, in fact. That's the only place where the organization has made a massive overhaul. Joining Bowness is up-and-comer (and perhaps heir apparent) coach Trent Vogelhuber. The team is also rumored to be adding another man with Central Ohio ties to the mix, though nothing has been made official.
The only other changes to the roster have been for depth. Waddell signed veteran pest Ryan Lomberg, as well as journeyman defenseman Colton White, and journeyman goaltender Pheonix Copley. Otherwise, it's the same team as last season.
It's quite a gamble, but I honestly respect it. We have not seen this team have so much roster continuity over a three season run at any point in its history. This group got to 92 points last season, despite a lot of blown leads and a coaching change. I'm excited to see how far they can go with some stability next year.
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