The Blue Jackets are loaded with depth up front. Now they need a scorer.
Now that Charlie Coyle is signed for the next six seasons, the Blue Jackets are pretty well set down the middle. How many times have we ever said that in this franchise's history? Hint: it's zero. The answer is zero.
The situation up front is actually pretty good. This team is deep, heavy, experienced, and talented. They have obvious fillers in key positions, plenty of two-way capability, and a touch of scoring. But, they are still lacking a real game breaker.
A lot of their offense depends on the continued growth of young players. The top line is anchored by two of them, with Kirill Marchenko having quietly emerged as a star in this league. Joining him is the team's long coveted top line center, Adam Fantilli, who seems to be right on the verge of dominant on some nights.
The biggest question heading into the offseason (especially now that Coyle has re-signed): who is going to flank them next season? Don Waddell could look to bring back Mason Marchment, who filled that spot admirably this season.
Or, he could turn back to Dmitri Voronkov, who has also had success there. Other internal options would include Conor Garland, Cole Sillinger, or even Kent Johnson. However, Johnson may be best suited as the play driver for this team's second line-assuming he can get back to his form of two seasons ago. Maybe having Garland on his opposite flank for a full season will help.
One thing that is certain: the second and third line center spots are held down. With Charlie Coyle and Sean Monahan in the lineup, we know this team will at least have consistency on both sides of the puck throughout their middle six.
Speaking of middle six: this team is in great shape on the wings. Joining Johnson and Garand are Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier, who should both be considered a big part of this team's identity for the foreseeable future. Their third line, along with Coyle in the middle, was one of the most consistent lines in the entire league this season.
Finally, we get to the fourth line. At the moment, the Jackets have two players penciled in here: Miles Wood, and Isac Lundestrom. The only other meaningful pending UFA is captain Boone Jenner. If he's re-signed, at this point in his career, it feels like he would be the third member of this line.
As it stands, they have 11 forwards signed for 12 positions-but still a glaring hole on the top line. This does not include prospect Luca del bel Belluz, who had a strong AHL campaign and looks to be near NHL ready.
??? (Voronkov) - Fantilli - Marchenko
Johnson - Monahan - Garland
Sillinger - Coyle - Olivier
Wood - Lundestrom - ???
So, it feels like a big trade could be in the works to fill out the last hole on the top line. Maybe they have already come up with something. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next six weeks, as the offseason really kicks into high gear.
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