Rather than acquiring a big-name talent, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has worked to add depth around the franchise's talented young players. The hope is that the support will help the young guys break out and begin to lead the way.
That trend continued this summer, with Waddell acquiring Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche. He checks all of the same boxes as other players that have recently been brought to Columbus. He has size. He can skate. He plays on both sides of the puck. And, maybe most importantly: he has some term on his contract.
However, adding another apparent middle-six winger to the fold had us wondering: exactly how does this team use everybody? The short answer is, it might take some creativity. But, the long answer shows us that it's a good problem to have.
The top line should be set, once the pen hits paper.
For starters, we'll assume that Adam Fantilli is going to be signed and at training camp next week. He is the centerpiece of what Waddell is trying to build around, and he is going to be the center on this team's top line.
Joining him, I expect Kirill Marchenko on one flank. Summer controversies aside, I think the Blue Jackets are smart to hold onto him for as long as possible. Maybe the team turning the corner and showing him that he can win here, could be enough to convince him to re-sign next summer.
With that in mind, I think the obvious candidate to play on the opposite wing is Nichushkin. His speed, size, skill, and experience could be invaluable alongside this team's two young stars. This fit makes a lot of sense.
There is only one other that I expect to be set for opening night. That's the team's returning identity line, with Cole Sillinger and Charlie Coyle both inking new contracts over the summer. They will be back with Mathieu Olivier, giving the Blue Jackets a tough, reliable trio that can play in all situations.
What about the second line?
In my opinion, it's very possible that the Blue Jackets will start the year without an obvious second line. In fact, unless Fantilli absolutely explodes, their first line is not a true first line. So, it's likely that they will try to spread some of the wealth and score by committee. That means no "true" second line.
What we do know are the names. With Isac Lundestrom on IR to start the year; they have Sean Monahan, Kent Johnson, Conor Garland, Miles Wood, Dmitri Voronkov, Luca Del Bel Belluz, Ryan Lomberg, and Danton Heinen. They should all be competing for jobs on these other two lines. How do they line up?
Thinking outside the box a little bit here: if the team wants to get the most out of Del Bel Belluz, they would be wise to put him on a line that can score. So, why not put Conor Garland and Kent Johnson on a line with him, and use the Coyle line and a Monahan line to insulate their minutes?
Then, you could put Monahan with two of Voronkov, Wood, Heinen or Lomberg, depending on the matchups on a given night. That has the makings of a really good two-way line, regardless how you stack them up. They should be able to give some good minutes.
Here is the lineup I would like to see them start with:
Nichushkin - Fantilli - Marchenko
Sillinger - Coyle - Olivier
Johnson - Del Bel Belluz - Garland
Voronkov - Monahan - Wood
Lomberg/Heinen
As mentioned, no "true" second line here. But, also, no "true" fourth line. The Blue Jackets would be able to roll these guys out in all situations, maybe with a little bit of a softer touch with that LDBB line (try to give them more offensive zone starts).
However they start the year, it's good news that the coaching staff has a lot of options. While offense may still be hard to come by; this team should be really difficult to play against. And that suits a coach like Rick Bowness just fine.
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