Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell finally did something to help pull his team out of a slump last week. He acquired left wing Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken, and through 2 games this is looking like an interesting swing.
Some might call it a panic move, and they are probably right in doing so. But, many of us around the 5th Line have been screaming for this team to do something-anything-for weeks.
And, as they say: beggars can't be choosers.
So, when the trade was announced late Friday night, we couldn't really complain. All we could do was wait and see. Fortunately, we did not have to wait long.
Mason made his CBJ debut in Anaheim on Saturday night, scoring his first goal and playing nearly 20 minutes. On Monday night, he played a little less, but he scored twice on the power-play.
In just two games, he has three goals; just one shy of his total in 29 games with the Seattle Kraken. While it will be impossible to keep up that pace, one thing is obvious here: he's made a massive impact to the CBJ roster.
Just the kind of player they needed.
Last season, we were treated to 16 goals and 36 points in 71 games from wily veteran James van Riemsdyk. I don't think it's a stretch to say that this team has sorely missed that guy this season.
JVR was the perfect fit alongside Kent Johnson because he kept things simple, went hard to the net, and gave KJ room to work. It's a small sample window, but that's what we have seen, and I'm hoping we will continue to see out of Mason Marchment on the opposite wing of #91.
This trade has already sparked some secondary offense, but the hope is that even when Mason's goal scoring inevitably dries up; his presence alone will help this team generate more.
Dean Evason has a more balanced lineup.
We were all hoping to see this team get another top-two line scoring threat. So far, Mason Marchment has been that piece. As we touched on above, it's probably not sustainable.
But, his presence gives this team another experienced NHLer who can chip in some offense while being a big difference maker on the other side of the puck. Suddenly, this team looks a little bit bigger and more difficult from a matchup perspective.
Once Mathieu Olivier returns, this team is going to have some serious depth up front. To the extent that two pretty good NHL players are going to be sitting in the press box.
Nobody is going to like playing against this team if they roll out this group of forwards:
Voronkov - Fantilli - Marchenko
Marchment - Monahan - Johnson
Jenner - Coyle - Olivier
Wood - Lundestrom - Sillinger
Chinakhov, Aston-Reese
The impact of adding a guy like this is not insignificant. That's an experienced, big, heavy, strong two-way group of forwards. They still lack a little bit of offensive punch, but should this team find its way into the playoffs, they are going to be a nightmare matchup.
Could this preempt another trade?
In closing, something we have to mention: that's 14 full-time NHL forwards. By acquiring Mason Marchment, Don Waddell has opened up the possibility of trading away one of his other middle-six forwards.
If he can find something that helps him elsewhere on the roster, don't be surprised to see a Charlie Coyle, Cole Sillinger, or Isac Lundestrom dangled in a trade. Or, dare I mention Boone Jenner or Kent Johnson?
It feels like Waddell has started to make his mark on this roster. I think this is only just the beginning.