When pending UFA Jake Christiansen signed a one-year, two-way, league-minimum contract extension with Columbus back in the middle of July, he was seen as a candidate for the third-pairing left-shot defenseman role on the NHL roster.
He'd likely have competed with Denton Mateychuk and Jack Johnson for the role. Still, given his pedigree with the Cleveland Monsters in 2023-2024, Don Waddell's comments on wanting to use the AHL for younger players' development more seriously, and Jack Johnson's perceived depth role, he was likely the man for the job.
But then, August rolled around, and the Jackets traded Patrik Laine and a 2025 second-rounder to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for LHD Jordan Harris, and Jake's almost-guaranteed role went up in smoke.
This isn't to say that Jake couldn't compete for the role during training camp. Christiansen was marvelous during his time in AHL Cleveland this past season, where he posted an 11-23-34 line in 50 games. He drew another AHL All-Star nod along with teammates Trey Fix-Wolansky and Jet Greaves. Christiansen also spent time at the NHL level with the Jackets, posting 0-2-2 in 12 games.
Regardless, the presence of Jordan Harris will make earning a full-time spot in Columbus much more difficult for Jake, to the point where I find it unfortunately unlikely that he will earn a spot on the big league roster. This is, of course, barring any injuries or unforeseen circumstances.
However, several factors aid Christiansen in earning a spot: his ability to play both sides in the defensive zone, similar to Harris. And, the fact that Harris has played a significant amount of time on the right side, the opposite of Jake's natural position.
In addition, David Jiricek remains Waivers exempt through at least the end of this season; if David struggles again at the NHL level, Jake would be the first man up if Jordan Harris swaps to the right side of the depth chart.
If Jake makes the full-time roster for one reason or another, it would be his spectacular play at the AHL level and his look of being an NHL-caliber defenseman during his time in Columbus last season. In that case, he will play his way up the depth chart.
His two-way game improved dramatically in Cleveland as the season went on, and his point production remained strong during both the regular season and Cleveland's deep postseason run (0-1-1 in 4 GP).
One bold prediction: If Jake ends up making the roster, he will take over the second-pairing LHD role from Ivan Provorov before the end of the season.
I personally do not think highly of Ivan Provorov's abilities as a defenseman, either as an offensive or a defensive talent. His style of play did not mesh well in Philadelphia with John Tortorella, and I do not think that he will thrive under Dean Evason's structured defensive system either.
Either by the end of training camp or by the trade deadline, Don Waddell will be looking to move Ivan and will likely find a deal one way or the other given Provorov's expiring deal at the end of the year. This would leave a spot on the left side available, and I think Jake is best poised to take this role over better than anyone else on the CBJ payroll.