The Blue Jackets are going to have a very skilled group of top-six forwards this year, but if it comes together, look out...
Rather than continuing to work our way up through the second line, let's just rip off the band-aid. Here's how I have the top-two lines shaking out:
Fantilli-Monahan-Marchenko
Johnson-Jenner-Chinakhov
Yes, I believe Adam Fantili will start the year on the wing. This is my hottest take ahead of the season. That doesn't mean he'll be there all year, or even full-time. But, with the loss of Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets have to piece together a top line. Fantilli is the highest upside player on the entire roster.
And, what better way to develop our future #1 center, than to play him in heavy minutes alongside a veteran two-way pivot like Sean Monahan? Fantilli can ease into faceoff situations and see what it takes to play in that top center role, up close and in live action. With Kirill Marchenko on the other side, I could see this being a really productive top line.
This also allows the team to keep a veteran between the two youngsters on the second line. Boone Jenner won't be forced to play 20+ minutes per night, now that the team has added Monahan to the roster. So, he can settle into a middle-six mentorship role here, eating up the responsibilities while Kent Johnson and Yegor Chinakhov do their thing offensively.
I'm sure there will be lots of shuffling done here. And, over time, Fantilli is going to be a full-time center on this team. This probably moves Jenner into a role on the wing. Maybe even Fantilli's wing - with Monahan assuming a mentoring job in between Johnson and Chinakhov.
The battle for the 13th forward spot is something we'll have to pay close attention to as well. Dylan Gambrell, Owen Sillinger, or perhaps even Trey Fix-Wolansky could be in line to win that job. Lest we forget Waddell's promise to add another forward to the roster before the season, as well. Lots of things could still happen here.
The Jackets have some interesting options for line combinations. If early usage in camp is any indication, my predictions will be very, very wrong. But, it's always interesting to see different perspectives and ideas on where guys might fit in.