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Four prospects who could make the Blue Jackets roster out of training camp

The Blue Jackets are destined to be a young team again this year. How young? Well, that might depend on how many of their top prospects they decide to keep on the NHL roster out of training camp. Here are four guys who could play their way onto the team this fall.
ByCurtis Deem|
Columbus Blue Jackets v Carolina Hurricanes
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David Jiricek

We'll start with the most obvious one here. After buying out the contract of Adam Boqvist, the Jackets freed up a full-time job on the right side of their defense corps. They happen to have one of the top right-hand defense prospects in all of hockey: David Jiricek.

It's not to say that they have to fill this spot with a right-hand shooter. But, who else is going to take this job? There are no players with more upside, nor who are more NHL ready than Jiricek in this system.

By moving on from both Boqvist and Jake Bean, the Jackets opened up two jobs on the back-end. One of these jobs will likely go to newly acquired Jordan Harris. The other? To me, the team tipped their hand here and told the hockey world that David Jiricek is ready to play and learn in the NHL this season.

Which is the correct move, in my opinion. Even though he struggled to put up offensive numbers last year in limited minutes, he passed the eye test on many occasions. The team sent him back to Cleveland for the last half of the year, and he proved again that he's too good for that level. This was especially clear at times in the playoffs.

If Jiricek makes the team (he should), he will be playing under a more structured coach this season in Dean Evason; who should be able to help him land in better spots defensively. This will help alleviate the stress on his foot speed, which came into question at times last year.

And, maybe most importantly, with Boqvist and Bean gone, he might actually earn some special teams opportunities. If he can hold par defensively and get the opportunity to do the things that made him a #6 overall selection at the draft, he's going to be a standout player in no time.

Odds David Jiricek makes the team: >90%. In my opinion, this one is pretty easy to work out. He's ready for the next step.

He might not be the only top defense prospect to make the opening night roster. Can the guy picked six spots behind him do it as well? Let's break that down on the next slide.

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