Brooke: Cole Sillinger just got paid, Jet Greaves just got paid, and Zach Werenski wants to win. But the real story in Columbus? There's a logjam at center that could shake the whole lineup.
Tony: And we're about to break down who's in, who's out, and who's on the bubble.
Brooke: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, I'm Brooke.
Tony: And I'm Tony. This is your daily Columbus Blue Jackets fix.
Brooke: Today we're diving into the roster battles that are going to define this team's season. We'll start with the biggest one at center, then we'll hit the wings and the blue line, and we'll wrap with our cut predictions.
Tony: And we're going to check in on those bold predictions we made yesterday. Marchenko for the goal lead, and a wild card berth.
Brooke: Let's get into it.
Brooke: So Tony, let's start with the biggest battle: center ice. This roster has six natural centers listed: Charlie Coyle, Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Isac Lundestrom, Sean Monahan, and Cole Sillinger.
Tony: That's a lot of guys for probably four spots, maybe five if someone shifts to wing. And you've got Owen Sillinger in there too, though he might be more of a depth guy.
Brooke: Right. And we just saw Cole Sillinger sign a three-year deal worth thirteen point eight seven five million. That's a commitment to him as a core piece.
Tony: Exactly. That deal tells you he's not just a depth guy. He's going to be in the top nine, probably even top six. But where? He can play center or wing, which gives the coaching staff flexibility.
Brooke: And Sean Monahan is still here. He's a veteran, a reliable two-way center. He's probably a lock for a middle-six role.
Tony: I'd say Monahan and Coyle are locks. They're both experienced, defensively responsible. Then you've got the young guns: Fantilli, Johnson, and Sillinger.
Brooke: Fantilli is the future number one center. No question. But is he ready to take that spot full-time this season?
Tony: He's shown flashes. But he's still developing his consistency. I think he starts the season as the second or third line center, but he could push for more as the year goes on.
Brooke: And Kent Johnson? He's been moved around a lot. He's got the skill, but can he handle the defensive responsibilities of an NHL center?
Tony: That's the big question. Johnson is more of a playmaker, a winger maybe. But he's been working on his defensive game. If he can win faceoffs and play a 200-foot game, he could be a huge asset down the middle.
Brooke: And then there's Isac Lundestrom. He's more of a defensive-minded center, a penalty killer.
Tony: Lundestrom is a valuable fourth-line center. He's not going to put up big points, but he's reliable in the defensive zone and on the kill. That's a role that wins you games.
Brooke: So who gets squeezed out? We might see one of these guys traded or moved to wing.
Tony: I think the odd man out could be Lundestrom, but he's too valuable defensively to just cut. More likely, someone like Coyle or Monahan gets flipped at the deadline if a young guy steps up.
Brooke: Alright, so the center battle is deep. What about the wings?
Tony: The wings are also crowded. You've got Dmitri Voronkov, Kirill Marchenko, Conor Garland, Valeri Nichushkin, Miles Wood, Danton Heinen, Ryan Lomberg, Mathieu Olivier, and Riley Bezeau.
Brooke: That's a lot of bodies. But who are the locks?
Tony: Marchenko is a lock. He's coming off a career year and he's our pick to lead the team in goals. Garland is a lock for a top-six role. Nichushkin, if he's healthy and reinstated, he's a top-six power forward.
Brooke: And Voronkov? He's a big, skilled winger who can play center too.
Tony: Voronkov is a lock for a middle-six role. He's got size and hands. He could be a breakout candidate.
Brooke: So who's fighting for the last couple of spots? Wood, Heinen, Lomberg, Olivier, Bezeau?
Tony: Exactly. Wood brings speed and grit. Heinen is a versatile forward who can kill penalties. Lomberg is an energy guy. Olivier is a physical presence. Bezeau is a young guy trying to crack the lineup.
Brooke: That's a tough decision for the coaching staff. But competition is good.
Tony: Absolutely. And if someone underperforms, they're not going to get a lot of chances. This team has depth.
Brooke: Stick with us. We've got more battles to break down after the break.
Brooke: Welcome back. So we talked about the forwards. Now let's get to the blue line. This is another area with a lot of options.
Tony: You've got Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson, Dante Fabbro, Erik Gudbranson, Denton Mateychuk, Egor Zamula, Jake Christiansen, and Brendan Smith. That's nine defensemen for probably seven or eight spots.
Brooke: Werenski is obviously the anchor. He's a number one defenseman, plays big minutes, runs the power play. And he wants to stay long-term, which is great news.
Tony: After him, it gets interesting. Provorov and Severson are established veterans. They're probably locks for top-four roles. Fabbro is a solid top-four guy too. Gudbranson is more of a bottom-pairing physical presence.
Brooke: And then you've got the young guys: Mateychuk, Zamula, Christiansen. They're fighting for ice time.
Tony: Mateychuk is the most intriguing. He's a former first-round pick, smooth-skating offensive defenseman. He could push for a top-four role if he has a good camp.
Brooke: Zamula came over in a trade, right? He's got size and can move the puck.
Tony: Yeah, Zamula is a left-shot who can play on the second or third pair. He's got potential. Christiansen is more of a depth guy, but he's shown he can play in the NHL.
Brooke: So who's the odd man out on defense?
Tony: I think Brendan Smith might be the odd man out. He's a veteran, but he's not as good as he used to be. And with the young guys pushing, he might be the one who gets waived or traded.
Brooke: And what about the goalies? That's a battle too. Jet Greaves just signed a three-year, fifteen million dollar deal. That's a big commitment.
Tony: Greaves is the future. He's proven he can play at this level. But Elvis Merzlikins is still there, and he's making a lot of money. And Pheonix Copley is a solid backup.
Brooke: So who starts opening night?
Tony: I think it's Greaves' job to lose. He's younger, cheaper, and on the rise. Merzlikins might be a trade candidate, but he's got a big cap hit. It's a tough situation.
Brooke: So the goaltending battle is really about who's the backup, and whether Merzlikins stays.
Tony: Exactly. Copley could be the perfect backup, but Merzlikins' contract makes it complicated.
Brooke: We'll see how that plays out. Now let's talk about our cut predictions and who's trending up or down.
Brooke: Alright, Tony, it's time to make some tough calls. Who's making the opening night roster, and who's on the outside looking in?
Tony: Let's start with the forwards. I think the locks are: Coyle, Monahan, Fantilli, Sillinger, Johnson, Marchenko, Garland, Nichushkin, Voronkov, and probably Wood and Heinen. That's eleven.
Brooke: So that leaves one or two spots for Lomberg, Olivier, Bezeau, and Lundestrom.
Tony: Right. I think Lundestrom makes it as the fourth-line center. He's too valuable on the penalty kill. So that's twelve forwards. The last spot is between Lomberg and Olivier. I think Olivier gets it because he brings a physical edge that this team needs.
Brooke: So Bezeau and Lomberg start in the AHL? That's tough for Lomberg, he's a veteran.
Tony: It's a numbers game. But injuries happen, and they'll get their chance.
Brooke: Now defense. Who's in?
Tony: Werenski, Provorov, Severson, Fabbro, Gudbranson, Mateychuk, and Zamula. That's seven. Christiansen is the extra. Smith is out.
Brooke: That seems right. Smith is the veteran who loses his spot to the youth movement.
Tony: And in goal, Greaves is the starter. Copley is the backup. Merzlikins is the odd man out, likely traded or bought out.
Brooke: So who's trending up? Who's trending down?
Tony: Trending up: Adam Fantilli. He's going to take a big step this year. And Denton Mateychuk, he's going to earn a top-four role. And of course, Jet Greaves. He's the man in net now.
Brooke: Trending down?
Tony: Elvis Merzlikins. He's lost his starting job and he might not even be on the team. And maybe Sean Monahan, just because he's getting older and the young guys are pushing for his ice time.
Brooke: So what's your bold prediction for opening night?
Tony: I think Mateychuk is on the top pairing with Werenski by game ten. He's that good.
Brooke: And I'll add this: Kirill Marchenko scores on opening night against Buffalo. He's going to start hot.
Brooke: Alright, that's our show. Big battles, big decisions, and a team that's finally building something.
Tony: The future is bright in Columbus.
Brooke: Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with your fellow Jackets fans.
Tony: And as always, Go Jackets!
Brooke: We'll see you next time.