Brooke: Five teams from the Metro make the playoffs. The Blue Jackets are sitting fifth right now. Coincidence? Or destiny?
Tony: We're about to find out. Welcome back to Beatline, I'm Tony.
Brooke: And I'm Brooke. Today we're breaking down the Blue Jackets' power ranking in the Metropolitan Division, what's working, what's not, and a win projection that might surprise you.
Tony: Plus, we check in on Werenski's future, Sillinger's new deal, and the goalie situation.
Brooke: Stick with us — this is going to be a good one.
Brooke: Alright Tony, let's dive in. The Blue Jackets sit fifth in the Metro. With eight teams in the division, that's right in the thick of the playoff race.
Tony: Yeah, and the top three are clear, but spots four through seven are a logjam. Fifth is a dangerous spot to be — one bad week and you're on the outside looking in.
Brooke: But if the season ended today, they'd be in. That's what we're hanging our hat on.
Tony: Exactly. But power rankings aren't about the standings — they're about who's trending. And Columbus is trending up after locking up key pieces.
Brooke: Let's talk about those pieces. Cole Sillinger signed a three-year deal to avoid arbitration — 13.875 million. That's a commitment to the future.
Tony: And Jet Greaves got 15 million over three years. That's a real vote of confidence in the crease.
Brooke: So with those deals done, does the roster feel more settled than it did a week ago?
Tony: Absolutely. The front office is sending a message: we believe in this group. And that matters when you're trying to climb in the division.
Brooke: But the Metro is brutal. The Hurricanes just won the Cup, the Rangers are reloading, the Devils are loaded. Where do the Jackets actually fit?
Tony: I think they're right in that wild-card mix. They're not a favorite, but they're not a pushover either. Fifth feels fair — maybe even a little low if the goaltending holds up.
Brooke: And we've got a huge test coming up — the home opener against Buffalo on October first. That's a chance to set the tone.
Tony: Yeah, and Marchenko on opening night — we called that one yesterday. If he scores, it's a perfect start.
Brooke: Alright, stick with us — after the break, we're breaking down the strengths and the big question marks.
Brooke: Welcome back. Let's talk about what this team does well — and where they might come up short.
Tony: The biggest strength is up front. They've got depth at center with Fantilli, Monahan, Sillinger, and Coyle. That's a lot of options down the middle.
Brooke: And on the wings, you've got Marchenko, Voronkov, Garland, Nichushkin. That's a top-six that can score with anyone in the division.
Tony: If the forecheck is working, this team is a nightmare to play against. They can roll four lines and wear you down.
Brooke: And on the back end, Werenski is a top-ten defenseman in this league. He anchors everything.
Tony: But here's the question mark: the rest of the defense. Provorov, Severson, Fabbro — they're solid, but is there a true shutdown pair behind Werenski?
Brooke: We mentioned Mateychuk potentially jumping to the top pair by game ten. That would be huge for the depth chart.
Tony: And then there's the goaltending. Elvis Merzlikins, Jet Greaves, and Pheonix Copley. Greaves just got paid — but can he be the guy for 50 starts?
Brooke: That's the million-dollar question. If Greaves gives them above-average saves, they're a playoff team.
Tony: Exactly. Goaltending wins you close games in the division, and there are going to be a lot of close games.
Brooke: Another thing: the penalty kill. That was a weakness last year. If they can't kill penalties against the Metro's power plays, it's going to be a long season.
Tony: And the power play needs to be better too. With that much talent, there's no excuse for not being top-ten in the league.
Brooke: So strengths: offense, center depth, Werenski. Question marks: defense behind him, goaltending, special teams.
Tony: That's a pretty fair summary. And it's why I think they're a wild-card team, not a division winner — there are just too many question marks to say otherwise.
Brooke: Alright, final segment: the outlook. What's a realistic win total?
Tony: I've been going back and forth on this. If everything clicks, I see them around 95-100 points. That's a wild-card spot.
Brooke: That would be about 45 wins. That's a big jump from last year.
Tony: It is, but look at the additions: Nichushkin, Garland, Coyle. And the young guys like Fantilli and Johnson are a year older. This is a deeper team on paper.
Brooke: But the Metro is so competitive. The Hurricanes are the champs, the Rangers are always there, the Devils are scary. Every point matters.
Tony: Exactly. That's why the home opener against Buffalo is so important. You need to bank points early, especially in your own building.
Brooke: And we said yesterday: Marchenko leads the team in goals, and they make the playoffs as a wild card. I'm sticking with that.
Tony: I'll go one step further: I think they finish with 96 points and sneak in as the second wild card. It's going to be tight, but this team is built for it.
Brooke: That's the optimism we need. But let's be real — if the goaltending collapses, all bets are off.
Tony: That's the one thing that scares me. But I trust Greaves. He's earned that contract.
Brooke: Alright, so the bottom line: fifth in the Metro, but with a real shot at the playoffs. The pieces are there.
Tony: And Werenski's future is tied to contending. This season is a big step in proving that to him.
Brooke: That's our show for today. If you enjoyed it, subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a fellow Jackets fan.
Tony: And don't forget to check back tomorrow for more Blue Jackets coverage.
Brooke: Until then, keep your sticks on the ice. This is Beatline, signing off.