Brooke: Is Zach Werenski staying in Columbus forever, or is he packing his bags before next season? And does Jet Greaves actually win the starting job by November, or are we setting ourselves up for another goaltending drama? We’re diving into the hottest takes from your inbox right now.
Tony: It’s a massive week for the Blue Jackets. We’ve got new contracts signed, a new broadcast deal, and a division that isn’t going to hand us anything. Let’s get into it.
Brooke: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Brooke, and this is your daily dose of hockey truth. Joining me as always is Tony, our resident tactical genius who knows more about zone entries than most general managers know about their own rosters.
Tony: Happy Thursday, everyone. It’s September 2nd, which means training camp is looming, free agency fallout is settling, and the Metropolitan Division is looking tougher than ever. We’re here to break down what it all means for Columbus.
Brooke: Today is a mailbag episode, folks. We’ve got questions pouring in about the future of our captain, the battle between the pipes, and whether this roster can actually compete with Boston and New York. Before we hit those emails, let’s lay out three things we’re covering today.
Tony: First, we’re tackling Zach Werenski’s comments about wanting to stay long-term. Second, we’re analyzing the Cole Sillinger extension and what it says about the center depth. And third, we’re finally answering the question: Who starts on opening night against Buffalo?
Brooke: That’s right. We’re talking about the defensive core, the forward group, and the goaltending tandem. So grab your coffee, turn off the notifications, and let’s get into some listener questions. First up, we have a question from @JacketFan88 in Cleveland.
Brooke: @JacketFan88 asks: 'Zach Werenski just said he wants to remain with the Blue Jackets long term, even though he has two seasons left on his current deal. Is this genuine, or is this just standard player PR while the front office figures out the cap space?' What do you think, Tony?
Tony: I think it’s genuine, but with a caveat. Werenski is a homegrown talent. He grew up in this system. He knows the coaching staff. When a defenseman of his caliber says he wants to stay, you listen. But the front office has to make sure they can keep him happy beyond those final two years.
Brooke: Right. And remember, we talked about this yesterday—his desire to contend is tied to his decision. If Columbus doesn’t look like a playoff team, will he still want to be here? The headline said 'Werenski reiterates Blue Jackets' future tied to contending.' That’s key.
Tony: Exactly. He’s not just saying 'I like it here.' He’s saying 'I want to win here.' And that puts pressure on General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen to build around him. You’ve got Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson, Erik Gudbranson... the defensive corps is deep. But keeping Werenski requires flexibility.
Brooke: Speaking of flexibility, let’s look at the other big news. The Blue Jackets and Cole Sillinger reached a three-year deal to avoid arbitration. Three years, $13.875 million. That’s $4.625 million a year. Is that a good value?
Tony: For a young center coming off an arbitration hearing? Yes. Absolutely. Sillinger is a two-way forward. He’s smart, he kills penalties, and he’s only getting better. Locking him up for under five million gives Columbus stability in the middle of the ice. It’s a smart move.
Brooke: And look at the center group we have now. You’ve got Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Isac Lundestrom, Sean Monahan, Owen Sillinger, Charlie Coyle... plus Cole. That is a lot of centers. How do you fit them all in?
Tony: You don’t play them all. But having that depth is crucial. In the Metropolitan Division, you need four lines that can contribute. Coyle provides veteran leadership. Monahan brings experience. Fantilli and Johnson are the offensive engines. And Sillinger rounds out the package with defense. It’s a balanced attack.
Brooke: So, back to Werenski. If he stays, and Sillinger is locked in, and we add Valeri Nichushkin and Conor Garland... are we looking at a legitimate contender in the East? Or are we still a year away?
Tony: We’re close. Very close. The pieces are there. The issue is consistency. Can this group sustain a 100-point pace over 82 games? That’s the question. But if Werenski stays, and the goaltending holds up, I think we see serious trouble in the Metro.
Brooke: Let’s pivot to the next question. This one comes from Sarah in Dayton. She asks: 'With Jet Greaves signing a three-year, $15 million deal, and Elvis Merzlikins still on the roster, who is actually starting on October 1st against Buffalo?'
Tony: Oh, the eternal goaltending debate. Greaves signed for $5 million a year. That’s a significant investment. Usually, when a team signs a goalie to a multi-year deal like that, they intend for him to be the starter. Especially through the 2028-29 season.
Brooke: But Merzlikins is proven. He’s been here. He’s had moments of brilliance. Why wouldn’t you start the guy who’s already in the system? Isn’t that risky to bring in Greaves cold?
Tony: It’s not risk if you believe in the development. Greaves showed promise. And let’s be honest, Merzlikins has had injury concerns and inconsistency. If the front office believes Greaves is the future, they’ll give him the chance. My prediction from last week stands: Greaves wins the job by November.
Brooke: Okay, so Greaves starts. But what if he struggles early? Do we bench him? That’s the scary part for fans. One bad stretch and suddenly you’re wondering if you made a mistake.
Tony: That’s why you need a solid backup. Pheonix Copley is there. He’s experienced. He can stabilize the net if Greaves hits a rough patch. But the intent is clear: Greaves is the number one. The money talks.
Brooke: Alright, let’s move to Segment Two. We’ve got more questions coming in. This one is from Marcus in Cincinnati. He asks: 'The Blue Jackets are fifth in the Metro. With teams like Carolina and Washington adding pieces, how realistic is it to challenge for a higher seed this year?'
Tony: Realistic? Yes. Challenging? Absolutely. The Metro is tough, but Columbus has the talent. You’ve got Kirill Marchenko, who we’ve predicted will be productive for years. You’ve got Denton Mateychuk, who I’ve tipped to secure a top-four role. If those pieces gel, you’re dangerous.
Brooke: But let’s look at the schedule. Our first game is October 1st against the Buffalo Sabres. Home opener. That’s huge. Getting a win there sets the tone. But then what? The grind of the Metro is relentless.
Tony: Exactly. You can’t coast. Every game is a must-win in this division. But here’s the thing: Columbus has depth. Most teams in the Metro rely heavily on their top line. We have multiple lines that can score. That makes us unpredictable.
Brooke: Unpredictable is good. But what about the power play? With players like Marchenko, Garland, and Werenski, shouldn’t we be elite on the man advantage? Why haven’t we seen that yet?
Tony: It’s about chemistry. Power plays take time to click. You need neutral-zone play to transition quickly. You need quick releases from the circle. With new additions like Garland and Nichushkin, there’s a learning curve. But once it clicks, it’s lethal.
Brooke: So, patience with the power play. Got it. Now, a question from @HockeyDad42 in Columbus. He asks: 'What is the biggest weakness on this roster? Is it still the penalty kill, or has it improved?'
Tony: The penalty kill has improved, but it’s still a concern. You have to be disciplined. If you’re taking too many minor penalties, you’re putting yourself in a hole. Werenski and Provorov are great defensively, but they can get caught up ice sometimes.
Brooke: So discipline is key. Don’t take stupid penalties. Keep it simple. Let the goaltender do his job. That sounds like a mantra for the whole team.
Tony: Precisely. And that goes for the forecheck too. You can’t just rush in. You need structure. You need to clog the neutral zone. That’s where games are won or lost in the Metro.
Brooke: Alright, let’s wrap up Segment Two with one more question. This is from Lisa in Toledo. She asks: 'With the NHL producing games for the Blue Jackets, Hurricanes, Wild, and Blues, does that change anything for the fan experience or the team’s visibility?'
Tony: It’s interesting. Centralized production means consistent quality across broadcasts. Better graphics, smoother transitions. For the team, it might mean more exposure nationally. If the NHL is pushing these games, they’re betting on interest.
Brooke: More national TV slots could be huge for recruiting and fan engagement. But for us, it’s just another tool. We still have to play well to draw crowds. The product on the ice matters most.
Tony: Agreed. Production values don’t win games. Skill does. But it helps sell the product. And if Columbus is performing, that’s good for everyone.
Brooke: Stay tuned. After this break, we’re doing a lightning round. Who wins the scoring title? Who is the unsung hero? And will the Blue Jackets surprise anyone? Don’t go anywhere.
Brooke: Welcome back to the lightning round. First question: Who is the unsung hero on this Blue Jackets roster? Not the stars, not the captains. Someone who makes life easier for everyone else.
Tony: I’m going with Isac Lundestrom. He’s versatile. He can play center or wing. He works hard in the corners. He doesn’t need the puck to make an impact. He’s the glue guy.
Brooke: Lundestrom. I like that. He’s everywhere. Okay, next question: Who is going to surprise people this season? Someone who exceeds expectations.
Tony: Conor Garland. He’s skilled, he’s fast, and he’s hungry. If he finds a rhythm with Marchenko or Nichushkin, he could put up 30 goals. People are sleeping on him.
Brooke: Garland. Bold take. I’ll go with Denton Mateychuk. I predicted he’d secure a top-four role. If he continues to develop, he could be a star. His skating and vision are elite.
Tony: Mateychuk is a sneaky good pick. He’s quiet, but he’s effective. I’ll stick with him as the dark horse.
Brooke: Final lightning round question: Will the Blue Jackets make the playoffs? Yes or no.
Tony: Yes. They have the talent. They have the depth. They just need to stay healthy. I see them finishing fourth or fifth, but making the playoffs.
Brooke: Yes. I agree. It’s going to be tight, but they’re in it. Alright, that’s our mailbag. We’ve covered Werenski, Sillinger, Greaves, and the Metro outlook.
Tony: Big week ahead. Opening night against Buffalo. Let’s see if Greaves starts and if Werenski leads the charge.
Brooke: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast app. Share it with a fellow Blue Jackets fan. Help us grow the network!
Tony: Go Blue Jackets. See you next time.
Brooke: This is Brooke, signing off with Tony. Keep your sticks on ice and your eyes on the prize. Go Jackets!