Brooke: The net is tight, the ice is fresh, and Columbus is staring down a brand new season with a roster that looks nothing like it did twelve months ago. Zach Werenski is staying put, Jet Greaves has signed his big deal, and Cole Sillinger just locked in a three-year extension. But are the Jackets actually ready to climb out of the Metropolitan Division basement? We’re answering your mailbag questions right now.
Tony: It’s a different team than last year. The contracts are signed, the arbitration is avoided, and the starting goalie seems picked. But the depth chart? That’s still a puzzle. And we’ve got some tough questions from you about whether this group can crack the top eight in the East.
Brooke: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Brooke, alongside Tony, and this is your daily dose of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey. Before we dive into the inbox, let’s set the stage for today. We’ve got three major areas to cover: first, the emotional and tactical weight of Zach Werenski’s future in Columbus; second, the goaltending battle between Greaves and Merzlikins; and third, the center ice logjam that includes Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and our newest long-term man, Cole Sillinger.
Tony: And we’re also going to touch on those bold predictions we made over the last few days, specifically regarding Kirill Marchenko scoring on opening night against Buffalo. It’s all coming up. But first, a quick note. We know putting together a fresh, detailed show every single day takes a massive amount of time and resources. If you enjoy hearing us break down the forecheck, the power play, and the cap moves, please consider supporting us. Just check the link in the episode description. It helps keep the show free and daily, and it means the world to us.
Brooke: Thank you so much. Now, let’s get to it. Our first question comes from @JacketsFan88, who asks: 'Zach Werenski says he believes fans are still on his side after a turbulent offseason. With two years left on his contract, how does his mindset change when you look at the team’s current standing? Is he motivated by proving critics wrong, or is he focused on building a contender?'
Tony: That’s a great question because it touches on the psychological aspect of leadership. Werenski reiterated that his future is tied to contending. He knows Columbus is currently sitting first in the Metropolitan Division, but let’s be real—that’s preseason standings. The reality is they need to prove they can sustain that pace. His motivation isn’t about proving critics wrong; it’s about leveraging his two-year window to build something stable. He’s seen the turbulence, and now he’s seeing the pieces fall into place.
Brooke: So you’re saying he’s not rattled by the noise? Because last week we talked about how the front office stabilized things with the Greaves and Sillinger deals. Does Werenski see this as the final piece?
Tony: I think he sees it as the foundation. When you have your captain, your top defenseman, and now your core centers like Sillinger and Fantilli under control, the pressure shifts from the locker room to the coaching staff and management. Werenski’s job is to lead by example on the ice. His confidence in the fanbase suggests he feels supported, which is huge for morale heading into training camp.
Brooke: Let’s move to another Werenski-related query from Sarah in Columbus. She asks: 'With Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson also on the blueline, where does Werenski fit in the top-four? And how does Denton Mateychuk’s push for a spot affect the pairing dynamics?'
Tony: This is the tactical heart of the defensive corps. Werenski is the anchor. He’s playing heavy minutes, logging the most ice time. Provorov brings that physicality and transition game, while Severson offers stability. Mateychuk? He’s the wildcard. We predicted back on September 9th that Mateychuk would secure a top-four role by mid-season. Right now, he’s pushing hard in camp. If he wins a spot, it might mean shifting Werenski to play more with Provorov to create a shut-down pair, letting Severson and Mateychuk handle the offensive zone entries.
Brooke: That’s a bold lineup change. Do you think Mateychuk is ready for that kind of responsibility so early in the season?
Tony: He’s young, yes. But his skating is elite. The question is his decision-making in the neutral zone. If he makes a mistake there, it’s costly. But if he succeeds, he frees up Werenski to focus on defensive coverage. It’s a risk, but one the Jackets need to take if they want to be competitive.
Brooke: Alright, moving on. We’ve got a question from Marcus in Cleveland asking about the goaltending situation. 'Jet Greaves signed a three-year, $15 million deal. Elvis Merzlikins is still here. Is Greaves the starter for sure, or is this a competition?'
Tony: It’s effectively over. Greaves’ contract signals the organization’s intent. They’ve bet on him. He’s got the upside, the athleticism, and now the financial commitment behind him. Merzlikins is a veteran presence, and he’ll compete, but the message is clear: Greaves is the guy. This mirrors what we discussed yesterday—Greaves is expected to start. The question now is whether he can handle the workload without breaking down physically.
Brooke: Because we know Merzlikins has had injury concerns in the past. Does having a reliable veteran backup help Greaves mentally?
Tony: Absolutely. Knowing Merzlikins is there to step in if needed takes the pressure off. Greaves doesn’t have to panic after a bad shift. He can trust the system and his backup. This stability is crucial for a young goalie. It allows him to focus on his development rather than worrying about his job security every night.
Brooke: Let’s talk about the center ice logjam. @HockeyNerd42 asks: 'We have Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger, Charlie Coyle, Sean Monahan, and even Owen Sillinger. Who starts on the first line? And how do you balance the roles?'
Tony: This is the biggest debate in camp. Cole Sillinger’s new three-year, $13.875 million deal shows they believe in him long-term. But fantasy? Fantilli has the highest ceiling. Johnson is the playmaker. Coyle provides experience. My guess? You start with a mix. Maybe Sillinger on the second line with Fantilli and Johnson flanking him. Or you put all three young guns together and let them find their chemistry. It depends on who clicks in practice.
Brooke: But remember, we also have Valeri Nichushkin and Conor Garland on the wings. How does that impact the center assignments?
Tony: Nichushkin and Garland are high-end wingers. They need skilled centers. That likely pushes Sillinger or Coyle to the second or third line. It’s a good problem to have, but it means the depth centers like Isac Lundestrom and Ryan Lomberg need to hold down their own lines effectively. The top six needs to click, or the bottom six gets exposed.
Brooke: Our next question comes from Emily in Dayton. She asks: 'Kirill Marchenko scored on opening night last year. Will he repeat that feat against the Sabres on October 1st? And what about Danton Heinen’s role with the new additions?'
Tony: Marchenko is a goal scorer. He’s got the shot, he’s got the hands. Against Buffalo, who has their own issues, Marchenko is a prime candidate. We predicted he’d score on opening night, and I’m sticking with that. As for Heinen, he’s versatile. He can play both wings and potentially center. With Garland and Nichushkin taking the top spots, Heinen might slide to a checking role or a fourth-line matchup specialist. His versatility is valuable.
Brooke: Let’s wrap up the roster questions with a query from @CBJInsider. 'What about Dmitri Voronkov? Is he ready for a regular role, or will he spend time in the AHL?'
Tony: Voronkov is a project. He’s got size, but he needs to refine his game. Unless he blows everyone out of the water in camp, he’ll likely start in the AHL. It’s the best path for his development. The Jackets don’t need to rush him. They have enough forward depth to wait.
Brooke: Alright, time for our fun segment. A hypothetical from Tyler in Cincinnati: 'If the Blue Jackets could only keep three players from the current roster, who stays?'
Tony: Ouch. That’s brutal. Okay, Zach Werenski, no question. He’s the heart and soul. Jet Greaves, because you need your starter. And... Adam Fantilli? He’s the future. Those three give you a captain, a goalie, and a franchise center. Hardest cut ever would be cutting someone like Erik Gudbranson or Brendan Smith.
Brooke: I’d swap Fantilli for Cole Sillinger. Sillinger is already under contract, gritty, and fits the system perfectly. So Werenski, Greaves, and Sillinger. What about you, Tony? Any surprises?
Tony: No surprises. Those are the pillars. Now, lightning round. First team in the Metropolitan Division at full strength? Columbus. Who wins the Calder Trophy? Jet Greaves. Who misses the playoffs? Everyone else in the East except maybe Florida and Toronto.
Brooke: Bold calls! We’ll see if we’re right. Let’s recap. Werenski is motivated, Greaves is the starter, and the center ice logjam is the biggest story. Our prediction stands: Blue Jackets finish 8th in the East, make the playoffs as a Wild Card. Kirill Marchenko scores on opening night. We’ll be watching closely.
Tony: Great session. Thanks for all the questions. Keep sending them in. We love hearing from you.
Brooke: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Jackets fan. Let’s get this team to the playoffs. Go Blue Jackets!