Brooke: Seven centers. One starting goalie job that actually looks settled for the first time in years. And a defensive corps that is trying to figure out who plays with whom before the puck drops on October first against Buffalo.
Tony: It’s not just about who makes the team, Brooke. It’s about line chemistry. We’ve got Adam Fantilli fighting for ice time against Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger. That is a crowded kitchen in Columbus right now.
Brooke: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every angle of your favorite teams. I’m Brooke, and I’m here with Tony, our resident tactical analyst. If you’re new here, we are America’s number one daily sports podcast network, and today we are diving deep into the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tony: Hey everyone. Yeah, it’s a critical week. Training camps are open, the roster battles are heating up, and there are some serious questions about the bottom six forwards and the defensive pairings.
Brooke: Before we get into the meat of it, I want to do a quick shout-out. We know how much work goes into these daily episodes—the research, the editing, keeping the feed running free for you guys. If you love what we do, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It helps keep the lights on and the hockey coming. Now, let’s talk roster.
Tony: Appreciate that. So, for this episode, we’re looking at three big things: the center ice logjam, the defensive pairings involving Werenski and Provorov, and who is likely getting cut before Opening Night against the Sabres.
Brooke: We’ve been talking about Zach Werenski’s future, Jet Greaves’ contract, and Cole Sillinger’s extension in previous shows. Today, we’re looking at the players still fighting for spots. Let’s start with the most important battle: Center Ice.
Tony: Okay, so seven centers on the roster. Charlie Coyle, Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Isac Lundestrom, Sean Monahan, Cole Sillinger, and Owen Sillinger. That is an unusual number for one team. Who starts where?
Brooke: Right? Seven centers. It’s like they built a whole other team in the front office. But realistically, who are the top three? Because we need three lines to play.
Tony: I think Charlie Coyle is locked in as the number one center. He’s the veteran presence. Then you have Adam Fantilli. The kid has skill, but he needs to prove he can handle the physicality of the NHL full-time. And then it’s between Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger for that third spot.
Brooke: But wait, we just signed Cole Sillinger to a three-year, $13.875 million deal. That’s significant money. Does that mean he’s guaranteed a spot?
Tony: It means he’s not going anywhere unless he plays terribly. The contract avoids arbitration, which tells us management believes in his ceiling. But Kent Johnson? He’s younger, faster, and has more offensive upside. I’d say Johnson gets the nod over Sillinger for the third line center role initially.
Brooke: So Coyle, Fantilli, Johnson. What happens to the others? Isac Lundestrom and Sean Monahan seem like safe bets for the fourth line, but where does Owen Sillinger fit?
Tony: Owen Sillinger is interesting. He’s a two-way player, but he’s playing behind a lot of talent. I think he’s battling for a fourth-line spot against Lundestrom. If he doesn’t make it, he’s probably headed to the AHL or maybe even IR if they need cap space later.
Brooke: And what about Valeri Nichushkin? He’s listed as a Right Wing, but given his size and skill, could he move around?
Tony: Nichushkin stays on the wing. He’s too big and too skilled to play center. He’s going to be a force on the power play alongside Kirill Marchenko. Remember, we predicted Marchenko would score on opening night against Buffalo. With Nichushkin providing that net-front presence, that’s a very dangerous combo.
Brooke: Okay, so the top six forwards are shaping up: Coyle-Fantilli-Johnson on top, then maybe Sillinger or Lundestrom below them. But let’s talk defense. This is where it gets messy.
Tony: The defensive corps is huge. You’ve got Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson, Dante Fabbro, Erik Gudbranson, Denton Mateychuk, Brendan Smith, Jake Christiansen, and Egor Zamula. Nine defensemen. That’s too many.
Brooke: Nine defensemen! Okay, so who are the top four? Obviously Werenski and Provorov are the anchors. They’re your #1 and #2 pairings. But who plays with them?
Tony: Werenski needs someone who can clear the zone and kill penalties. Damon Severson is a great shot blocker and penalty killer. I see him pairing with Werenski. Provorov is more of an offensive driver, so he might want someone who can skate with him. Maybe Dante Fabbro?
Brooke: Fabbro has speed, but he’s also prone to turnovers. Do you trust him with Provorov in the neutral zone?
Tony: It’s a risk. But Provorov is smart enough to cover for mistakes. I think the coaching staff will go with the offensive upside. So Werenski-Severson and Provorov-Fabbro. That leaves Gudbranson, Mateychuk, and Smith for the bottom six.
Brooke: Erik Gudbranson brings the physicality. He’s a veteran leader. Where does Denton Mateychuk fit in? He’s young and has a good shot.
Tony: Mateychuk is trending up. He’s big, he skates well, and he’s learning from the veterans. I think he beats out Brendan Smith for the seventh defenseman spot. Smith is older, slower. In today’s NHL, speed matters more.
Brooke: So Gudbranson-Mateychuk as the third pair? That seems solid defensively. But what about Egor Zamula and Jake Christiansen? Are they fighting for that last spot?
Tony: Zamula and Christiansen are probably the ones cutting it close. Zamula has offensive instincts, but Christiansen is more responsible defensively. If the team wants to protect their lead, Christiansen might have the edge. But if they want to push the pace, Zamula wins out.
Brooke: This is why training camp is so crucial. The coaches have to see these matchups live. You can’t simulate the pressure of a playoff race in practice.
Tony: Exactly. And don’t forget, the NHL is producing their own games for the Blue Jackets this season. That centralized production model means less downtime, more visibility. It keeps the energy high.
Brooke: Let’s wrap up the depth chart talk. Left Wing: Danton Heinen, Ryan Lomberg, Dmitri Voronkov, Miles Wood. Right Wing: Riley Bezeau, Conor Garland, Kirill Marchenko, Valeri Nichushkin, Mathieu Olivier. Who’s making the final cut?
Tony: This is where it gets tight. On the left wing, Miles Wood is a lock. He’s a grinder, he kills penalties, he’s reliable. Danton Heinen is also pretty safe. He’s versatile. That leaves Lomberg and Voronkov fighting for the last spot.
Brooke: Ryan Lomberg is known for his physical play. Dmitri Voronkov has the size and the scoring touch. Who do you prefer for the fourth line?
Tony: Lomberg. He’s proven. He knows how to win hockey games. Voronkov is raw. He needs time to develop. I think Lomberg makes the team, and Voronkov goes to the AHL to finish his development.
Brooke: On the right wing, it’s clearer. Marchenko and Nichushkin are starters. Conor Garland is a strong contender for the second line. He adds speed and skill. That leaves Bezeau and Olivier.
Tony: Conor Garland is exciting. He creates chaos. I think he wins the second-line spot. Riley Bezeau is young, talented, but inconsistent. Mathieu Olivier is a veteran presence. I think Bezeau gets the call because he’s hungry. He wants to prove himself.
Brooke: So, my final roster predictions: Forwards: Coyle, Fantilli, Johnson, Sillinger, Lundestrom, Monahan, Wood, Heinen, Garland, Marchenko, Nichushkin, Bezeau. Defense: Werenski, Provorov, Severson, Fabbro, Gudbranson, Mateychuk. Goalies: Greaves and Merzlikins.
Tony: I agree with most of that. I’d swap Bezeau for Olivier on the final forward spot. Olivier provides more stability. And I think Egor Zamula beats out Christiansen for the seventh defenseman spot because of his offensive upside.
Brooke: Interesting take. Olivier vs Bezeau is tough. One is experience, one is youth. But I respect the choice for stability.
Tony: And regarding the goalies, Jet Greaves is the starter. Elvis Merzlikins is the backup. The three-year, $15 million contract for Greaves signals confidence. He’s ready.
Brooke: So, we’ve got Greaves in net, Werenski leading the blue line, and a crowded center ice group fighting for position. It’s going to be a wild preseason for the Blue Jackets.
Tony: Absolutely. And remember, our prediction stands: Kirill Marchenko scores on opening night against the Sabres. And we still believe they’ll finish 8th in the East and make the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
Brooke: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite platform. It helps more fans find the show. Thanks for listening, and Go Jackets!