Brooke: Adam Fantilli just signed a massive six-year, $82.5 million extension, and Zach Werenski is ready to clear the air with his own fanbase. If you think this offseason was quiet, you haven’t been paying attention.
Tony: It has not been quiet at all. We are deep in preseason, the roster is reshaped, and the Metropolitan Division standings are already shifting under our feet.
Brooke: Welcome to today’s edition of the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down everything Columbus Blue Jackets fans need to know before puck drop on October first against Buffalo. I’m Brooke, and I’m here with Tony.
Tony: Hey everyone. Today is a mailbag episode, so we are pulling directly from your questions to tackle the biggest storylines heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Brooke: We have three big topics coming up. First, we’re breaking down what that new contract means for Adam Fantilli’s role on the top line. Second, we’re answering your burning questions about the defensive depth chart and the goaltending battle. And third, we’ve got a fun hypothetical scenario about the upcoming matchup against Detroit that we touched on yesterday.
Tony: We also need to address the elephant in the room regarding Zach Werenski and why he believes the fans are still behind him despite a turbulent summer.
Brooke: Let’s get right into it. First question comes from Marcus in Columbus. He asks: 'With Fantilli locked in long-term, how does this change the lineup construction for the start of the season?' Tony, walk us through the center ice situation.
Tony: Well, Marcus, it simplifies things significantly. You have Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger, Isac Lundestrom, Charlie Coyle, Sean Monahan, and even Luca Del Bel Belluz and Cayden Lindstrom pushing for minutes. The core four are clearly Fantilli, Johnson, Sillinger, and Lundestrom.
Brooke: But where does Fantilli fit? He’s a high-end two-way center who needs quality wingers to maximize his offensive upside. Do you see him paired with Valeri Nichushkin or Kirill Marchenko?
Tony: I think you look at the recent performance against Detroit. Valeri Nichushkin had a two-point performance there, showing he can drive play. Pairing Fantilli with Nichushkin gives you speed, size, and finishing ability. It creates a lethal forecheck that teams will struggle to handle.
Brooke: And what about the second line? Kent Johnson is coming off a strong stretch, and you have Conor Garland and Miles Wood available as wingers. How do you balance that chemistry?
Tony: You want versatility. Garland brings skill and net-front presence, while Wood brings physicality and penalty killing reliability. Johnson can play with either, but I think starting him with Garland allows for more creative zone entries and puck possession in the neutral zone.
Brooke: Wait, did you just say you prefer Garland over Danton Heinen for that specific role? Because Heinen is an elite playmaker.
Tony: Heinen is fantastic, absolutely. But Garland offers a different dimension defensively and in tight spaces. Against a team like Buffalo, you want someone who can win board battles consistently. That’s the tactical nuance.
Brooke: Fair point. Let’s move to another question. This one is from @BuckeyeHockey88. They ask: 'Zach Werenski says he thinks fans are still on his side. With all the rumors and the cap implications, is there any truth to the idea that he might be moved?'
Tony: That is a heavy question. Look, Zach Werenski is a franchise cornerstone. He is one of the best defensemen in hockey. When he says he believes fans are on his side, he knows the loyalty of this city. There is no indication from the front office that he is being shopped.
Brooke: So, is it safe to assume he starts next to Ivan Provorov on the top pairing?
Tony: Almost certainly. Provorov and Werenski give you two elite shot-blockers and transition players. The issue isn't moving Werenski; the issue is managing the minutes and ensuring he stays healthy alongside Damon Severson and Carson Soucy on the backend.
Brooke: Let’s pivot to the blue line depth. Sarah from Cleveland asks: 'With Erik Gudbranson and Brendan Smith back, do we have enough young talent to challenge for playing time?'
Tony: Sarah, you’re looking at Dante Fabbro, Denton Mateychuk, Egor Zamula, Caleb MacDonald, and Jake Christiansen. Yes, there is depth. But it’s a mix of experience and youth. Fabbro brings veteran stability, while Mateychuk and Zamula offer offensive upside from the point.
Brooke: And the goaltending situation? Elvis Merzlikins is injured, which we discussed yesterday. Who is starting against Buffalo?
Tony: Cam Talbot likely gets the nod to start. Pyotr Andreyanov and Jet Greaves are in the mix, but Talbot provides the steady hand needed for the opening series. Parker Snell and Melvin Strahl are there for development, but the job is between Talbot and whoever else is healthy.
Brooke: Okay, so Talbot opens. That puts pressure on the defense to minimize high-danger chances. Tony, let’s talk about that defensive structure.
Tony: Exactly. If you’re relying on Talbot early, you cannot afford turnovers in the neutral zone. You need disciplined zone exits and a heavy forecheck to keep the puck out of their end. That’s how you protect a backup goalie.
Brooke: Great breakdown. Before we move on, we need to take a quick moment to talk about keeping this show running. We love bringing you these detailed, fact-based analyses every single day, but producing this level of content takes resources.
Tony: If you value getting straight answers without the fluff, consider supporting the network. Your contribution helps us stay independent and keep the coverage free for everyone.
Brooke: Check out the link in the episode description to chip in. Every bit helps us keep the mic open for fans like you.
Brooke: Welcome back. We’re diving deeper into the roster battles. James in Cincinnati sends in a question about the forward lines. He wants to know: 'Where do Ryan Lomberg and Mikael Pyyhtia fit in the pecking order?'
Tony: Lomberg is a fourth-line grinder. He’s there to kill penalties, win hits, and provide energy. Pyyhtia is younger, more skilled. He’s probably pushing for third-line minutes if he can translate his training camp performance into regular-season ice time.
Brooke: And Dmitri Voronkov? He’s a big body, but does he have the pace to compete at this level right now?
Tony: Voronkov is raw. He’s got size, sure, but he needs to refine his game. He’s likely competing for a spot in the AHL or as a fourth-line winger who can occasionally play bigger minutes. He’s not a lock for the top six.
Brooke: What about the right wing group? You have Riley Bezeau, James Fisher, Mathieu Olivier, and Valeri Nichushkin. That’s a crowded house.
Tony: Nichushkin is the anchor. Bezeau and Fisher are young prospects pushing hard. Olivier is a veteran presence who can play physical hockey. It’s a competition for those bottom-six spots.
Brooke: Let’s go to Twitter again. @JacketsFan2026 asks: 'How important is special teams going to be this year? We struggled last season.'
Tony: Critical. Special teams make or break playoff races. You have Werenski and Provorov on the power play unit, which means you have serious shooting threat. But you need clean entries. If you’re dumping and chasing, you’re dead in the water.
Brooke: And the penalty kill? You have Miles Wood and Charlie Coyle, who are both strong defenders. That should help.
Tony: Absolutely. Coyle and Wood bring discipline. They don’t take stupid penalties, and when they do, they’re good at killing them. That’s a huge upgrade from previous iterations of the team.
Brooke: One more from Lisa in Dayton. She asks: 'Peter Quenneville is listed on the roster as a center. Is he actually going to play, or is this just a transactional listing?'
Tony: That is... unusual. Peter Quenneville is on the roster, but given the depth we have with Fantilli, Johnson, Sillinger, etc., he’s likely a depth option or a practice player. Don’t expect him to be logging significant minutes unless there’s a mass injury crisis.
Brooke: Right, it’s a strange inclusion. Maybe he’s there for specific face-off situations or locker room leadership. But realistically, he’s far down the chain.
Tony: Agreed. The focus remains on the core four centers. Quenneville is just filling space for now.
Brooke: Alright, let’s shift gears. We’ve covered the contracts, the injuries, and the depth charts. Now for some fun. What if the Blue Jackets could pick one rule change for the entire league for one season? What would you choose, Tony?
Tony: I’d want to eliminate the offside trap entirely. Just allow the icing to be non-hybrid. It speeds up the game and rewards skill over brute force.
Brooke: Oh, that would be chaotic. I’d go for smaller nets. Just for fun. Make goalies work harder.
Tony: Smaller nets would favor shooters like Fantilli and Provorov. Actually, that works for us.
Brooke: Lightning round! Name three players who will score 20+ goals this season.
Tony: Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko, and Valeri Nichushkin.
Brooke: Name three players who will lead the league in penalty minutes.
Tony: Miles Wood, Ryan Lomberg, and Erik Gudbranson.
Brooke: Who wins the Stanley Cup?
Tony: The Blue Jackets. Obviously.
Brooke: Bold prediction. Okay, let’s wrap this up. We’ve talked about Fantilli’s big deal, Werenski’s standing, the defensive depth, and the goaltending outlook.
Tony: It’s a pivotal time for the franchise. The foundation is set. Now it’s about execution.
Brooke: If you enjoyed this mailbag, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. It helps more fans find the show.
Tony: Thanks for listening. Keep the faith, Blue Jackets fans.
Brooke: Go Jackets!