Training Camp Preview — Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Jackets made about a big a move as a team can make in 2016-17 and there is excitement heading into Training Camp this season with the possibility of an even better (on paper at least) team this season.

The Jackets will open camp on Thursday (Sept. 14, 2017) with 60 players (34 forwards, 21 defense and five goaltenders) taking part.

The Jackets were one of only two teams to allow less than 200 goals (195) last season, having transformed its defense with the trade for Seth Jones and the emergence of rookie defender Zach Werenski.

Forwards

The 249 goals for also ranked sixth best in the league, but that was a ‘by committee’ deal with only Cam Atkinson (35), Nick Foligno (26) and the now departed Brandon Said (24) surpassing the 20-goal plateau. There were three others within striking distance though as Boone Jenner and Sam Gagner both put up 18 and Josh Anderson added 17.

Help will come from the other side of the Said trade with Chicago – Artemi Panarin, who could combine with Atkinson and whichever center is lucky enough to play pivot between them to from a line with similar potential that he had in Chicago with Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov. Alexander Wennberg has a shot at that role as does Brandon Dubinsky.

Coach Tortorella could also look to split Atkinson and Panarin, looking for the same line 1A and 1B approach that has benefited the Hawks in recent season.

The team is expected to take a long look at Pierre-Luc Dubois its First Round (3^rd Overall) pick in 2016 and while likely a longshot, Vitaly Abramov, 19, from Russia, coming off a 104-point (46g, 58a) season at Gatineau of the QMJHL last season turned some heads at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament which wrapped up on Tuesday (Sept. 12, 2017).

There are several others from the 2015-16 Calder Cup Championship team with the Cleveland Monsters that have shown signs of unlocking big offensive campaigns as well. The Jackets should once again be among the elite when it comes to scoring this season.

Defense

After years of being the team’s Achilles heel, the defense is suddenly among the best. By putting Jones and Werenski at the 1-2 positions, it has taken pressure off defenseman David Savard, Jack Johnson, Ryan Murray and others who are much more comfortable in the support roles. The Blue Jackets added Kyle Quincey late last season, but lost him over the summer to the Wild on free agency. That should opened the door for more ice time for  Markus Nutivaara, and Cameron Gaunce, added as a free agent from Pittsburgh.

Goaltenders

There is no battle here – at least at this level. Barring unforeseen events, Sergei Bobrovsky will once again lead the Blue Jackets while Joonas Korpisalo will be there to come when needed.

The battle could begin when Matiss Kivlenieks and Ivan Kulbakov, both added as free agents following stellar runs in the USHL arriving in Cleveland along with veteran Brad Thiessen. The most interesting part of this is the Blue Jackets do not have an ECHL affiliate this season. Could they run a three-goalie rotation of some sort in Cleveland? Unlikely. Because of that, it could be tough for the odd man out to find crease time in an ‘on loan’ position.

The Jackets will begin pre-season play against Chicago on Tuesday (Sept. 19) and will continue to play a total of eight games – home and home sets with the Hawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators, before opening the NHL regular season on Oct. 6 on home ice against the New York Islanders.