Opening Night If Roster Stays as Is

Team: 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 5, 2022

Published: Aug. 5, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Johnson, Chinakhov (waiver exempt), Foudy (non-waiver exempt but already on AHL Roster) start season in the AHL for some development as the number of roster players we have is too large and we would lose players to waivers to have it any other way.

I believe that any of the top 3 centers could realistically slot into any of the top 3 roles, but think that Boone playing his netfront game with Johnny and Laine on the ice is dangerous.

Tex was fantastic with Kuraly and Robinson last year but he deserves a top 6 shot and Danforth was just as good slotting into that 4th line role when Tex was gone last year.

Very excited for Marchenko to join the roster and think that Gus would be a good linemate for Sillinger and Marchenko as they grow into the anchors for a future second line.

Marchenko can abosolutely develop into a PP threat but I have him as the next man to slot into one of the units currently.

Blankenburg should rotate him into the lineup. Since this is my prediction, I left him as a scratch but wouldn't mind seeing him worked into the lineup as the 3rd pairing LD even though its his off hand.

Jiricek stays in Czech Republic and may come over after the season but does not burn the first year of his ELC. Mateychuk and Svozil stay put as well where Svozil feeds Bedard some more and has his best year yet.

Gus gets moved at the deadline, Injuries happen, Johnson, Chinakhov, Foudy all make their ways to the big club by the end of the season.

Bold (Hopeful take) Marchenko finishes 4th in calder voting behind Beniers, Power, Sanderson

I would love to hear thoughts!