Fitting in Laine with an eye on the future

Forums/Armchair-GM

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Created by: benjgc

Team: 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 14, 2022

Published: Jul. 14, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Description

Seen a LOT of AGMs lately pushing all the chips to the middle, going after Miller/Chychrun and the like, trying to buy our way to a Cup within one year. This is, in my view, the wrong approach. Johnny is here for 7 years, and Patty will be here for 5 or 6, according to all reputable reporting. So the goal isn't to win a Cup in year 1, but rather, to win a Cup somewhere around year 3 or 4, once the kids have really blossomed. As such, this is an AGM reflecting that reality. I don't even think playoffs should be the main goal for 2022-23. Clear out the dead weight, set yourself up to go for a deep run when the kids are ready to outproduce their cap hits.

Lines: Voracek and Laine shouldn't share a line because they'd get caved in on defense, so Voracek is across from Johnny, with Jenner in the middle to anchor it (he's not really a 1C, but Sillinger isn't ready for that yet). Sillinger gets to center Patty and Bjorky, and that's gonna be FUN. Roslovic is best deployed on a scoring third line, and having Tex (who's solid in his own zone) and Marchenko with him does the trick. And our 4th line is gonna annoy the crap out of any opposing team with speed and peskiness. EDIT: after extensive feedback, swapping Laine to 1RW and Jake to 2LW. Still think you need the defensive responsibility of Jenner with that top line.

Defensive pairs: Well, Gudbranson gotta play SOMEWHERE, but I can't stomach having his slow legs with Z up top. So take a page out of Calgary's book and shelter him on 3rd pair, which also allows Bean a little more freedom to rove.

Extra notes: Nyquist and Bemstrom would be solid additions for the Sens, who are clearly making a strong push as well but still need to fill out their forward lines. Chinakhov and Blankenburg are crowded out of the Columbus roster, and since they don't need to clear waivers, off they go to Cleveland. Johnson is good enough to make the roster, but going to Cleveland allows him to get 1C minutes and experience, and I think that's the right move. Chances are that Foudy, TFW, and Gaunce would all clear waivers at this point; if Jarmo et al think they're likely to be claimed, I'd expect a trade for draft picks or other prospects.

Free Agent Signings

RFA	YEARS	CAP HIT
Laine, Patrik	6	$8,500,000
Blankenburg, Nick	2	$950,000
Fix-Wolansky, Trey	2	$850,000

Trades

CBJ

2024 2nd round pick (WSH)

Additional Details:

I feel like this is a good match. The Sens still have money to burn, and Nyquist's contract will expire at the end of the season, so they'll still have ample cap space to extend Cat and Stutzle. Bemstrom (who really doesn't have a good argument to be on the roster at this point) and the 4th are sweeteners, and Ottawa would still have a 2nd round pick in 2024 (of course, if they think they'll be better than the Caps at that point, they could include their own instead).

OTT

Bemström, Emil [RFA Rights]
Nyquist, Gustav
2024 4th round pick (CBJ)

Buyouts

Alexander Wennberg: $441,667

Draft	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7
2023
2024
2025

ROSTER

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK

EMBED

TEXT-EMBED

ROSTER SIZE	SALARY CAP	CAP HIT	OVERAGES	BONUSES	CAP SPACE
22	$82,500,000	$76,845,833	$0	$1,275,000	$5,654,167

Left Wing	Centre	Right Wing
Gaudreau, Johnny $9,750,000$9,750,000 LW NMC UFA - 7	Jenner, Boone $3,750,000$3,750,000 C, LW M-NTC UFA - 4	Laine, Patrik $8,500,000$8,500,000 C, RW, LW UFA - 4
Voracek, Jakub $8,250,000$8,250,000 RW, LW UFA - 2	Sillinger, Cole $925,000$925,000 ($850,000$850K) C RFA - 2	Bjorkstrand, Oliver $5,400,000$5,400,000 RW, LW M-NTC UFA - 4
	Roslovic, Jack $2,000,000$2,000,000 C, RW UFA - 2	Marchenko, Kirill $925,000$925,000 ($425,000$425K) RW RFA - 2
Texier, Alexandre $1,525,000$1,525,000 LW, C, RW RFA - 2	Kuraly, Sean $2,500,000$2,500,000 C, LW M-NTC UFA - 3	Danforth, Justin $975,000$975,000 RW, C UFA - 2
Robinson, Eric $1,600,000$1,600,000 LW UFA - 2

Left Defense	Right Defense	Goaltender
Werenski, Zachary $9,583,333$9,583,333 LD UFA - 6	Peeke, Andrew $787,500$787,500 RD UFA - 1	Merzlikins, Elvis $5,400,000$5,400,000 G M-NTC UFA - 5
	Boqvist, Adam $2,600,000$2,600,000 RD RFA - 3	Korpisalo, Joonas $1,300,000$1,300,000 G UFA - 1
Gavrikov, Vladislav $2,800,000$2,800,000 LD UFA - 1	Gudbranson, Erik $4,000,000$4,000,000 RD M-NTC UFA - 4
Bean, Jake $2,333,333$2,333,333 LD/RD RFA - 2

Scratches	Injured Reserve (IR)	Long Term IR (LTIR)
Olivier, Mathieu $750,000$750,000 RW UFA - 1
Bayreuther, Gavin $750,000$750,000 LD/RD UFA - 1

Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:47 p.m.

benjgc

Joined: Mar. 2019

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Seeking feedback @viqsi @Ajp_18 @dopplsan

Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:47 p.m.

benjgc

Thread Starter

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Likes: 888

@dk325 @The_Cannon @pocke

Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:48 p.m.

benjgc

Thread Starter

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@AndrewPawlack @squashmaple

Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:51 p.m.

Friendly_Cannon

Joined: Aug. 2019

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I don’t know about team picked as they just moved out brown. However I think the package is solid. Flip laine or bjorkstrand with voracek on the lines. Other than that I think this is solid. Johnny is more of a playmaker, so putting him with Jake would be 1000 assists per shift and would put their opponents to sleep with no shots on goal.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:52 p.m.

Friendly_Cannon

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I will also add very well thought out. Nice job

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:54 p.m.

benjgc

Thread Starter

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Quoting: The_Cannon

I thought about that, but unless we're comfortable putting Jake or Ollie at 2LW (both of them being better suited to RW), and moving Patty to RW (though he's been best on the left wing), I think it's risky. Still, I wouldn't hate a 13-38-29 top line with 93-34-28 behind them.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:58 p.m.

FilthyMitts05

Future GM

Joined: Jun. 2019

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Tbh if it works out this team could make playoffs and maybe even clear to the second round.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:59 p.m.

Friendly_Cannon

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Quoting: benjgc

I like that much better than having 2 snipers and 2 playmakers on the same lines.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 4:59 p.m.

dk325

Dolzhenkov Is Coming

Joined: Mar. 2022

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I agree the way forward is probably a lot more measured than the more crazy takes, mine included, that have been proposed in the last 24 hours. There's just a lot of energy around the fanbase at the moment and Jarmo has once again left us all speechless with what he's able to accomplish. I like the lines mostly. I think Sillinger probably continues to be brought along slowly on the 3rd line, but maybe with a bit higher toi/game this year. Maybe a bit more money would be needed to get Laine locked up. Overall though, I just can't wait for Jiricek, Ceulemans and Mateychuk to come in and solidify the defense in a few years. It's a great time to be a CBJ fan.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:01 p.m.

#10

benjgc

Thread Starter

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Quoting: FilthyMitts05

Tbh if it works out this team could make playoffs and maybe even clear to the second round.

It could! But our blue line is still leaky, and I think it's more likely they endure some growing pains; still quite a young squad. Of course, if we missed the playoffs and Bettman wanted to add some intrigue, he could help us with some lottery luck to get a Bedard/Fantilli to play up the middle and build a Midwestern powerhouse that ISN'T tainted by horrific scandals.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:08 p.m.

#11

Ajp_18

Joined: Mar. 2018

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I wouldn’t put Voracek and Gaudreau together, they both need the puck to be most effective, but I agree that Laine and Voracek together aren’t a good combo. So I would switch them and put Laine with Gaudreau and Roslovic, then Voracek with Sillinger and Bjorkstrand, line 3 being Marchenko, Jenner and Texier or chinakov.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:11 p.m.

#12

benjgc

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Quoting: Ajp_18

Roslovic at 1C is a swing, but one I'm willing to take if he can continue to develop his two-way game. Swapping my wingers now.

Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:12 p.m.

#13

Ajp_18

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Quoting: benjgc

Roslovic at 1C is a swing, but one I'm willing to take if he can continue to develop his two-way game. Swapping my wingers now.

Jenner as a 1c is a swing too, it’s like Hartman with Zucarello and KK97 in Minnesota.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:14 p.m.

#14

benjgc

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Quoting: Ajp_18

Jenner as a 1c is a swing too, it’s like Hartman with Zucarello and KK97 in Minnesota.

True! Leaving this as is for the moment, but wouldn't be surprised if Lars decides to follow your line of logic. [Side note: if any coach in the league can get the absolute least out of a PP1 that features Laine, Gaudreau, and Werenski, it's Larsen. Hoo boy.)

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:20 p.m.

#15

Ajp_18

Joined: Mar. 2018

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Quoting: benjgc

I actually think pp1 could be good, Jenner in front, Laine Voracek, Gaudreau across the middle and Werenski at the point. PP2 with Bjorkstrand, Roslovic, Sillinger, Johnson, Marchenko, Chinakov, Bean and Boqvist has a ton of options depending who’s healthy and up with the team.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:21 p.m.

#16

benjgc

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Quoting: Ajp_18

Oh, I think the talent is there for sure. The coaching, on the other hand...

Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:25 p.m.

#17

Ajp_18

Joined: Mar. 2018

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Quoting: benjgc

Oh, I think the talent is there for sure. The coaching, on the other hand...

I have a feeling that Larson isn’t the coach next season if he fails this season. I have a feeling we go after Burnette after Florida hired his replacement this offseason vs giving him the team.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:39 p.m.

#18

Book_Hockey

Joined: Sep. 2019

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Quoting: Ajp_18

I have a feeling that Larson isn’t the coach next season if he fails this season. I have a feeling we go after Burnette after Florida hired his replacement this offseason vs giving him the team.

Brunette signed as an assistant in Jersey and is in all likelihood going to be the coach next season with Lindy moving to a management roll

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:41 p.m.

#19

benjgc

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Quoting: Ajp_18

I have a feeling that Larson isn’t the coach next season if he fails this season. I have a feeling we go after Burnette after Florida hired his replacement this offseason vs giving him the team.

Let's hire Gronborg and be legends. DO IT, JARMO.

Jul. 14, 2022 at 5:58 p.m.

#20

dopplsan

Nah.

Joined: Sep. 2020

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Quoting: The_Cannon

I will also add very well thought out. Nice job

Agreed.

And yeah, this more or less tracks on my line of thinking. Jarmo and JD got their extensions, they don't need to rush things. This isn't Panarin and Bob on their way out - you don't have one year to win it all, you have (hopefully) seven.

I like the move with Gus, though the more I've ruminated on it, the more I've liked moving Jake, even if it means retaining $2M or so - even knowing Jarmo is not in favor of long-term retaining. ANA is a sneaky team that I think could benefit from a Jake Voracek in their lineup - stupid amounts of cap space, lots of roster spots to fill, and a very young roster that could benefit from the "veteran presence." Package him with a decent prospect or pick-swap, and I think it'd be worth it. Moving him or Gus frees up the roster spot, but moving him buys us the additional year/ space. Then again, I like the idea of Jake in the T6 more than I do Gus, and it would likely lead to some shuffling for that last T6 spot.

Re: our Cs, Rosy meshed well with Jake and Laine (which may have goosed his numbers a bit), and I could see him holding the fort as a 1C. JG is an uber talented playmaker (a la Panarin) whose passing skills can compliment his C, which I think will help whoever his C is, be it Rosy, Silly, or Boone. After all, it's not exactly like Elias Lindholm's numbers screamed top line center, either - 21-22 and 18-19 excepted, his play and production has been good, not great.

All told, I think outside of the 4th line and Gaudreau on the top line, every F spot is up for debate.

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Jul. 14, 2022 at 6:07 p.m.

#21

benjgc

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Quoting: dopplsan

Re: our Cs, Rosy meshed well with Jake and Laine (which may have goosed his numbers a bit), and I could see him holding the fort as a 1C. JG is an uber talented playmaker (a la Panarin) whose passing skills can compliment his C, which I think will help whoever his C is, be it Rosy, Silly, or Boone. After all, it's not exactly like Elias Lindholm's numbers screamed top line center, either - 21-22 and 18-19 excepted, his play and production has been good, not great.

All told, I think outside of the 4th line and Gaudreau on the top line, every F spot is up for debate.

If I stick with Gus as the odd man out rather than Jake, I can absolutely get behind an Opening Night lineup of:

13 - 96 - 29
93 - 34 - 28
42 - 38 - 86 (Marchenko)
50 - 7 - 17

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