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What do the Jackets need?

November 30, 2020, 2:08 PM ET [13 Comments]
Thomas Townsend
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
This, my friends, is a loaded question, with an obvious answer. Scoring. We all know that the Jackets have a strong blue line and solid goaltending. The missing piece is scoring enough goals to win games.

A season ago the Jackets managed only 180 goals in 70 games. Detroit and Los Angles were the only two teams behind them in that category. It is noteworthy that Dallas to only scored 180 goals while managing 4 additional wins and an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. But, realistically, 2.57 goals per game isn't going to result in winning hockey very often. This is an expected problem when you lose your top scorer (Panarin). Maybe it just took an adjustment year and the others on the roster will pick up the slack in 2021.

But what is really different on the 2021 roster from the final 2020 roster?

The big, and obvious piece is that Josh Anderson is out and Max Domi is in. That move seems to be about equal except for the position switch. The Jackets got some much needed depth at center in Domi. He not only has the goal scoring ability but, should also contribute to his line mates goal totals as well. Given Anderson's 2019-2020 output, Domi should be a lock as an upgrade.

Murray and Nutivaara will be missing from the blue line. Murray, much like Anderson, was great when 100% healthy, but often was not. It is almost certain that Murray will be a top four defenseman if not a top pair defensemen in 2021. His health, as always, is the only question. Nutivaara was the odd-man-out in Columbus. There were too many guys that served the same role on the Jackets roster. He will continue to develop and likely be a #3 or #4 defenseman.

What does their departure mean for Columbus? The top pair may be the best in the game with Jones and Zach. The second pair isn't much of a let down, especially in the defensive zone with Savard and Gavrikov. The third line is likely to consist of Kukan and either Peeke or Harrington, with depth provided by Clendening and Carlsson. There is still a decent amount of depth in the D-corp but not quite as talented depth as 2020.

Gerbe was a late addition to the roster for the CBJ in 2020 that added quite a spark. Koivu is the veteran presence added in the offseason. Another addition for 2021 will be Brandon Dubinsky. He should be back from injury, but wasn't performing at the level many Jackets fans expected. My assumption was that he would be placed on long term injured reserve (LTIR) but that seems less likely now that he is the subject of trade rumors. Another addition from within should be Liam Foudy. He played bubble hockey during the 2020 playoffs, so one would believe he has the inside track to find himself on the opening-day roster.

Stenlund should also be considered to fill a roster spot too. There is an outside chance we see Fix-Wolansky, but in a limited role and as fill-in time for an injured or underperforming forward.

An unexpected (kind of) but, not permanent, departure from the roster is Gus Nyquist. This was a very prudent and substantial addition in the 2019 offseason. He may join the Jackets before season's end, but has a long recovery from shoulder surgery.

And last-but-not-least Wennberg will not be back in the Union Blue. After two lack-luster seasons of perpetual underperformance he was bought out. There were high (probably unfair) expectations for him and his contributions didn't match up. He will be a good (not great) support player, but doesn't have the real potential to be a highly productive #2 center as was once believed.

Here is a first (and very rough) draft of a potential CBJ line up in 2021:

Tex - PLD - Cam
??? - Domi - Bjork
Jenner - Koivu - Foligno
Robinson - Nash - Bemstrom

What do you do with: Stenlund, Dubi, Foudy and Gerbe (and maybe Grigorenko)

As you can see I have a big '?' at the second LW spot (Gus' position). My thought is that you could put Bemstrom there and replace him with Foudy/Gerbe or move Jenner up a line with Foudy/Gerbe sliding in at 3LW.

Defense is much easier:

Seth & Zach
Savard & Gavrikov
Kukan & Peeke

Harrington would rotate in with Kukan and Peeke until that pair gets solidified.

Goalie would be a 1A/1B situation:

1A Korpi
1B Elvis

That could switch at any point depending on who is hot (or injured).

In conclusion, what the CBJ need is a healthy Gus and another primary scorer. And they need to give Dubi away for a bag of peanuts (which means they will have to retain at least 1/2 his salary). Oh, and they need to ink PLD to his new deal, maybe with a term longer than 3 years (please).

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays...

Good Luck and Go Jackets!
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