Line Combos: CBJ Roster Discussion/Line Combos/Injury Report

[majormajor]

One loose thought that I have had is if Olivier won't re-sign, could he possibly be included in a package along with a 1st for Brandon Carlo? Probably not, but there were reports of talks between the Bruins and the Blue Jackets for Carlo before Fabbro became available. If that were to happen, they could roll the following D core after the TDL:
Werenski-Carlo
Mateychuk-Fabbro
Christiansen-Severson

Otherwise, it'll probably have to wait until the off-season, unless they acquire someone like K'André Miller.

One thing that does annoy me terribly after the Jiricek trade is looking at all the good defensive RHD that were available this summer, particularly Roy, DeMelo and Pesce. With that said, CBJ probably wouldn't have Fabbro in thar case.

I will not be even thinking about any Olivier trades. That would be too painful.

Carlo is intriguing. He's also been very finicky over the years in terms of which D he can be paired with. I'd also question whether a big stay at home guy like him is actually what Werenski needs. It's paradoxical, but a more active D-partner allows Werenski to move more in the offensive zone, because all 5 men can rotate with the play as needed.

 

[VT]

This table shows that chemistry is the most important. If the chemistry doesn't exist, the individual qualities of the players won't help either.

Btw, but I have to do something about the second line. Jenner is not getting younger anymore and is often injured, Chinachov is also injury prone. We need a veteran to complement Johnson and Fantilli, Yegor has great chemistry with Sillinger, we can take advantage of that.

 

[VT]

Werenski-Carlo
Mateychuk-Fabbro
Christiansen-Severson

I hope we can trade Severson. From what I've seen (admittedly not much anymore, so I could be wrong), Provorov and Mateychuk play very well together. Let's not forget about Gudbranson.

Werenski, Fabbro
Mateychuk, Provorov
Christiansen, Gudbranson/a veteran

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

I hope we can trade Severson. From what I've seen (admittedly not much anymore, so I could be wrong), Provorov and Mateychuk play very well together. Let's not forget about Gudbranson.

Werenski, Fabbro
Mateychuk, Provorov
Christiansen, Gudbranson/a veteran

Severson is not going anywhere. I don't think Provorov, with the deal he's going to get, is going to be the right guy for Columbus moving forward. He should be moved at the TDL regardless of where CBJ are in the standings.

 

[VT]

Severson is not going anywhere.

Miracles are happening, so

I don't think Provorov, with the deal he's going to get, is going to be the right guy for Columbus moving forward. He should be moved at the TDL regardless of where CBJ are in the standings.

It depends on the agreement and the offer.

 

[CBJ goalie]

Severson is not going anywhere. I don't think Provorov, with the deal he's going to get, is going to be the right guy for Columbus moving forward. He should be moved at the TDL regardless of where CBJ are in the standings.

Anyone can be traded.
Not easy, but Severson could be moved. If he keeps getting healthy scratches, he might even request a trade.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

Anyone can be traded.
Not easy, but Severson could be moved. If he keeps getting healthy scratches, he might even request a trade.

Sure. But I don't see it for the foreseeable future.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

I hope we can trade Severson. From what I've seen (admittedly not much anymore, so I could be wrong), Provorov and Mateychuk play very well together. Let's not forget about Gudbranson.

Werenski, Fabbro
Mateychuk, Provorov
Christiansen, Gudbranson/a veteran

imo a provorov trade is inevitable and a gudbranson trade in the summer is a lot more likely than a severson one, so i think we're looking at something like:

​

werenski - fabbro​

mateychuk - TBD1​

TBD2 - severson​

​

the TBD1 spot would likely be a big trade for someone like a brandon carlo or k'andre miller (in which case mateychuk would play on the right). the TBD2 spot would be either a UFA, cap dump veteran, or an in-house guy like hunt or harris.

christiansen is a nice story but in this scenario he's more likely to be a #7 or be off the roster entirely. the staff clearly doesn't trust him right now and ideally that TBD2 spot would go to someone who checks some of the boxes jack johnson does (size, experience, PK) while also being an actual NHL level hockey player.

 

[VT]

imo a provorov trade is inevitable and a gudbranson trade in the summer is a lot more likely than a severson one, so i think we're looking at something like:

​

werenski - fabbro​

mateychuk - TBD1​

TBD2 - severson​

​

the TBD1 spot would likely be a big trade for someone like a brandon carlo or k'andre miller (in which case mateychuk would play on the right). the TBD2 spot would be either a UFA, cap dump veteran, or an in-house guy like hunt or harris.

christiansen is a nice story but in this scenario he's more likely to be a #7 or be off the roster entirely. the staff clearly doesn't trust him right now and ideally that TBD2 spot would go to someone who checks some of the boxes jack johnson does (size, experience, PK) while also being an actual NHL level hockey player.

Severson je terrible. Provorov can play RD.

 

[DankoCBJ]

I think Gudbranson stays. I would imagine that Evason likes him as a third pair guy playing PK and showing some physicality out there. We are not trading Gudbranson, atleast before trade deadline 2026.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

imo a provorov trade is inevitable and a gudbranson trade in the summer is a lot more likely than a severson one, so i think we're looking at something like:

​

werenski - fabbro​

mateychuk - TBD1​

TBD2 - severson​

​

the TBD1 spot would likely be a big trade for someone like a brandon carlo or k'andre miller (in which case mateychuk would play on the right). the TBD2 spot would be either a UFA, cap dump veteran, or an in-house guy like hunt or harris.

christiansen is a nice story but in this scenario he's more likely to be a #7 or be off the roster entirely. the staff clearly doesn't trust him right now and ideally that TBD2 spot would go to someone who checks some of the boxes jack johnson does (size, experience, PK) while also being an actual NHL level hockey player.

They can afford to keep Gudbranson as the 7D and I believe that they will, given his role in the locker room.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

Severson je terrible. Provorov can play RD.

provorov's going to get something like 7x7 and much as i like him as a player i don't think that's a good idea.

severson is terrible but he was very good in NJ when they let him be the nominal #5 defenseman. recreating that scenario for him here seems like the best way to make lemonade out of this particular lemon.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[Viqsi]

Well, Trotz has been intent on burning Nashville to the ground and I did hear Evangelista was struggling at the start of the season. But that might be too much even for Trotz. And I think he got going. I can't see him being available. What do you say, @Viqsi?

He's #2 in the dead pool after Novak. I'd keep an eye out.

 

[Forepar]

On Höglander, he wouldn't cost us anything. He's having a brutal year and his contract extension is $3m x 3 starting next year. The Canucks might even pay us to take him. I'm not sure if I would take him, there is risk with his injury history that he's not going to last.

On the question of spending assets, we have an overflowing treasure trove of prospects, a lot of B level guys that we won't have ice time for. I wouldn't mind trading one or two to get veterans who can better support the young guys we have in the NHL lineup right now. I don't like the situation we are putting KJ and Fantilli in.



Our goals against is from the way our whole team plays, it's not individual D-men. Now if we made a huge defensive upgrade with a Pelech / McDonagh type, that would be different, but that's a very expensive proposition. I'd be very excited for that sort of move but I doubt it's something Wads can pull off in the short run.

By comparison, one or two good veterans could inexpensively fix our bottom 9 scoring problem. And that would potentially help our goals against if that group spends more time in the offensive zone.

^^^^ I agree with the bolded bigtime.

A post or two prior, MM posted that with a small bump in secondary scoring, this is a playoff team.
That threw me - it is probably a true statement, but that comment, in a vaccum, made me wonder about where I thought MM had been - I thought MM was on the longer-term goal of building a SC contender in the not-to-distant future, not so much getting to the playoffs this year.

HOWEVER, with additional postings, I see MM's overall focus is still on properly developing/utilizing KJ and Fantilli - which is as much a part of that bigger-picture goal than anything else. Acquiring the appropriate vet or two to help those two (and other young players) makes sense, especially when looking at linemates assigned to KJ and Fantilli in recent months. If such a move also gets CBJ over the hump in grabbing a playoff spot sooner than planned (i.e. this year), that's icing on the cake that I will gladly take!

I think getting Chinakov and Jenner back into the lineup would help KJ, Fantilli and others immensely. But the timeline for Jenner coming back as a vet is too far out for my liking with regard to getting KJ and Fantilli moving forward again (even with the 2-week February break). They both would benefit from help sooner than that.

 

[MoeBartoli]

^^^^ I agree with the bolded bigtime.

A post or two prior, MM posted that with a small bump in secondary scoring, this is a playoff team.
That threw me - it is probably a true statement, but that comment, in a vaccum, made me wonder about where I thought MM had been - I thought MM was on the longer-term goal of building a SC contender in the not-to-distant future, not so much getting to the playoffs this year.

HOWEVER, with additional postings, I see MM's overall focus is still on properly developing/utilizing KJ and Fantilli - which is as much a part of that bigger-picture goal than anything else. Acquiring the appropriate vet or two to help those two (and other young players) makes sense, especially when looking at linemates assigned to KJ and Fantilli in recent months. If such a move also gets CBJ over the hump in grabbing a playoff spot sooner than planned (i.e. this year), that's icing on the cake that I will gladly take!

I think getting Chinakov and Jenner back into the lineup would help KJ, Fantilli and others immensely. But the timeline for Jenner coming back as a vet is too far out for my liking with regard to getting KJ and Fantilli moving forward again (even with the 2-week February break). They both would benefit from help sooner than that.

This is on the mark IMO, but I don’t think the player development and playoff goal are mutually exclusive if it’s done correctly. A return of Chinakov adds a top 6 forward. But with Boone’s return date still several months away, we are still short a middle 6 forward.

Yes this team needs to add a goalie and top 4 DMan, but that’s easier to address in the off-season while a forward can be added now.

Danforth’s return as the 4th line center that would allow Kuraly to be moved for a draft pick. That’s an asset that can be added for a forward. Along with Kuraly, the Jackets should be looking to prune from a group of Lebanc, ZAR, and JVR. (Pyythia is young enough I didn’t include him).

MM has mentioned Nyquist, a mid-cost player. While maybe not Nyquist, someone of a similar profile who is affordable but can provide scoring and defense. (I’d love to see Bjorkstrand, both signed thru only 24-26 and seemingly out of favor with their respective clubs. However their trade cost may be greater than we should spend.)

Too bad Boone won’t be back earlier as his presence would solve our immediate top 9 void and establish a 2nd and 3rd line that provides secondary scoring while giving KJ and Fantilli linemates that help their scoring and confidence.

 

[alphafox]

^^^^ I agree with the bolded bigtime.

A post or two prior, MM posted that with a small bump in secondary scoring, this is a playoff team.
That threw me - it is probably a true statement, but that comment, in a vaccum, made me wonder about where I thought MM had been - I thought MM was on the longer-term goal of building a SC contender in the not-to-distant future, not so much getting to the playoffs this year.

HOWEVER, with additional postings, I see MM's overall focus is still on properly developing/utilizing KJ and Fantilli - which is as much a part of that bigger-picture goal than anything else. Acquiring the appropriate vet or two to help those two (and other young players) makes sense, especially when looking at linemates assigned to KJ and Fantilli in recent months. If such a move also gets CBJ over the hump in grabbing a playoff spot sooner than planned (i.e. this year), that's icing on the cake that I will gladly take!

I think getting Chinakov and Jenner back into the lineup would help KJ, Fantilli and others immensely. But the timeline for Jenner coming back as a vet is too far out for my liking with regard to getting KJ and Fantilli moving forward again (even with the 2-week February break). They both would benefit from help sooner than that.

I really think that at this point we need to lean into our strength. We have an above average forward corps. We should push chips in to make our scoring as deadly and effective as possible even at the expense our current D. We can fix the D in the offseason, the important part is to maximize the forward corps and its our one long shot to actually win the wild card. Making a deep scoring threat would be a huge win, Maybe something like the below or better if we are able to take a big swing for a major distressed asset like Pettersson/Miller, Zibanjed/Kreidier, etc:

Voronkov-Monahan-Marchenko
Chinakov-Sillinger-KJ
Jenner-Fantilli-Trade Target
Zar-Kuraly-Olivier

 

[cbjthrowaway]

I wouldn't mind trading one or two to get veterans who can better support the young guys we have in the NHL lineup right now. I don't like the situation we are putting KJ and Fantilli in.

we even have a recent use case to point to for this!

cole sillinger's rookie year saw him play extensive minutes with jakub voracek, max domi and oliver bjorkstrand. in his sophomore slump year, it was a lot of chinakhov, johnson and foudy.

imo they should go shopping for a veteran middle-six forward, ideally a righty. jg pageau would make a lot of sense if they can get him to waive the NTC.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Provorov and Olivier listed, to nobody’s surprise

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[majormajor]

^^^^ I agree with the bolded bigtime.

A post or two prior, MM posted that with a small bump in secondary scoring, this is a playoff team.
That threw me - it is probably a true statement, but that comment, in a vaccum, made me wonder about where I thought MM had been - I thought MM was on the longer-term goal of building a SC contender in the not-to-distant future, not so much getting to the playoffs this year.

HOWEVER, with additional postings, I see MM's overall focus is still on properly developing/utilizing KJ and Fantilli - which is as much a part of that bigger-picture goal than anything else. Acquiring the appropriate vet or two to help those two (and other young players) makes sense, especially when looking at linemates assigned to KJ and Fantilli in recent months. If such a move also gets CBJ over the hump in grabbing a playoff spot sooner than planned (i.e. this year), that's icing on the cake that I will gladly take!

I think getting Chinakov and Jenner back into the lineup would help KJ, Fantilli and others immensely. But the timeline for Jenner coming back as a vet is too far out for my liking with regard to getting KJ and Fantilli moving forward again (even with the 2-week February break). They both would benefit from help sooner than that.

When your problem is secondary scoring, and not primary, the short run vs long run tradeoff is not so steep. Like we could be much better by spending a 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm still primarily focused on the long run and development, but since that isn't at risk by spending a 2nd or something, we don't have a good enough reason not to try to win now.

MM has mentioned Nyquist, a mid-cost player. While maybe not Nyquist, someone of a similar profile who is affordable but can provide scoring and defense. (I’d love to see Bjorkstrand, both signed thru only 24-26 and seemingly out of favor with their respective clubs. However their trade cost may be greater than we should spend.)

Too bad Boone won’t be back earlier as his presence would solve our immediate top 9 void and establish a 2nd and 3rd line that provides secondary scoring while giving KJ and Fantilli linemates that help their scoring and confidence.

Is Boone definitely not back sooner? If he's already out there training on the ice I think his timeline might be moved forward a bit.

Bjorky isn't really out of favor in Seattle, and they're not quite bad enough to sell, unfortunately. They should be though, the team is floundering. But they keep close enough and he's the best forward, with a year left on his deal, so they won't trade him.

Gus to me is ideal because he is so good at settling the play down and not rushing things, I know a guy wearing #19 who needs to learn from that. I imagine the Preds would get a 2nd rounder for him at the deadline, and we can find a way to persuade them to make the move now? @Viqsi ?

 

[EXTRAS]

I thought chinakhov was practicing around Christmas. Thought we would have an update?

 

[Cowumbus]

We need to add a veteran middle 6 forward ASAP, before it’s too late.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

We need to add a veteran middle 6 forward ASAP, before it’s too late.

I hate to f*** over Cleveland..again.. but could we try LDBB first?

 

[Cowumbus]

I hate to f*** over Cleveland..again.. but could we try LDBB first?

Do both!