This was in the Sunday Gathering today:
The Blue Jackets believe David Jiricek and Denton Mateychuk are close to being NHL-ready, but Waddell is intent on not rushing either of them. If both players demand significant playing time, Johnson will likely see his playing time limited. If one or both aren’t ready, he can play a third-pair role as he did for
Colorado (80 games) last season.
Knowing that is very possible both make the team, and Laine is here with no trade (if he plays), here's what I'm thinking:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Marchenko
Laine-Fantilli-Jenner
KJohnson-Voronkov-Chinakhov
Sillinger-Kuraly-Danforth
Olivier
Allows Jenner to cover for Fantilli at center if necessary and take DZone draws. Theres at least two guys who can take faceoffs on every line except line 1. Also allows Laine to play on the LW which he prefers. If Laine is not here, either by staying in the program or trade, you can move Jenner to LW and Chinakhov up to line 2. Sillinger up to line 3, and Olivier up to 4th from scratches or open the door for a guy like Malatesta to make it.
D with Jiricek only:
Werenski-Severson
Provorov-Jiricek
JJohnson-Gudbranson
Christiansen
D with Mateychuk only:
Werenski-Severson
Mateychuk-Provorov
JJohnson-Gudbranson
Christiansen
D with BOTH Mateychuk and Jiricek
Werenski-Severson
Provorov-Jiricek
Mateychuk-Gudbranson
JJohnson
D with NEITHER Mateychuk and Jiricek
Werenski-Severson
Provorov-Gudbranson
JJohnson-Christiansen
??
From the team depth standpoint, I feel very strongly that at least one of these kids is making it this year with a big lean to Jiricek.