Speculation: Sorry to be the one to ask, but what do the Blue Jackets do?

[ratbid]

Gotta give em a ton of credit for how the season went.

Tragedy to start the season and long injuries to key guys like Jenner and Monahan and they just missed. Gotta respect the way the team played.

 

[Volica]

Gotta give em a ton of credit for how the season went.

Tragedy to start the season and long injuries to key guys like Jenner and Monahan and they just missed. Gotta respect the way the team played.

Feel like both of Johnny's teams had culture resets this season; and both fell short of the ultimate goal, which of course is playoff hockey.
There's been a lot of talk around Calgary social media (the reporters connected to the club) that the cultural reset was more important than a tank season; have to think the same way for CBJ. They aren't bottom feeding, the put up one helluva fight considering they lost their best offensive player in a tragedy to start off the season.

Crazy they have the 13th pick of the draft too.

 

[Dumais]

Question is still valid.

It's good the young core improved with injuries to key veterans. If one (or more) of these young players take a step (Marchenko did), CBJ should compete for the playoffs.

But with losing JG and trading away Laine's contract, that's a LOT of free cap space. What is GMDW going to do without the pressure of an upcoming season?

 

[stevo61]

Question is still valid.

It's good the young core improved with injuries to key veterans. If one (or more) of these young players take a step (Marchenko did), CBJ should compete for the playoffs.

But with losing JG and trading away Laine's contract, that's a LOT of free cap space. What is GMDW going to do without the pressure of an upcoming season?

Pretty much all the kids took a meaningful step this year. Next season will be can Johnson take another and find a full season of consistency, same goes for Voronkov. Will a full offseason this time around and another year of experience help Fantilli hit the ground running instead of tripping out of the gate like this year. Can Chinakhov stay healthy. What can Waddell do to fix the defense and the overall goals against issue

 

[Dumais]

Pretty much all the kids took a meaningful step this year. Next season will be can Johnson take another and find a full season of consistency, same goes for Voronkov. Will a full offseason this time around and another year of experience help Fantilli hit the ground running instead of tripping out of the gate this year. Can Chinakhov stay healthy. What can Waddell do to fix the defense and the overall goals against issue

Then the question is,

Does Werenski, Fabbro (resign?) Provrov (resign?) Severson make a good top 4? Obviously not if we are talking goals against this year.

Is Jet, Elvis or Tarasov the answer? I wouldn't bet my season's success on any of them.

But what about those long losing streaks (after the outdoor game for example) that the WHOLE TEAM contributed (or lack of) which is the reason I'm watching the caps walk the habs?

 

[Marshall]

A tragic but remarkable season.

 

[stevo61]

Then the question is,

Does Werenski, Fabbro (resign?) Provrov (resign?) Severson make a good top 4? Obviously not if we are talking goals against this year.

Is Jet, Elvis or Tarasov the answer? I wouldn't bet my season's success on any of them.

But what about those long losing streaks (after the outdoor game for example) that the WHOLE TEAM contributed (or lack of) which is the reason I'm watching the caps walk the habs?

highs and lows of young team that dealt with injuries aswell.

I think Jet can absolutely be part of the solution but need to be part of a tandem.

Defense in terms of the actual defensemen but also the entire team defense needs to improve. Those guys and Mateychuk can probably be fine but obviously not an elite group at limiting goals against. I'm starting to wonder if Provorov walks for $ and that Waddell will have to find someone stronger defensively

 

[majormajor]

Does Werenski, Fabbro (resign?) Provrov (resign?) Severson make a good top 4? Obviously not if we are talking goals against this year.

Excellent top pair and Mateychuk looks like a star in the making.

What they really lack is a proper shutdown pair. Or even one shutdown D, they went all year without one good shutdown D.

Is Jet, Elvis or Tarasov the answer? I wouldn't bet my season's success on any of them.

Jet is the answer. End of topic.

But what about those long losing streaks (after the outdoor game for example) that the WHOLE TEAM contributed (or lack of) which is the reason I'm watching the caps walk the habs?

Losing Monahan was a big part of that. The team is super talented and plays with the emotion of a junior team. They get very high and low on themselves. They think the way to play is the way that works when things are easy, they don't know what to stick with when the puck isn't going in.

 

[Dumais]

Are we ignoring someone's system of pushing opposing teams to the perimeter and collapsing in the slot as not a issue or is that something (else) that will fix itself over time?

We should probably be looking at a top 6 forward and a couple dmen, if ignoring the goalie issue. Gavrikov would be an upgrade but cost more the Severson. Maybe trading Mateychuk for a rhd prospect with just as much upside using cap space or picks to get them. Maybe use that cap space for a veteran goaltender. All of them are young and never had an older veteran goalie around? There's lots I would do, including throwing an offer at Marner..

 

[stevo61]

It was a young team that lead the league in 5v5 goals while missing guys, I won't be too concerned if we don't make a major splash with the forward group.

Defensively they could throw money Gavrikov's way if he makes it that far or they can offer up a pretty solid futures package with 1st's, prospects like LDBB or some roster players.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Think Jackets are in a solid spot.

Sillinger had a good season, turns 22 in two weeks.

Johnson had a really good season and is living up to his pedigree, turns 23 in October.

Cut bait with Jiricek, which is fine. Got some draft capital out of that situation.

Mateychuck is establishing himself, looks really promising. Turns 21 over the offseason.

Fantilli had a really good season. Turns 21 in October.

Marchenko had a breakout year, turns 25 over the offseason and signed for two more years before being an RFA that they'll likely want to extend.

Werenski is in his prime and one of the best defensemen in the world right now. Still signed for 3 more years.

Voronkov had a solid season and turns 25 in September. Hopefully they can lock him in at a reasonable rate.

Goaltending is probably biggest situation to address right now. But overall I like where Columbus is heading. Obviously hope the stuff with Lindstrom isn't too career impacting, that'd be another big player to potentially add if he's healthy and lives up to his pedigree.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

the CBJ have plenty of prospects and picks that they could try to go big name hunting for a defensive upgrade.

Waddell says he wants to keep Fabbro and Provorov. However rumors say they’re nowhere close with Provorov in talks. No clue on Fabbro.

It appears the jackets are resigned to a net tandem of Elvis and Jet next year. Which is fine, but they better have a decent #3 in Cleveland.

It appears Waddell wants at least one or two open spots so Luca Del Bel Belluz, Mikael Pyyhtia, Gavin Brindley, etc can compete for spots. Probably not good news for UFA vets like JVR, Kuraly, and Danforth.

With the ample amounts of cap space I could see the CBJ being a third party broker on trades for cap needy teams. As long as the contracts aren’t long term.

Cap space allows them to go big name shopping in UFA if they choose (Marner, Ehlers, Gavrikov, etc). Waddell was reportedly after a top 6 forward when injuries struck last year.

Will be an interesting team to watch.

 

[VancouverJagger]

the CBJ have plenty of prospects and picks that they could try to go big name hunting for a defensive upgrade.

Waddell says he wants to keep Fabbro and Provorov. However rumors say they’re nowhere close with Provorov in talks. No clue on Fabbro.

It appears the jackets are resigned to a net tandem of Elvis and Jet next year. Which is fine, but they better have a decent #3 in Cleveland.

It appears Waddell wants at least one or two open spots so Luca Del Bel Belluz, Mikael Pyyhtia, Gavin Brindley, etc can compete for spots. Probably not good news for UFA vets like JVR, Kuraly, and Danforth.

With the ample amounts of cap space I could see the CBJ being a third party broker on trades for cap needy teams. As long as the contracts aren’t long term.

Cap space allows them to go big name shopping in UFA if they choose (Marner, Ehlers, Gavrikov, etc). Waddell was reportedly after a top 6 forward when injuries struck last year.

Will be an interesting team to watch.

Any CBJ's centers that the Canucks could realistically trade Willander + for? (maybe Garland and/or Hoglander would be of interest?) Willander is an elite 20 year old RHD prospect ready to step into the NHL next season (no he's not going back to college).

Anything of interest here? I've heard Sillingers name bandied about quite a bit as a potential target however I'm not sure if he's quite got the upside we are gonna want but mayyyyybe.........

 

[majormajor]

Any CBJ's centers that the Canucks could realistically trade Willander + for? (maybe Garland and/or Hoglander would be of interest?) Willander is an elite 20 year old RHD prospect ready to step into the NHL next season (no he's not going back to college).

Anything of interest here? I've heard Sillingers name bandied about quite a bit as a potential target however I'm not sure if he's quite got the upside we are gonna want but mayyyyybe.........

The only young centers that are in the right neighborhood value wise are Cole Sillinger and Luca Del Bel Belluz.

I'd be hesitant, especially with LDBB, he's got good upside. But if Willander is ready to play next year?

I'm really not super interested in adding a rookie D though. They should do fine with veteran shutdown guys, which is really what they need. How is Willander's defense? And do we expect him to be the typical mistake prone rookie? It seems unlikely he can play hard minutes?

Goaltending is probably biggest situation to address right now.

We'll have to find out but I think Jet Greaves might just be the answer.

 

[VancouverJagger]

The only young centers that are in the right neighborhood value wise are Cole Sillinger and Luca Del Bel Belluz.

I'd be hesitant, especially with LDBB, he's got good upside. But if Willander is ready to play next year?

I'm really not super interested in adding a rookie D though. They should do fine with veteran shutdown guys, which is really what they need. How is Willander's defense? And do we expect him to be the typical mistake prone rookie? It seems unlikely he can play hard minutes?



We'll have to find out but I think Jet Greaves might just be the answer.

Willander is an elite prospect for a reason. Last WJC's he was Sweden's top D........being relied on more heavily then ASP (who is very touted).

He's an eraser with his stick.........his calling card is his D.........opponents don't score when he's on the ice. He's had 2 years in college and by all accounts is very ready to step into a top 4 role. He's an incredible skater and generally plays a very safe and sound game.

The main complaint (if any) with him is that people want to see him develop his offense a bit more.

I'd hate to trade him but you gotta give to get and D is def. a position of strength for us now. If I'm CBJ he's ABSOLUTELY a guy I would target. Personally I hope Nucks have bigger game in their sites as Sillinger is ok but I think we could do better ceiling wise.

 

[Benstheman]

With minor tweaks, i see you guys as battling for top spot in the Metro next season, or at least second spot behind Wash.

Trending up big times. A bit like my Habs but maybe 1 year ahead. Habs have couple big holes to fill before entering that territory.

 

[MHO]

I'm a Hawks fan but I see Columbus as my 2nd team now. After what happened last summer and how they responded, they are so easy to root for.

 

[57special]

CBJ is the team that everyone loves... till they take your playoff spot. Evason had a vg year, and Waddell seems to have had a good year(jury still out on Lindstrom).

 

[Fatass]

Really good year for a young core. Elite young guys at centre and D. Team on the rise, with the right supporting players added.

 

[majormajor]

Willander is an elite prospect for a reason. Last WJC's he was Sweden's top D........being relied on more heavily then ASP (who is very touted).

He's an eraser with his stick.........his calling card is his D.........opponents don't score when he's on the ice. He's had 2 years in college and by all accounts is very ready to step into a top 4 role. He's an incredible skater and generally plays a very safe and sound game.

The main complaint (if any) with him is that people want to see him develop his offense a bit more.

I'd hate to trade him but you gotta give to get and D is def. a position of strength for us now. If I'm CBJ he's ABSOLUTELY a guy I would target. Personally I hope Nucks have bigger game in their sites as Sillinger is ok but I think we could do better ceiling wise.

That sounds like exactly what the Jackets need, and if we had a young center who was worth a little more than Sillinger and LDBB then maybe that would be something worth talking about, I don't know. But obviously we can't send you KJ or Fantilli so I don't see it happening. You'd have to be taking the plus in the deal.

LDBB shows glimpses of being a high scoring guy. Seems like a 2C but maybe a big points 2C. Despite his average size he thrives in the blue paint, much the opposite of the perimeter player some scouts forecasted him to be. Maybe the Canucks' brass keys in on him.

 

[quietbruinfan]

Jackets are in a good spot. I would try and re-shape the d as they have too many finesse d who are inconsistent and a bit suspect defensively. I would trade up in the draft or try and trade for the best all around d I could find. Unfortunately, free agent d market is very week as is the draft. I would trade up for Mrtka though. That is probably feasible and I have a good feeling about him.

 

[Jovavic]

Didn't see them leading the league in 5v5 goals entering the season

 

[stevo61]

That sounds like exactly what the Jackets need, and if we had a young center who was worth a little more than Sillinger and LDBB then maybe that would be something worth talking about, I don't know. But obviously we can't send you KJ or Fantilli so I don't see it happening. You'd have to be taking the plus in the deal.

LDBB shows glimpses of being a high scoring guy. Seems like a 2C but maybe a big points 2C. Despite his average size he thrives in the blue paint, much the opposite of the perimeter player some scouts forecasted him to be. Maybe the Canucks' brass keys in on him.

6'1" 185lbs isn't too shabby and last offseason it seemed like he gained a ton of strength, if he can replicate that again he'll be setting himself up for a pretty promising career. If he's not traded he's going to force the coaching staff to make a tough decision next season for opening night

 

[Fro]

I would definitely do Sillinger + for willander

I am that high that Luca can fill the role

 

[Dumais]

I would definitely do Sillinger + for willander

I am that high that Luca can fill the role

Sillinger ain't enough. Mateychuk (Hughes replacement?) or Johnson would be the ask from the Nucks. In which case it would be 1 for 1 with Mateychuk or Van adding for Johnson. And I can only see Johnson moved if we can sign a high profile FA like Marner.

EDIT: Maybe something like this if we get a top6 forward.

Johnson+Elvis
for
Willander+Demko

and adds if needed.