The Columbus Blue Jackets have achieved half of their pre -season matches. Today they only got on the ice for the first time a week ago. That is what happens when a team plays four games in four nights.
This is the perfect moment to do a final check on how we think the schedule of the Blue Jackets will look like the opening evening. Although there should not be many surprises, there are some interesting fights on the bubble to fill in the last place or two.
For this projection we will break down the 23-man Roster through Sloten and who is on the bubble. If you do not see the name mentioned, this is because we do not project them to the grid or the bubble.
We start with the goalkeepers. We will then tackle the defense and complete the attackers. Here we think that things are still with three pre -season games to play.
Blue Jackets’ Selection 4 4.0
Goalkeepers
Locks (2): Elvis Merzlikins, Jet Greaves.
Bubble (1): Ivan Fedotov.
This group is probably the easiest to project. What can still be seen is who will start the opening evening in Nashville.
Head coach Dean Evason said that both Merzlikins and Greaves were good in Monday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. Greaves received the call to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday evening. This should be on the last few games to determine who gets game 1.
As for Fedotov, he has delivered two good versions. He allowed one goal in each of his two games against the Sabres and St. Louis Blues.
The most likely result is that Fedotov is going to distance to play for the Cleveland Monsters. Then he would be standing in case something would happen to Merzlikins or Greaves.
Given his cap -hit, Fedotov is most likely by getting a distance. Unless a major injury with a team happens and there is Cap Room, that is the only scenario that is plausible for a distance explanation. If the Blue Jackets are worried for any reason that someone would claim him, they could choose to start the season with three goalkeepers. That is why he lands in the bubble for the time being.
Defenders
Locks (6): Zach Werenski, Dante Fabbro, Ivan Provorov, Damon Severerson, Erik Gudbranson, Jake Christiansen.
Injured (1): Denton Mateychuk.
Bubble (2): Daemon Hunt, Brendan Smith.
The defense is almost absent a late injury. Mateychuk is expected to start skating shortly after starting the camp with an injury. As long as he has been cleaned up, he is a lock that would make seven defenders.
The question here is what to do with Hunt. He starts his age-2 season with much to prove. This camp was his chance to show that he was heads and shoulders ready to become a full -time NHL’er.
Given the experienced presence in the final category, the path is for Hunt to make the team as an extra defender. The blue jackets would then think if he was won him and send him to the samples a better option.
This is where Smith’s presence comes into play. He is in the camp of Blue Jackets on a PTO. The 14-year-old NHL veteran tries to prove that he still has a lot left in the tank.
The question with Smith will be, has he done enough to earn a contract? GM Don Waddell recently had Smith in Carolina, so there is fame. Would it be better for the Blue Jackets to expand an offer of Smith to let someone like Hunt play in Cleveland?
Ahead
Locks (13): Charlies Coyle, Cole Sillinger, Dmitri Voronkov, Miles Wood, Adam Fantili, Sean Monahan, Mathieu Olivier, Zach Aston-Rese, Boone Jenner, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Markenko, Kent Johnson, Isac Lunderster.
Bubble (6): Hudson Fasching, Jack Williams, Luca del Bel Belluz, James Malate, Mikael Pyyhtiä, Oiva Keskinen.
The forward depth shows that there is really not much space. The only lock that is exempt is Fantilli. He doesn’t go to Cleveland. That may make one forward place available. That happens when they beat the bubble defenders.
One of the age -old truths of hockey comes out here. Follow the contracts. Who needs exemptions? Who not?
Of the bubble to the front, only Pyyhtia and Fasching need distance statements. Williams, del Bel Belluz, Malatesta and Keskinen are exempt. For one of those four to stay, they must give Blue Jackets’ management a reason to refrain from someone else.
Mark’s project
For me there is one place for the picking that do not accept new injuries. It is the 14th attacker or the 8th defenders. I expect Fedotov to go to Cleveland, even though they need distance statements. Most teams are not interested in adding a cap -hit of $ 3,275 million.
The latter place comes down to Hunt, Smith, Fasching or Pyhtia. Fasching was good on Tuesday in a tough situation on the road with a non-so-loaded line-up.
I am inclined to think that Pyyhtia wins, unless the Blue Jackets choose to sign Smith on a contract. Hunt must play while Fasching would be a good presence with the samples and one of the first forward callups.
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Here is my current projected 23-man selection for the Blue Jackets 2025-26.
Forwards (14): Charlies Coyle, Cole Sillinger, Dmitri Voronkov, Miles Wood, Adam Fantili, Sean Monahan, Mathieu Olivier, Zach Aston-Rese, Boone Jenner, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko, Kenthson.
Defense (7): Zach Werenski, Dante Fabbro, Ivan Provorov, Damon Severerson, Erik Gudbranson, Jake Christiansen, Denton Mateychuk.
Goalies (2): Elvis Merzlikins, Jet Greaves.
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