Projected Blue Jackets Lineup

By William Espy

As training camp draws nearer, the question that comes to all hockey fans’ minds is a fairly simple one. Which changes are going to happen in the lineup this year? For the Blue Jackets this question comes with a severely unpredictable answer. Following the various moves through the off-season, the Jackets now have an abundance of forwards but also have an abundance of defenseman. Here’s what I believe the Blue Jackets lines will look like come opening night.

Line 1:

Brandon Saad - Ryan Johansen - Cam Atkinson

Jarmo Kekalainen has made it clear since acquiring Saad that his intentions are for him to play alongside reigning All-Star MVP Ryan Johansen. While the first two positions of the top line are essentially locks, the real question comes at the right wing position. Many people believe that Nick Foligno would play on the right side on this line, however more than likely coach Todd Richards would like to spread out the scoring and allow for scoring from all lines which is seemingly crucial to winning the ultimate prize as the Blackhawks and Kings have shown in recent history. Cam Atkinson is no slouch as Blue Jackets fans know however. Atkinson has begun to prove himself as a perennial twenty goal, forty point player usually on the third line with Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Calvert but that line is likely to be finished for the time being.

Line 2:

Nick Foligno - Brandon Dubinsky - Boone Jenner

Nick Foligno had a career year last season and to many it may appear to be almost criminal to have him on the second line, however I do not expect there to be much of a difference in ice time between the top six. Odds of Foligno posting numbers identical to those from last year seem slim, however it is very possible. The new captain will be playing with two players who have a similar style to one another. Dubinsky and Jenner are both defensive forwards with an above-average offensive contribution, a large physical presence and a reasonable amount of agitator mixed in with it. Dubinsky became recognized for his defensive ability during the playoffs a couple years ago when he was able to shut down Sidney Crosby with ease. A bit of a fun fact, last season when the Blue Jackets had both Dubinsky and Jenner in the locker room the team was 11-0-2. Expect this line to not only lead by example, but also lead vocally on the ice and in the room.

Line 3:

Scott Hartnell – Alexander Wennberg – Rene Bourque

The “kid” line last year featuring Hartnell, Wennberg and Marko Dano was undisputedly the Blue Jackets’ best line at the end of last season. Now that Dano is gone, it would be very unlikely that the line has the same amount of success however Bourque is likely to surprise fans around the league this year. In the eight games he spent in Columbus, Bourque put up four points which were all goals. That may not seem to be amazing, however from a player who was seemingly a cap dump from the Ducks it is well above expectations. Hartnell’s scoring touch which led him to finish the season third on the Jackets in points, mixed with Wennberg’s defensive ability and likely improved offensive ability will allow that duo to be as dynamic as ever. The addition of Bourque could jump-start the career of a desperate player who knows he is likely having his final chance at the NHL level.  Many pessimists may use the argument that Hartnell is getting older; however in that case I will remind you of Jaromir Jagr. While Hartnell may not have had the same success that Jagr has had, and very few people ever have, Jagr proves that age is no more than an excuse.

Line 4:

Matt Calvert – Gregory Campbell – David Clarkson

The fact that a player of Matt Calvert’s magnitude has to play on the fourth line shows the depth of this team. Calvert annually scores over twenty points and usually ends up only playing in fewer than sixty games due to his tendency to play bigger than he actually is. If Calvert stays healthy he will likely be promoted from this line if there is an opening. Gregory Campbell is a player you very rarely hear about, and for a fourth line grinder that is a good thing. Campbell is a new addition to the Blue Jackets and is going to attempt to replace Mark Letestu which will be no easy feat; however he plays a completely different game than Letestu. When Campbell hits the ice, expect him to become the fearless warrior that has caused Boston Bruins fans to love him and when he’s off the ice, expect to see him in the community helping out. Clarkson may end up on the third line at times; however I believe he may even end up going higher than that. The odds of him getting back to the form which he had found in New Jersey is very low, however being out of the Toronto media and in a less pressuring market such as Columbus will more than likely help him regain some kind of form. At the Blue Jackets 3 v 3 prospect tournament where he was a coach, Clarkson mentioned that he is feeling the best he has in years and cannot wait to get back on the ice, which is a very good note for the Blue Jackets faithful.  It is also very possible that we will see Jared Boll on this line following his new training regimen that he started this offseason.