A lot has happened since the last article I wrote discussing the likely lines and predictions for opening night. Several new players have joined the roster, and a few others have been listed as injured. Once again, the game plan has to change.
Kevin Labanc
Kevin Labanc signed with the Blue Jackets this past Saturday. He was on a PTO with the New Jersey Devils and was released. He posted six goals with the Devils, making him the number-one goal-scorer in the NHL for the preseason.
Labanc is 28 years old and previously played eight seasons with the San Jose Sharks. In the 2023-24 season, he played 46 games and had two goals and seven assists. He’s played 478 NHL games in his career.
His primary position is right wing. He’ll mostly likely find a spot somewhere on the second or third lines, possibly with players like Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, or James Van Riemsdyk.
Zach Aston-Reese
On Monday, Zach Aston-Reese was picked up off of waivers by the Blue Jackets. Aston-Reese had been signed to a one-year contract with the Vegas Golden Nights when placed on waivers to be sent to the AHL.
Aston-Reese is 30 years old and has seven years of NHL experience. Last year, he only saw three games with the Detroit Red Wings and mostly played for their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Zach has also played for other NHL teams in his career. He started playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017-18 season. He split his time there between the AHL and NHL before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks partway through the 2021-22 season. For the 2022-23 season, he played 77 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He tallied 10 goals and four assists. He’s played 310 NHL games in his career.
Zach can be flexible in playing center or wing and will most likely find a spot on the third or fourth lines. He could fit well on the fourth line with players like Mathieu Olivier and Sean Kuraly. Alternatively, he could fit in on a third line with players like Kevin Labanc, Mikael Pyythia, or Cole Sillinger.
Injuries
Recently it was revealed that Captain Boone Jenner, and Dmitri Voronkov both have injuries that could take them out for months. Both were key players in the Blue Jackets game plan for this season. The recent signings have helped create depth, but it’s hard to replace a player as skilled and hardworking as Boone Jenner. Voronkov was set to start his second year in the NHL and was a reliable forward last season achieving 18 goals and 34 points in 75 games.
Other injured players include Gavin Brindley, Max McCue, Justin Danforth, Jordan Dumais, and Cayden Lindstrom.
Brindley suffered a broken finger and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Max McCue has a groin injury. When he is healed he will likely be sent to the Cleveland Monsters.
Danforth is starting the season on the non-rostered list. He was recovering this past off-season from a wrist injury. His timetable for return is not clear.
Jordan Dumais has been out with a lower-body injury and when cleared he too will likely be sent to the Cleveland Monsters.
Cayden Lindstrom is healing and rehabilitating with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets are taking no chances with his recovery from a herniated disc and want to keep a close eye on the process. When healed he will most likely play for the Medicine Hat Tigers as originally planned.
Opening Night Changes
In my previous article, I had Boone Jenner predicted as starting on the first line and Voronkov on the second line. Since some moves have been made here are my new line predictions:
Forwards
First: Yegor Chinakhov – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko
Second: James Van Riemsdyk – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson
Third: Mikael Pyythia – Cole Sillinger – Kevin Labanc
Fourth: Zach Aston-Reese – Sean Kuraly – Mathieu Olivier
Defensive pairings:
First: Zach Werenski – Damon Severson
Second: Jake Christiansen – Ivan Provorov
Third: Jordan Harris – Erik Gudbranson
Goaltenders
Starter: Elvis Merzlikins
Backup: Daniil Tarasov
A Change Of Plans
The Blue Jackets are no strangers to plans changing at the last minute. This season is no different, and with injuries starting already, the roster seen on opening night could still drastically change throughout the season. This is an old problem for the Blue Jackets, but with Don Waddel and Dean Evason in charge, a new approach could help.
Looking at some of Waddell’s moves this offseason, the additions of Sean Monahan and James van Riemsdyk bring some quality experience to the top lines. The recent additions of Labanc and Aston-Reese were great pickups for added depth and experience in a pinch.
Evason’s challenge this season will be changing plans on the fly with a changing roster. While many players have a lot of experience, it hasn’t all been together as this team. Finding what works against teams with consistent rosters is a tough ask. If the preseason is anything to go by, Evason’s systems and coaching style may work with this mixture of players.
The Blue Jackets season opener is on Thursday, October 10, at the Xcel Energy Center against the Minnesota Wild.
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