Columbus Blue Jackets Opening Night Line Predictions

The Blue Jackets are almost halfway through their pre-season games, and some possible line combinations are starting to shape up. The team began with 55 players in training camp and has trimmed that to 36 over the last week.

Here are the players who have been either loaned, returned to their team, or released, starting with the first roster moves and ending with the most recent:

G Nolan Lalonde – Loaned to Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
D Luca Marelli – Loaned to Oshawa Generals (OHL)
F Pano Fimis – Released from amateur tryout contract
G Jacob Oster – Released from amateur tryout contract
D Charlie Elick – Returned to Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
G Evan Gardner – Returned to Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
F Tyler Peddle – Returned to Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
F Luca Pinelli – Loaned to Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
D Stanislov Svozil – Loaned to Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
F Jake Gaudet – Returned to Cleveland Monsters
F Stefan Matteau – Returned to Cleveland Monsters
F Justin Pearson – Returned to Cleveland Monsters
G Zach Sawchenko – Placed on waivers, Cleared, assigned to Cleveland Monsters
F Cam Butler – Loaned to Cleveland Monsters
D Corson Ceulemans – Loaned to Cleveland Monsters
D Cole Clayton – Loaned to Cleveland Monsters
D Samuel Knazko – Loaned to Cleveland Monsters
F Curtis Hall – Returned to Cleveland Monsters
G Pavel Cajan – Returned to Cleveland Monsters

After all the roster moves, the Blue Jackets still have 23 forwards, 10 defensemen, and three goalies. An NHL roster can only have 23 players, excluding injured players on IR or LTIR. The Jackets have five more preseason games left and 13 more players to cut. Here are the remaining players:

Regular Season Line Predictions

It’s halfway through preseason and some surprises could still be in store for the Blue Jackets. According to PuckPedia.com, they have the highest projected cap space in the NHL. A new signing could be on the horizon for the Jackets. That might seem obvious with the amount of cap space but the questions of “Who?” and “When?” remain.

Without considering any future signings or trades here are my line predictions for the Blue Jackets’ season opener on October 10 against the Minnesota Wild.

Forwards

First: Boone Jenner – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko

Second: Dmitri Voronkov – Cole Sillinger – Yegor Chinakov

Third: James Van Riemsdyk – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson

Fourth: Mathieu Olivier – Sean Kuraly – Justin Danforth

Defensemen

First: Zach Werenski – Damon Severson

Second: Ivan Provorov – David Jiricek

Third: Jordan Harris – Erik Gudbranson

Goalies

Starter: Elvis Merzlikins
Backup: Daniil Tarasov

Healthy Scratches

F Trey Fix-Wolansky
D Jack Johnson
D Jake Christiansen

Some players might be locked into their lines, but there are also some debates about others. If the “Russian Line” returns (Voronkov, Marchenko, and Chinakhov) they could be played in place of the second line. Fantilli and Sillinger could change lines, as could Voronkov and Van Riemsdyk. Chinakhov could see some first-line minutes if he continues to improve. That could push Jenner to a second-line position.

Kent Johnson is another player to watch for improvements this season. He’s shown his puck-handling and passing skills in the past but this year he will be starting his third full NHL season with more experience. Since entering the NHL, Johnson has grown both mentally and physically. So far this preseason, he has had an easier time with sideboard battles and playing with more muscle.

The defensive pairings are harder to predict for a few reasons, specifically the third pairing. The debate is between experience and ability. At 37 years old, Jack Johnson has the most experience of any player on the Blue Jackets let alone the defense. Both Jordan Harris and Jake Christiansen are 24 years old. I put Harris as the one to start on opening night because he has a little more experience than Christiansen but also has the agility and speed of a younger player.

Some might question David Jiricek’s position but he looks to be NHL-ready. He played 43 games for the Blue Jackets last year, and getting some more NHL experience could help his development. Having him with an experienced veteran may also help him to improve.

There is always some jostling between the lines when injuries happen. Some forwards that could see some NHL ice time this year are Owen Sillinger, Gavin Brindley, Mikael Pyyhtia, Hunter McKown, and Luca Del Bel Belluz. Some defensemen might be Denton Mateychuk, Ole Julian Bjorgvik-Holm, Corson Ceulemans, and Stanislov Svozil.

For the goaltenders, I have placed them in order of their contract size and what is expected of them to fulfill that contract. After two tough seasons, Elvis Merzlikins is looking for a bounceback. In previous years he has showcased his elite abilities and has been open about his unhappiness about his recent shortcomings. His stats from 2024-25 show that he improved in almost every category from the 2022-23 season. If that trajectory continues he will lock in his place as the number one goalie.

The Blue Jackets could carry three goaltenders and add Jet Greaves to the lineup. A good reason for this might be that there were several games last season that Merzlikins missed due to sickness. The exact illness was unknown, but if it’s a recurring problem, having a third goalie could be useful.

While different line combinations will still be seen in the preseason, this could be close to how the Blue Jackets start the regular season. I doubt the real lines will be wildly different, but there could be some surprises, especially if any trades or signings happen.

The Blue Jackets Honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at Home Opener – Brew Jackets

 Tonight we're talking about the Blue Jackets recent home opener against the Florida Panthers. The Jackets may have lost, but the night was about much more than hockey. Players and fans joined in honoring the Gaudreau brothers. 

1. The Blue Jackets Honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at Home Opener 01:15:27
2. Blue Jackets get Kevin Lebanc and Zach Aston-Reese, CBJ at OSU Game, Roster Announced, etc… 01:19:21
3. Adam Fantilli Preseason Hat Trick, Salary Cap News, And So Much More. 01:16:43
4. Training Camp news, Lineup predictions, Kevin pays tribute to his awesome Uncle Doc and so much more 01:18:28
5. Blue Jackets get James van Riemsdyk, Blue Jackets Prospect Tournament news, Training Camp news news 01:11:30