The biggest question mark heading into training camp was the defense. After all, last season, the Columbus Blue Jackets lacked consistency on the defensive end for much of the season. This season the addition of Erik Gudbranson was supposed to ease defensive woes. The man-to-man defensive system the Blue Jackets switched to is proving difficult for players to grasp.
For the past several seasons, the Blue Jackets played a rotating defense. The puck came into the defensive end, and both defenders would rotate to where the puck was. The team had good success and playoff seasons with that brand of defense.
Last season a perfect storm of young players (Jake Bean and Adam Boqvist) and injuries paved the way for a defense that crumbled at times and were just flat-out bad at times. During the offseason, the Blue Jackets coaching staff decided to switch to the more in-vogue man-to-man defensive coverage.
At 0-3, the switch has been bumpy, to put it kindly. Zach Werenski looked terrible in the first game but has improved in the past two, as have Andrew Peeke and Vladislav Gavrikov. Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, the remainder of the defensive corps has not found its footing, which is evident.
Players look lost as to who they need to cover when the puck enters the defensive end. The weaker defenders are exposed in man-to-man coverage because their linemate is covering their assigned player. Players stand still when they are confused.
While not ideal, it should be looked at to change the defensive pairings. Coaches should perhaps move Peeke or Gavrikov off of the second line and move one to the third line. The thought would be to have at least one defender who understands the new defensive system. While that would not be a fail-safe, it would take the pressure off two players trying to improve. Without trying something, the same results will become the norm.
While in the last game vs. St. Louis, the team played better in spurts, they still have a long way to go to play consistent defensive hockey.
