what to do with log jam down the middle?

You’re asking several questions at once here – I’ll try to break down my answers for you.

1) First – the nice thing is that Scott Howson doesn’t “have” to do anything. Right now our forwards depth chart is something like this:

Nash – Carter – Prospal
Umberger – Brassard – Vermette
Dorsett – Pahlsson – Calvert
Boll – MacKenzie – Mayorov (?)
Atkinson – Johansen – Kubalik

I’d also note that you’ve got acquisitions like Giroux, RyRuss, and guys like Cody Bass who could potentially compete for a bottom six spot. With that depth, Howson really doesn’t need to shake up the lineup too much, outside of potentially moving Vermette over to wing (and he could easily still take faceoffs during key draws, and is likely to see plenty of PK and PP time.)

Could Johansen push this lineup? Absolutely – but if he does, it’s certainly possible that he’d play on the fourth line to cut his teeth, and potentially get some second unit power play time. If he keeps developing, so much the better. Move the lines around to put Johansen, Calvert, and perhaps MacKenzie or Umberger together – but Scott Howson still has the freedom to put Johansen back in Portland if he doesn’t think that Johansen fits. (That said, I expect we’ll see him start the season in Columbus, but we need to remember that it is NOT a given.)
 
Pahlsson’s status is going to depend a lot on this season – while the team can use a veteran center who can be a solid shutdown player, he’s been hampered by the state of the defense (and goaltending) the last two years. This year we’re seeing an (on paper) improved defense and hopefully a goaltender who is more comfortable in the system, with a backup that will push him to perform harder. If Pahlsson still can’t get it done defensively, yes, I’d expect we part ways with him – but I could easily see Vermette in a #3 center spot (especially since it would allow for the team to roll more scoring) than going out and looking at free agents.

As to trading, right now I don’t see Howson making any more big deals. He’s reworked his defense, he added a huge scoring boost in Carter, he made up for the loss of Huselius by grabbing Prospal. I could see a move or two in camp if we have more unexpected injuries, but I think the next major trade window for Columbus, aside from the deadline, is going to be when / if Kristian Huselius is capable of returning to the lineup.

If the team chemistry is solid and the club is in a playoff position, I could see them giving Juice some time to play back into the lineup and add another weapon to the offense. If the team is struggling a bit or it becomes clear that another piece of the puzzle is missing, I could easily see Juice offered up as trade bait.

I don’t think Columbus gives up on Brassard at this point because he’s still returning good point production for his salary, there’s reasons to think he can develop a bit more, and he’s signed for a decent contract for another two seasons after this one. Plus, like I said, there isn’t a glaring hole on the roster that HAS to be addressed the way the #1C and PPQB positions were.

About the only thing I could see him being trade bait for would be a goaltender to replace Steve Mason, and with the way the goaltender market is getting in free agency, I think Howson would be more likely to find a way to move Mason, ride Dekanich (unless he completely explodes) and grab a cheap but solid goaltender at a lower contract.