The Columbus Blue Jackets open their 2023 training camp on September 20 with their first game slated for September 24 – a split squad matchup with Metro division rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins. The camp battles for spots will be intense – the Jackets have a number of veteran players on one way deals, plus a number of prospects looking to push the veterans for ice time and roster spots.
Today, we will break down the defense. The Jackets have upwards of 10 players who are competing to be in the top six, plus any hangers-on on the 23 man opening night roster. Let’s take a look at who we’d like the defensive pairs to be, and also a peek at who they are realistically most likely to be.
Let’s dive in.
First Pairing
The ideal first pairing starts with a healthy Zach Werenski. When healthy, Werenski is one of the more dynamic offensive defensemen the NHL has to offer. He may not be a shut down defensive force like a prime Nicklas Lidstrom, but he is in the mold of Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche. His partner, however, is not as clear cut. The Jackets blue line struggled last season – they gave up goals, struggled in a lack of a system, and failed to contribute much offensively. The team has the opportunity to fix all of that with one savvy move – give David Jiricek the minutes.
Jiricek is one of the most highly rated prospects on the blue line in the NHL right now. He has a powerful wrist shot, he is a power play force, and he’s due for the chance, Jiricek has nothing left to prove in Cleveland, and dominated the World Juniors while playing for Czechia last year. Is he young? Yes. So were Cale Makar and Adam Fox. More and more often, young defensemen are driving success in the NHL. Jiricek can be the CBJ version. Give him the minutes and power play time, and let him cook. What’s the worst that could happen? This team scores MORE goals?
Second Pairing
This is pretty easy. The Jackets brought in Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov to stabilize their defensive group. Are these guys high end players like Werenski and Jiricek? No. But are they better than the rotating cast of characters who played for this club last year amidst a rash of injuries? Absolutely.
All these two have to do is “be stable and make sure the team doesn’t give up a record number of goals for a third straight season” and they’ve done their job. The bar is subterranean, but I find it hard to believe they don’t get there.
Third Pairing
Adam Boqvist has been plagued by injuries since he came to Columbus, but the former first rounder has all of the offensive ability to be a solid contributor for a team that has playoff aspirations. He is a fluid skater, effective puck mover, and can help control possession. He may not be all that his draft stock carries for him, but he has the pedigree to be a valuable contributor.
Nick Blankenburg should play opposite Boqvist. Few players in the organization possess more give-a-damn on a day to day basis than Nick Blankenburg. Undersized for an NHL defenseman, Blankenburg plays a fearless game that tangibly affects how opponents approach each shift. He is not afraid to throw hits, can contribute on the score sheet, and makes his presence felt each time he is on the ice. A Boqvist/Blankenburg third pairing would be one of the better third pairs in the league, one that must legitimately be accounted for one a nightly basis.
Realistic Pairs
It’s fun to dream, isn’t it? But it’s time to be realistic. The Jackets won’t give us that, because of contracts and a commitment to veterans. So, what could we see on opening night? Probably something like this:
Werenski-Severson
Provorov-Boqvist
Gudbranson-Bean
With Andrew Peeke and Nick Blankenburg as extras. We have to be realistic. Contracts dictate that Gudbranson, Peeke, and Bean will make the roster. Jiricek can be sent to Cleveland without waivers, making that choice a no brainer for the front office. The team is obligated to find out what they have in Jake Bean, so he will get ice time. It’s less fun this way, but more likely to happen.
What would you as fans like to see opening night? Sound off below!