Let’s get this out of the way: the Columbus Blue Jackets will be without their best defenseman – and perhaps their best roster player, period – for the first few weeks of the season. The good news is, even without Seth Jones, there's plenty to like about Columbus's rearguard.
What’s New: The second and third pairings – and the depth beyond that – are going to have a new look this season. Gone are Ian Cole, who had a huge impact after being acquired at the trade deadline last season, and Jack Johnson, who was a mainstay on the Columbus blueline for the last seven seasons. Columbus didn’t bring in any impact free agents or make any trades that will impact the defense at the NHL level, but there will be bigger opportunities for a few guys who have been in the system for the last few years.
With Cole and Johnson gone, David Savard will have a new defensive partner. That will likely end up being one of Zach Werenski (to open the season), Markus Nutivaara, or Ryan Murray. Gabriel Carlsson and Adam Clendening will get opportunities in Jones’ absence, and Scott Harrington could also see playing time once he clears the NHL’s concussion protocol.
What’s Great: Jones and Werenski will again team up (at some point) to form what may well be the best defensive pairing in the league. Both are currently recovering from injuries, although Werenski looks to be on track to play in the opener. When healthy, both are potential franchise cornerstones and will drive play in all three zones.
Also great: Nutivaara looks to be a bargain for the Blue Jackets. He broke out in a big way last season and looked particularly good filling in for Werenski a few times, and can be plugged in anywhere – including on the right side – meaning he could replace Jones as the top right-side defenseman for the first few weeks.
What’s Concerning: Opening night is upon us and there are already four players on the unit dealing with injuries. Beyond Jones and Werenski, Harrington and Murray are also on the mend. Murray has been practicing and looks to be ready for Thursday's game in Detroit, but that remains to be seen. Another injury to this defensive corps would be a major blow and could lead to a slow start for the Blue Jackets.
What To Watch: Obviously the top pairing, when healthy, is a must-watch for pure enjoyment, but it’ll also be interesting to see if Savard can thrive with a new defensive partner. He took his game to another level with Cole, but Nutivaara, Murray and Kukan all play a different type of game based more on stretch passes and puck movement as opposed to physicality.
Beyond that, if Murray stays healthy and consistently plays to his ability (or close to it), he’ll bolster Columbus’s defense and make it one of the best in the league. Kukan could see a Nutivaara-type breakout as well, and Carlsson’s good camp showing could also hint that the former first-rounder is ready to make an impact at the NHL level.
How They Stack Up: If Jones and Murray are out for extended time, Columbus will be middling to mediocre on the backend, but with plenty of swift skating puck-movers and shouldn’t have significant trouble staying afloat in the divisional race. A further injury to Werenski would change things.
But, when healthy, they have one hell of an argument for the best defensive corps in the Metro – Carolina will give them a run for their money – but factoring in potential breakouts for Kukan and Carlsson, a healthy Murray and continued development for Nutivaara, they could work their way into the top tier of NHL backends, alongside Nashville and San Jose.
