Historically speaking, the Columbus Blue Jackets fourth line has been one of grit.
This season has the potential to change that.
Borderline players including Zac Dalpe, Steffan Matteau, and Kole Sherwood have seen a bulk of the minutes on the Blue Jackets 4th line in recent seasons. None of these players are a significant scoring threat, or had the realistic potential to become one.
The Blue Jackets of 2021-22 could bring the 5th line a different sense.
Yegor Chinakhov, the Blue Jackets surprise first round selection from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, has made his way from Russia to the United States and will get a long look this fall. If he makes the roster, Chinakhov will likely start on the fourth line as he catches up with the speed and talent of the NHL. The way he has blossomed in the KHL - where he was named rookie of the year - that "catch up" process may not take long. Worst case scenario, the 20-year-old forward will join the AHL's Cleveland Monsters as he continues his NHL journey.
The potential scoring ability of the fourth line does not start and end with Chinakhov, however.
Gregory Hofmann, who was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the year, scored 18 goals and added 23 assists in just 36 games with EV Zug in the Swiss leagues. He has a two-way contract and may or may not make the Blue Jackets roster, but certainly has proven himself to be a capable scorer.
Another name to watch comes with that of Justin Danforth. He's 28 years old - but the shift winger is another player who is coming from overseas with the potential to make an impact at the NHL level. Danforth piled up 55 points (23 goals and 32 assists) in 58 regular season games for Vityaz Podolsk in the KHL. Over half of those goals (12) were power-play goals.
When the Blue Jackets announced his signing in May, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen referred to Danforth as "a talented, offensive player coming off three outstanding seasons in the KHL and Liiga.
"We believe he is ready to prove himself in the National Hockey League," said Kekalainen. "He has worked extremely hard to develop his game over the past five seasons and we are excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets."
There's no guarantee everything will work out to its maximum potential, of course. In fact, it probably won't. If anything, though, the Blue Jackets fourth line will be one worth watching.
