As we leave August behind, hopefully, the burning-hot weather won't follow us.
However, the burning questions continue into September. We are just a few weeks away from the start of training camp and it's time to start asking questions that will be answered throughout the 2022-23 season. Since the Blue Jackets set a franchise record for goals allowed last season, let's start on defense.
Is there a structural issue or a personnel-based issue?
When you allow the fifth most goals in the league, something is wrong. Will the addition of defensive defenseman Erik Gudbranson change that at all? Are there too many offensive defensemen such as Boqvist and Bean in the lineup? Or does the structure need to change? Will the team's moves to address physicality such as trading for Olivier and signing Gudbranson affect their ability to keep the puck out of their net?
The Top 100 Fights of the 2021-22 season # 100 #HF202122
— hockeyfights (@hockeyfights) June 15, 2022
02122022
Ross Johnston (New York Islanders)
Erik Gudbranson (Calgary Flames)https://t.co/QLAAbcdLqh pic.twitter.com/D3GMm9BUGT
Will Zach Werenski take another step?
Werenski is entering the first year of a five-year, $9,583,333 AAV deal which has the third-highest AAV among defensemen this season. He missed 14 games last season due to multiple injuries, and if the Jackets want to make the playoffs, he'll likely have to play close to 82 games. Also, someone is going to have to fill the void that Oliver Bjorkstrand and his 28-goal campaign left. Can Werenski score 20 goals as he did in 2019-20? Does his upward trajectory on defense continue this season and will he have to sacrifice some offense in favor of playing better defense?
That's 17 goals for @ZachWerenski, the most in a season by a @BlueJacketsNHL defenseman!
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) February 8, 2020
1-0 #CBJ! pic.twitter.com/IUna5NEftG
Who is the top-pair RD?
With Werenski being penned into the top-par LD, will Andrew Peeke continue to be his partner after long stretches playing with him last year? Or will Gudbranson take Peeke's spot? Both players are defensive defensemen who complement Werenski well. We'll have to wait and see.
Scorin' goals and throwin' the body
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 25, 2021
The Andrew Peeke Way pic.twitter.com/Og0qI5DAGi
Which defensemen will dress on opening night?
Will David Jiricek make the team out of camp? Does Jake Bean crack the lineup? If he doesn't, will a right-shot defenseman have to play on the left side? How much ice-time does Nick Blankenburg receive if any at all?
No better time to score your first NHL goal!
— NHL (@NHL) April 24, 2022
Congrats, Nick Blankenburg (@nblanks98)! pic.twitter.com/DtWSpY6DZV
If you are asking one of these questions, you'll get your answer soon enough.
