Do the Columbus Blue Jackets have a plan?
With the result of this season likely ending up as another high lottery pick, which isn't a bad thing for the future of the team and its rebuild, how do the Blue Jackets want to play out this season moving forward?
While contending for a playoff spot might have been the lofty pre-season goal, the reality is this team is essentially playing out the string as we near Christmas, and the Blue Jackets are 28th in the standings.
In a season dominated by storylines of blown leads, early-season benchings, and healthy scratches, there have been positive aspects of this team.
Kirill Marchenko has pushed aside a slow start and has picked up his goal-scoring ways, as we saw in his rookie season last year. He's second on the team with nine goals.
Adam Fantilli is tied for second among all rookies with 16 points and third with eight goals. Fantilli took his game to new heights last week with his first three-point game and two-goal output against the New York Islanders.
Fantilli has recently seen playing time alongside Kent Johnson and Emil Bemstrom, and the line has shown meaningful results.
| Time On Ice | Shot Attempts For/Against | Shots on Goal For/Against | Scoring Chances For/Against | High Danger Chances For/Against | Expected Goals For/Against | Goals For/Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35:55 | 41/39 | 19/21 | 15/17 | 2/2 | 1.26/1.08 | 4/3 |
Boone Jenner is out of the lineup for at least six weeks with a fractured jaw, meaning the Jackets need everyone to step up to try and fill the absence.
Jenner leads the Jackets with 13 goals, is second with 18 points, is third on the team as he averages 0.62 points per game, is among NHL leaders with 10 even-strength goals, leads the team with 81 shots, and is the best face-off guy (55.9%).
On Sunday, Justin Danforth was afforded the opportunity as the first-line center against the Florida Panthers.
Will Fantilli get that opportunity?
Connor Bedard averages 19:20 ice time per night, fourth among the Blackhawks and first among forwards, playing on the Chicago first line, while Fantilli sees an average of 15:09.
It's different situations, but the Blue Jackets likely have their future first-line center in Fantilli, and this could be the season to see how he does in the role.
Understandably, you don't want to mess with lines that are working, like the Russian line of Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov, and Yegor Chinakhov. Voronkov is second on the team with 0.63 points per game and is tied for sixth among rookies with 15 points (six goals, nine assists).
But in a season quickly heading the wrong way and left for assessing your young core, when else is a better opportunity to provide a longer leash for players and test them out in different situations?
Especially if the veterans aren't playing well as presently constituted, and Fantilli could be the guy to get Johnny Gaudreau going. This is what we referenced yesterday.
In the middle of a season headed for another high draft pick, it would be nice to know what the team has in its players already on the roster who they believe are the core and future of the next winning club.
