Opportunity, uncertainty frame final decisions
Two main themes have governed over the Blue Jackets’ training camp and slate of preseason games.
Opportunity is one. Uncertainty is the other, and the latter is a byproduct of the former. Camp opened with a number of NHL roles and roster spots undetermined, providing multiple opportunities for players to improve their standing. And as things wind down there are still competitions for ice time that will roll right into the Jackets’ season-opener Thursday at Nationwide Arena.
Even goalies Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo are battling for the top job in net.
“Eight’s a lot (of preseason games), but we’re in that unique position where guys are still fighting for spots,” coach Brad Larsen said Friday, going into the final two exhibition games Friday in St. Louis and Saturday against Pittsburgh at Nationwide Arena. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing at this point.”
The roster Larsen and his coaching staff put together for the game in St. Louis was heavy on players who will start out with the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League. There were several whose immediate futures were still undecided, including Korpisalo in net and defensemen vying to earn regular NHL roles playing on the Jackets’ third pairing.
Saturday’s lineup more closely resembled what the Arizona Coyotes will likely face on opening night, but Larsen said nothing is finalized yet.
Those who appear to be riding the bubble include forwards Justin Danforth, Kevin Stenlund, Emil Bemstrom, Gregory Hoffman, Cole Sillinger and Yegor Chinakhov, along with defensemen Gabriel Carlsson, Andrew Peeke, Scott Harrington, Dean Kukan and Mikko Lehtonen.
Sillinger, 18, and Chinakhov, 20, are rookie wild cards. Should one or both survive the final cut, the Blue Jackets’ brain trust will have some tough calls to make on others, including some who’d require the league’s 24-hour waivers process to be assigned to Cleveland.
Voracek boosting power play
Going into their final two exhibition games, the Blue Jackets had the secondhighest success rate in the NHL on power plays. They were 7 of 20 (35%) through six games, including 6 of 10 (60%) with Jakub Voracek’s power play unit.
That’s almost certain to be the Jackets’ top group to start the season, featuring Voracek at right wing, Patrik Laine at left wing, Zach Werenski quarterbacking from the point, Boone Jenner in front of the net and Oliver Bjorkstrand right between the faceoff circles.
After Laine scored with a highlightreel move for the unit’s third power-play goal Wednesday against Detroit, all five players had scored at least once with the man advantage. Intensity and skill of opposing penalty-killers will increase in the regular season, but it’s been impressive to watch them work in the preseason.
Voracek, 32, is a big reason why. The veteran is an elite passing winger who can scoref, and is helping assistant coach Pascal Vincent by implementing tweaks he’s learned over the duration of his NHL career.
“He’s vocal,” Vincent said. “He knows what he wants and he knows what works. So, we work together. But him as a flank and a lefty (shot) … he can feed (Laine), he can feed (Werenski) at the blue line. We have a goal-line play (for Jenner) and now (Bjorkstrand’s) in the middle. That’s another weapon. So, choose what you’re going to cover.” bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger