Protecting Blue Jackets is job of Olivier, Gudbranson

There's a growing belief in NHL circles that fighting will eventually be banned from hockey.

If so, players who offer toughness and intimidation as their main tools could disappear with it. Until such time arrives, however, it's a good idea to have an enforcer around. Since last season, the Blue Jackets have two with Erik Gudbranson, a mammoth defenseman, and forward Mathieu Olivier, who's put together like an outside linebacker.

“Two years ago, we had a decent season, but the bench was challenged every game,” Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said. “Last year, with ‘Guddy' and ‘Ollie' on the bench, not once (did) the other team come to the bench and challenge the bench. They know they're there, so it allows guys like Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine and Zach Werenski to be a little more free to play their game because they know the other team knows, ‘If we go after those guys ... there's a price to pay.'”

Vincent was former coach Brad Larsen's associate in 2021-22, the season Jakub Voracek was injured on Marcus Foligno's open ice hit late in the first game at Nationwide Arena and Werenski was concussed during a rematch at Xcel Energy Center on hit by Wild defenseman Jacob Middleton.

Neither hit was penalized despite Middleton's helmet ramming into Werenski's chin and Foligno extending a knee prior to a knee-on-knee collision with Voracek.

Olivier and Gudbranson were acquired the following offseason via trade (Olivier) and free agency (Gudbranson), and that took care of the issue. Olivier answered the bell nine times, including once in Calgary against

Milan Lucic, and Gudbranson squared off in three while issuing multiple unaccepted challenges to opposing benches.

“With the mental side of it, the intimidation factor is always there,” Olivier said. “So, we didn't want that to be an issue for us last year. Me and ‘Guddy' plan to keep that going this year. My job is to make sure (the skill players) feel as comfortable as possible on the ice, and then I can add and contribute to it.”

ADAM CAIRNS/COLUMBUS DISPATCH Referees try to separate Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier from Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt during a game in February.