COLUMBUS, Ohio — A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did-you-knows gathered throughout the week that was for the Columbus Blue Jackets:Item No. 1: The lineupThere’s still plenty of summer to go. There’s still time for trades, an offer sheet — involving the Blue Jackets or a Blue Jackets player — and there’s still time to sign a straggler on the free-agent market.But there’s also a strong chance that the Blue Jackets’ lineup is currently settled, once they get all of their restricted free agents signed.The new faces are top-six forward Valeri Nichushkin and fourth-line rabble-rouser Ryan Lomberg. The Blue Jackets learned this week that they’ll be without fourth-line center Isac Lundeström for the first couple months of the season.In other words, two new wingers and one less center, which gives coach Rick Bowness a big opportunity to mix and match his wingers — not to mention the competition he craves — but it also gives a bevy of young prospects a chance to make the squad out of camp.With two-plus months to go before the start of training camp, here’s an educated guess at what the Blue Jackets’ lineup could look like, with a “plus” and “minus” for each line, plus a wrinkle to consider. Enjoy!Kent Johnson-Adam Fantilli-Kirill MarchenkoPlus: Fantilli and Marchenko spent most of last season playing together, so there’s familiarity and a history of production.Minus: Johnson is the top playmaker on the roster, so he could help elevate Fantilli and Marchenko, and vice versa. But he’s coming off a poor season and has a lot to prove.Wrinkle: It might be hard to keep Nichushkin on the second line, as he might be the most talented forward on the roster. Expect some mixing and matching here, as the new player shows coaches where he best fits.Valeri Nichushkin-Sean Monahan-Connor GarlandPlus: Nichushkin is an upgrade over Marchment, Monahan is back to health after fighting injuries all last season and Garland is now settled in Columbus.Minus: The Blue Jackets’ No. 2 line was a vacuum all last season, mostly due to Monahan’s struggles. Garland has yet to really click with any of the centers.Wrinkle: We’ve got Dmitri Voronkov in the bottom six, but it might be tempting to put him and Nichuskin — twin Russian towers — on either side of Monahan for a heavy, heavy line.F3: Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu OlivierPlus: Familiarity. These three formed the Blue Jackets’ most consistent line last season. On many nights, they played more like a No. 1 or 2 line.Minus: When is the last time the Blue Jackets have had a line actually stick together? The summer is long. Can these three recreate the magic?Wrinkle: If Garland or Johnson can’t hang in the top six like last season, it might be hard to keep this line together. Bowness has so much faith in these three that they are top candidates to “spot in” on a line.Dmitri Voronkov-Luca Del Bel Belluz-Ryan LombergPlus: It’s a mix of speed (Lomberg), size (Voronkov) and skill (Del Bel Belluz) that could chip in offensively in addition to providing energy.Minus: Voronkov is an odd part here. Del Bel Belluz hasn’t defined himself yet at the NHL, much less earned the job. This line has been a pieces/parts line for the past few years, and that’s not good.Wrinkle: Keep an eye on Jack Williams, Oiva Keskinen, Owen Sillinger and Del Bel Belluz for that fourth-line center spot left open by Lundeström’s injury. Cole Sillinger could slot here, too. And don’t forget Miles Wood as a winger. We have him listed as an extra.Zach Werenski-Damon SeversonPlus: It looked last season like Severson had really found a home next to Werenski, especially at the end of the season. The puck-moving was quick and crisp and simple.Minus: Only fair to wonder what kind of reception Werenski will get after the offseason drama. And only fair to wonder if Severson has truly cast aside his first two seasons of struggle in Columbus.Wrinkle: Both Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro have spent considerable time with Werenski the past two seasons. Bowness is dialed in defensively this season, so he might reconsider everything in camp.Denton Mateychuk-Ivan ProvorovPlus: Mateychuk (13 goals) was quietly one of the best rookies in the league last season. Provorov was steady as ever. Together, they form a solid second pair, one that draws most of the tough defensive assignments.Minus: Bowness is known to favor left-right combinations on his pairing, and both of these guys are lefties. The only people not bothered by it are Mateychuk and Provorov, it seems.Wrinkle: Mateychuk played an entire season of junior on the right side, and says he doesn’t mind it at all. The Jackets were reluctant to give him that challenge as a rookie last season, but maybe that’s changed.Dante Fabbro-Erik GudbransonPlus: Gudbranson has battled fluke injuries the past two seasons, but he’s back to health and working hard in Columbus this summer. There’s a lot to prove here for both players.
Blue Jackets Monday Gathering: After summer moves, projecting the 2026-27 lineup
There's a chance that the Blue Jackets' lineup is currently settled, once they get all of their restricted free agents signed.







