This free agency preview is going to be a little different than I had planned on. I started out with the intention of putting together a lineup of the currently signed Blue Jackets players, where they fit in the lineup, and where holes still remained. The problem is that the Blue Jackets have such a versatile lineup, and enough prospects on the cusp of the NHL, that you can very easily put together a very solid looking lineup without adding a single player via UFA or trade. For example:
Forwards
Nick Foligno – Artem Anisimov – Marian Gaborik
RJ Umberger – Ryan Johansen – Brandon Dubinsky
Matt Calvert – Boone Jenner – Cam Atkinson
Blake Comeau – Mark Letestu – Jared Boll
Derek MacKenzie
Defense
Fedor Tyutin – Jack Johnson
Ryan Murray – James Wisniewski
Tim Erixon – Dalton Prout
Nikita Nikitin
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky – Curtis McElhinney
Not too shabby, eh? I think that is roster that has the potential to compete for a playoff spot in the newly designed Eastern Conference Division D (really hoping they come up with a better name than that). But that lineup does a few things I don’t think JD and Jarmo really want to do. It puts Murray and Jenner right into the NHL, something JD has only done once in St. Louis (David Perron). Usually he signs depth veterans, uses the youngsters as call-ups and makes them force their way onto the team (then flips the vets for picks later). It also has a number of players playing at a spot in their lineup that is probably above their heads. So what we are looking at here is probably not really a case of “filling holes” in the lineup, but more grabbing some veteran presence to force a few guys to really earn a spot. Of course fit is still an issue. With that in mind, I’ve gone through the entire CBJ roster and taken a look at where each player would ideally fit on a team. Not necessarily on the Blue Jackets, but on an NHL team in general. For example, the Blue Jackets only have one player who is ideally suited for first line minutes. This should give us a better idea of what kind of veteran presence should be targeted in free agency or trade.
Centre/Wing
Brandon Dubinsky – Ideally a second or third liner, playing the tough minutes, and taking most of the team’s faceoffs. Is just as comfortable on the wing or at centre. Will likely play first or second line minutes this season for the Jackets.
Artem Anisimov – Ideally a second line winger. He is very solid defensively, but I’d rather he play a more offensive role. His game is well suited to playing centre, but he is not strong enough on the draw. Will likely play first or second line minutes for the Jackets this season.
Ryan Johansen – A real wild card. He’s improved a lot, but still has a very long way to go. I highly doubt he doesn’t make the team, but it is probably a make or break year for him. He could be the one dangled as trade bait to bring in a skilled forward. Has played enough wing to fit there if need be, but has improved his faceoffs and overall play without the puck to the point where he should play centre. Probably slots in on the second line with the Blue Jackets, but could be a third liner.
Mark Letestu – The perfect utility player. He’s a very solid centre, but can play wing as well. Is a good penalty killer, can take on a defensive checking line role, but is skilled enough to play spot duty on a scoring line. I think he’s ideally suited to playing fourth line center next year, but can easily jump in and out of different lines as injuries/poor play dictate.
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault – He’s something of a longshot to make the team, but I would not be shocked to see him play his way into a spot. He’s got two fantastic AHL offensive seasons to his credit, and is versatile enough position-wise to fit into a top six role if injuries hit the Jackets. I think he probably gets a shot with the team before Boone Jenner does, as he has earned that chance with his play in Springfield.
Centre
Derek MacKenzie – He’s a fourth liner, pure and simple. Doesn’t do anything good enough to play higher in the lineup, but is fine on the fourth. I think him and Boll will be battling to see who is the healthy scratch. Has played a little wing in the past, but I did not think he was very good there. Seems like fourth line center or bust for DMac.
Boone Jenner – I think he’s a longer shot to make the team than most. JD and Jarmo just don’t rush guys, they are very patient. He should start the year in Springfield, and be one of the first call-ups when someone goes down. He should also only play at centre. His future is at centre, and he can go to Springfield. If he makes the Jackets, it has to be as the second or third line centre. Otherwise, send him to Springfield and let him learn to play centre against men there.
Winger
Marian Gaborik – Top line winger. Not much else to say here. He’s got to play better than he did last year, but there is no arguing with the talent.
RJ Umberger – Ideally he’s a seventh forward. Guy who plays on the third line when the team is healthy, but can get spot duty in the top six when need be. This is the role he excelled at in Philadelphia before coming to the Jackets. He’s overpaid for this role, but that’s where he should be. I also think this is the role he will have this coming year.
Nick Foligno – Ideally a second line winger. He’s got enough grit to play a checking role, but has the skill to play in a scoring role. He will likely spot in on the first or second line this year.
Cam Atkinson – Cam is probably not what you think he is, or really what anyone thought he would be. He is a very good hockey player, and locked down a spot in the top nine for sure, but he’s not really much of a scorer to this point. What he is, is a player who dominates possession, and works really well as a checking line forward. He doesn’t look like your typical checker at first glance, but Cam’s lines have consistently outshot their opponents by wide margins while he’s been on the ice. He’s probably in a similar spot to Umberger. Best suited to the third line, with spot duty in the top six.
Jared Boll – Boll is a marginal NHLer, who is probably best as a spare forward, only playing in cases of injury or an added boost of toughness.
Blake Comeau – He’s what a fourth liner should be in the NHL these days. Brings a hint of offense, provides some energy, and is good enough a two-way player to not be a liability in the third period of a close game.
Matt Calvert – Like Atkinson, Calvert really is a checking forward who doesn’t really look like one. He brings a little less offense than Cam, but he’s even better at driving possession. He’s also a very good penalty killer. I think ideally, he’d fit as something of a third or fourth line player, bouncing between them as need be.
Defense
James Wisniewski – A second pair defenseman, paired with a solid defensive defenseman, and dropping bombs on the powerplay.
Fedor Tyutin – A second pair defenseman who is well-rounded and can play in any situation. You want a dependable guy paired with him, to minimize those nights where Tyutin is very Tyutin.
Jack Johnson – A second pair defenseman, paired with a solid defensive defenseman, running the point on the powerplay.
Ryan Murray – He’s an interesting guy to watch here. The history of defensemen drafted high in the draft says he should be in the NHL quickly, not to rush him, but because he is good enough to deserve to be there. He eventually should be the kind of minute munching, reliable defenseman who can pair with a Wisniewski or Johnson and make their mistakes a non-issue.
Nikita Nikitin – He was a reliable guy in the 2011-12 season, but wasn’t so much that last year. He’s also got a solid shot from the point. I found his play fell off the face of the earth last season, but he deserves the opportunity to earn his spot back. He’s a reliable second pair guy at best, but he may end up just being a third pair/depth defenseman, or even trade bait.
Tim Erixon – Erixon’s upside is that of a very reliable two-way defenseman, most likely on the second pair. He’s not there yet, but should lock down a third pair spot this season with the ability to jump up in the lineup as need be.
Dalton Prout – I am the only person in the world who doesn’t love him, I guess. He’s fine defensively, but he needs a puck mover with him, as he doesn’t quite have NHL puck skills. I’m fine with him as a six/seven guy, especially as he is one of only two right handed shots (Wiz being the other).
Ilari Melart – Big, physical defensive defenseman. Left-handed shot. Jarmo took no time at all in signing him, being familiar with him from Finland. I think he’s a guy to watch in rounding out the depth of the team. It’s going to come down to his puck-moving abilities on the NHL rink. If he can start the breakout, and be otherwise reliable, he’d be a very good fit with Wisniewski or Johnson.
David Savard – His development has stagnated over the last couple years, but he still has the offensive chops to be a third pair guy, with powerplay time. He needs to get there soon though. I think we’ll see him get some time in Columbus, while running the show in Springfield. Bonus points for being a righthanded shot.
Cody Goloubef – Similar to Savard in a a number of ways, minus style of play. A righthanded shot who needs to set himself as an NHL defenseman soon. I think he can be a third pair/depth guy very soon, but more likely headed for Springfield this year.
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky – He’s obviously the starter, and now paid like he’s a top ten one at that. I’m a little worried about him over a full 82 game season. He was great this year in a shortened season, terrible the year before in a backup role, and split his rookie year between good and terrible. Through the first half of his rookie year in Philadelphia, he has a .932 save percentage, exactly what he put up this year over about a half season’s worth of games. His second half of his only 82 game season came with a Steve Mason-esque .906 save percentage. Can he hold up to the rigors of an 82 game season?
Curtis McElhinney – Was great as a starter in Springfield, but that doesn’t mean much to me. Some goalies are not able to play once or twice a month and still be sharp. Has he improved and/or figured out how to do that? Maybe. But I would feel much better with him as the Springfield starter/NHL insurance.
So what does that all mean?
I see this team having one first line forward (Gaborik), four second liners (Dubinsky, Anisimov, Foligno, Johansen), four third liners (Umberger, Atkinson, Letestu, Calvert), three fourth liners (Boll, MacKenzie, Comeau), and a few wildcards (Jenner, Audy-Marchessault). To me, that is too many players playing above their heads. If we want to have a Boston-esque lineup of rolling four solid lines, without a top line of true top line players, then you need to have players on the third and fourth line who should be second or third line players. Unless Atkinson or Calvert can take a jump offensively, or Jenner or JAM can jump into the top nine, this team is probably two top nine forwards short. I’d like to see and opening night lineup looking like this:
Foligno – Anisimov – Gaborik
UFA – Dubinsky – UFA
Umberger – Johansen – Atkinson
Calvert – Letestu – Comeau
MacKenzie – Boll (spare forwards)
On defense, I count three second pair guys (Tyutin, Wisniewski, Johnson), two second/third pair tweeners (Erixon, Nikitin), one third pair guy (Prout), and a whole bunch of wildcards (Murray, Melart, Savard, Goloubef). This is similar to the issue up front. Enough NHL calibre players, but too many guys playing over their heads. I don’t think any of the wildcard players will be given a spot, meaning Murray, Melart, Savard and Goloubef will form Springfield’s defense corps. With that said, what I would like to see is something like this:
Tyutin – Wisniewski
Johnson – UFA
Erixon – Nikitin
Prout
Now goaltending. I really, really hope Jarmo and JD don’t plan on rolling with a Bobrovsky-McElhinney tandem next year. I’ll reiterate the factoid I posted earlier: Bobrovsky had a .932 save percentage through the first half of his season as a starter in Philadelphia. He also had a .932 save percentage this past year. But he only played half a season due to the lockout. Over a full year, would he have worn down and had a .906 over the second half, like he did in Philadelphia? It’s a legitimate concern, and one that needs to be addressed by having a 1B type goaltender, not a ten game a year backup like McElhinney. If they can grab a solid backup goaltender, and have McElhinney as the starter in Springfield again, that would be ideal. And yes, I am aware that CMac has a one-way contract. This means nothing. All it means is that he will make $600k no matter where he plays. Longtime AHL vets in an organization get these kinds of deals all the time. Doesn’t mean he has a spot locked up.
Free Agent Targets
So for my ideal roster to come to fruition, the team needs to add two second line calibre forwards, probably wingers, but Dubinsky could move to the wing on that line if the the best candidate is a centre. They also need to add a second pair defenseman, someone who is reliable, can partner with Johnson in eating up minutes, doesn’t need powerplay time, and is preferably a right-handed shot. Finally, a goaltender, of the backup variety, but preferably closer to someone who can play up to thirty games next year. So that is four players, and with about $14m in salary cap space. And the candidates for those four spots are…..
Forwards
Mike Ribeiro – Probably the most talented player available, he’d immediately up the powerplay, and help turn the second line into something deadly. You could even swap him and Anisimov, and pair him with Gaborik on the top line, as Ribeiro is an excellent distributor. A few problems: first, he’s the antithesis of what the Blue Jackets want a player to be, he’s getting up there in age (33), and he’s seeking a five year deal at $5m per. That’s a little too rich.
Michael Ryder – Also 33 years old, Ryder will come cheaper and on a shorter term. He had a sneaky good season, scoring 16 goals, and chipping in with 19 assists for a very solid 35 points in 46 games split between Dallas and Montreal. He could get squeezed out of the market and would be a decent option on a one or two year deal for $3m.
Brad Boyes – Boyes is interesting. He’s a former 40 goal scorer, who has had a much better career than you probably think (168g, 239a in 606 games), which roughly translates to an average of 23g, 32a, for 55 points over an 82 game season. He’s 31 years old and coming off a one year, $1m deal with the Islanders, and he’s probably seeking a longer payday. If he is willing to sign another short “prove it” contract, or is willing to sign for sub-$3m, then I would have no issues with Boyes on the second line.
Vinny Prospal – You didn’t think I’d forget Vinny, did you? Bringing him back on the second line is a fine option, but he’s lower on the list. Fine production, good leadership, but there are just better players out there. Remember, he signed with the Blue Jackets for the first time in August, after Huselius got injured. At his age, there are very few teams Vinny would want to go to (and teams that would want him in their top six). If the Blue Jackets whiff on just about every available top six forward, Vinny will still be there for the signing.
Tyler Bozak – Bozak wants a lot of money, and I just don’t see why. He doesn’t do enough things good to be worth first line money (which he wants). If he overplays his hand, everyone uses up cap space, I wouldn’t mind signing him for the second/third line at $2-2.5m a year on a short term.
Derek Roy – Roy was a legit top line player for a good three and a half seasons (117g, 201a for 318 points in 350 games) before getting injured in 2010 and missing the rest of the season. He hasn’t been the same player since, with just 72 points in his last 122 games. But he’s only 30 years old, and could be a nice find on a cheap one year deal, where he plays top six minutes to try and find his offense again, and the Jackets get cheap production.
Damien Brunner – It would be so much fun for the Jackets to steal out Brunner from underneath the Red Wings. He’s only 27 years old, and just finished his first year in the NHL, putting up a respectable 26 points in 44 games. He’d be a bit of a risk though, and would take a little more commitment in term and dollar than I’d like.
Brenden Morrow – Morrow would bring solid veteran leadership to replace Vinny, would be a good fit style-wise, and once had the skill to play a top six role. He’s just fallen so far in ability as he’s aged, and I fear his name alone will get him a little too much money on the open market.
David Clarkson – Clarkson scares me a little. He’s scored a lot of goals the last two seasons, with a 30 goal year under his belt in 2011-12. But he was a grinder before that. It would be the equivalent of Derek Dorsett breaking out and scoring 30 goals, then following it up with a 20 game hot streak before cooling off to his previous level. Do you trust that he’s a 30 goal scorer? He was that player for only 100 games out of his 426 game NHL career. For the amount he’s going to cost (over $4m) and the amount of term (probably 4 to 6 years), I think there are better options out there. I’d rather shell out an extra $2m a year and get Nathan Horton.
Viktor Stalberg – Kind of like “if you can’t beat them, join them”, only the opposite. Stalberg has been a notorious Jacket killer, and possesses enough speed and talent to be a good second/third line tweener. He shouldn’t cost too much on too long of a deal, so he’d be an interesting choice if the better options fall through.
Nathan Horton – Made $5.5m last season in the final year of a deal signed with Florida way back in 2007-08. He’d be a perfect fit alongside Dubinsky on the second line, would fit the mold of what the Blue Jackets want in a player, adds a potential 30 goal scorer, and he’s only 28 years old. The downside is that he will probably cost upwards of $6m on a reasonably long term deal, and he’s been dealt a few concussions. I would love to see him in the union blue, but I think he’ll have many suitors and end up somewhere else.
Mason Raymond – Hasn’t matched his 25g, 53 point 2009-10 season, but he’s still only 27 years old and possesses the talent and game to be a better version of what Stalberg will bring. He’s an interesting name to watch, as he’s a tweener between the top six and bottom. If someone sees him as a top six guy, he might be priced more than he’s worth. But if that doesn’t happen, he could be a good value signing for $2m over three years or so.
Clarke MacArthur – A good two-way player, can play “Blue Jackets hockey”, and is a multiple time 20 goal scorer, who fell out of favour in Toronto for some reason. He’s only 28 years old, and could be a solid reclamation project on a short term deal, or maybe he can be had for Nick Foligno money ($3m over 3 years).
Ryane Clowe – He’s a little old, a little too slow, a little too similar to RJ Umberger for my tastes. I’m not sure he’s a top six forward anymore either, but like Morrow, he’ll get top six money based on his name alone.
Valtteri Filppula – Filppula was supposed to be the Red Wings “next Datsyuk/Zetterberg” for a long time, and it just never happened. He’s 29 years old, and a solid top six forward but whether he’s a fit for the Jackets or not will come down to what season he’s asking to get paid on. Is it his 23 goal, 66 point 2011-12 season or his 9 goal, 17 point (in 41 games) 2013? If it’s the first one, he’ll cost more than he’s worth. If it’s the latter, he might be a decent fit on the second line.
Peter Mueller – Mueller could be another solid reclamation project on a cheap, one year deal. He was a blossoming star before injuries sidetracked him. He missed the entire 2010-11 season, and has only played 75 games since then, putting up 15 goals and 33 points in that time. But last season he was possibly the most unlucky player in the entire NHL. He put shots on goal at a borderline elite level (3 per game), finishing 31st among forward in the NHL in shots per game (tied with Jarome Iginla, Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeron, and just above Patrick Kane, Daniel Sedin, Corey Perry, Marian Hossa, Claude Giroux, and Jeff Carter). Even worse, Mueller’s teammates couldn’t finish either. His on ice shooting percentage was 304th (out of 336) in the NHL among forwards who played at least 30 games. He is due to rebound points-wise in a huge way this year, and could be great value for the Jackets.
Danny Briere – We all know the story here now, but if he wants Vinny Lecavalier money, no thanks. He’d be a good second line fit, help the powerplay, fit in style-wise, and be a good veteran presence in a young lineup. I just think he will cost too much for too long.
Dan Cleary – Cleary has been a consummate seventh forward for the Red Wings for a long time. He had a down regular season, but stepped it up in the playoffs. If the market passes him by, he could be a solid short term addition.
Dustin Penner – Penner did not have a particularly good season (or run in LA in general). If you are sensing a theme here, it’s find a guy with talent/a good track record, and sign him to a short term deal. Penner also fits this mold, could be had for cheap, and would be a good fit. He’d be trying to parlay this year into a bigger, longer contract next offseason, while the Jackets would get time to allow Jenner, JAM, Wennberg, Rychel, etc. to develop.
Stephen Weiss – The best for last (the players are ordered by points scored in the 2013 NHL season), Weiss missed most of this past year to injury. But he would be a fantastic fit in Columbus. A sound two way player capable of running off 50 points season, he’s gritty enough to really fit the Blue Jackets style. I’d take him on a one year reclamation deal, or even on a longer one if he’s willing to player for the same rate as before ($4m per season).
Defense
Ron Hainsey – The defensive prospects are not nearly as numerous as the potential forward fits, but fortunately that is less of a need. Hainsey appears at number one here, as I’m ordering FA options by time on ice per game. Hainsey has been a guy saddled with tough minutes over the last few years, and he hasn’t been particularly great in them, but he’s eaten up minutes and been generally reliable. On the right deal, I’d be okay with him, something like $2-3m for one year.
Rob Scuderi – Scuderi is a little older than Hainsey, a little more rugged, a little less offensively inclined. But other than that he’s very similar. He’s played a lot of very tough minutes, been not particularly great in them, but has generally been reliable.
Michal Rozsival – Has been criminally underrated for a few years now. He signed a terrible deal with the Rangers, got the dreaded “terribly overpaid” label and hasn’t seemed to be able to shake it. He is a very steady player though, capable of playing fairly difficult minutes, and is a righthanded shot. He’s coming off a one year, $2m deal, and a similar deal would be a great pickup for the Jackets.
Andrew Ference – Like I said, pickings are slim this season for mid-tier defense. Ference would probably not fit in on the second pair, but if they want a six/seven defenseman, Ference would be a fine addition, as he appeared to be a major part of the Bruins off the ice, a fan favorite, and probably the best skater in the NHL at using social media. On the ice, he’s a fine six/seven defenseman, not much more. One year at less than $2m and I’m happy with the pickup.
Tom Gilbert – Gilbert would be my number one target. He’s a more talented player than anyone else listed here, he’s a righthanded shot, can play tough minutes not too terribly, and fits the reclamation project mold. He has a bad year last season, but a good year on a one year deal this season could see the 30 year old Gilbert looking at a better deal in a year.
Carlo Colaiacovo – Hey look, another reclamation project! Carlo is a good player when he can stay on the ice. He signed with Detroit last season on a fairly cheap two year deal, hoping to stay healthy and get his career back on track. But he’s been bought out, and will be available on a one year deal for under $2m. I like this option, as with Murray, Savard, Goloubef, and Melart in the AHL, a 40 game season from Colaiacovo would mean at least 40 games given to those guys.
Adrian Aucoin – I have to address him, but I think he only comes back if he’s willing to take a pay cut on a one year deal, and know he’s going to be the seventh defenseman. I’d rather see the team try and add him to the coaching staff. With Keith Acton moving on, I could see them move Dan Hinote from the press box to the bench, and adding Aucoin as the eye in the sky.
Goaltenders
Ilya Bryzgalov – Don’t laugh. He perfectly fits the reclamation project theme. He’s still a pretty talented goalie that should hang on somewhere. The only question is if the KHL offers him too much money. On a one year, $1.5m deal, I am happy with Bryz. The bigger issue though is with Bobrovsky. How would he take Bryzgalov being brought in to pair with him again, even if Bob would clearly be the starter?
Rick DiPietro – See Bryzgalov, but without the personal history. DiPietro hasn’t been good in a long time, but he looked like he was becoming a star goaltender before he started getting hurt every other game. He’s still only 31, and would probably take a one year deal at the league minimum if it meant he had a shot at an NHL job (remember, he’s got all the juicy Islanders buyout money coming to him as well).
Jose Theodore – He’s up there in age (36), and was not particularly good last season in Florida (.893, 3.29), but he was a very solid .917, 2.46 the year before. If he’s up for signing a one year deal for less than $1.5m, then I would be quite pleased.
Jason Labarbera – He’s put up very good numbers as the backup in Phoenix over the last few years (.923, 2.64 last season), and could probably be had for the same contract he just completed in Phoenix ($1.25 per year for two years). If he’ll take one year at the same price, I’d be pleased. He might even be my preferred option, as we know for a fact that he is capable at coming off the bench once or twice a month and playing well. Not all goalies can do that.
Ray Emery – Was fantastic as Corey Crawford’s backup this season in Chicago. He’s probably looking for a spot where he can be a starter or challenge for a starting job, that is if he doesn’t re-sign in Chicago.
Anton Khudobin – Tuuka Rask’s backup in Boston this season, he could be a nice pickup with some upside. He’ll cost less than a million dollars, and was quite good as a backup (.920, 2.32). I could see him getting an offer in the KHL though (hey, Russian stereotypes, yay!).
Dan Ellis – Ellis has bounced around a bit, and has been pretty mediocre lately (.906, 3.13 last year in Carolina), but he would be cheap (under $1m), and has a better NHL track record than Curtis McElhinney, and was just as good as him in the AHL last year (Ellis had .922, 2.46 in 18 games before joining the Hurricanes, McElhinney had a .923, 2.32).
Leland Irving – Irving had been the Flames goalie of the future forever, and has never become what was expected. He was bad in the AHL and the NHL last season, but I could see them taking a risk on him on a two-way contract to come and battle with McElhinney in training camp.
Alex Stalock – Stalock has been a great AHL goaltender for awhile now, following a very good NCAA career at Minnesota-Duluth. He hasn’t really gotten a shot in the NHL yet, so he’d be a bit of a risk, but I could see them bringing in Stalock much like Mark Dekanich a couple years ago. Sign him to a one-way, and let McElhinney and Stalock battle for the job.
Al Montoya – He’s been underwhelming as a backup the last two seasons (.893, .899) following a very good 2010-11 season (.921, 2.39). He’d come cheap though, around the league minimum on a one-way deal, and has a better NHL track record than McElhinney, and is still only 28 years old.
Mark Dekanich – Remember him? He’s still kicking around, but has yet to really find the form he had before injuries ruined his lone season in Columbus (well Springfield). He could be brought in much like Irving, on a two way deal, with the chance to win the job in camp.
Thomas Greiss – This list is ordered by their cap hits last season, otherwise Greiss would be much higher. He’s a proven NHL backup, with three straight years of starter level numbers while playing part time (.912, .915, .915). He’ll cost a little more (probably closer to $1.5m over a couple year), but he would be much more reliable than anyone else on the list, and he’s only 27 years old. Another good year as a backup, and he could have value next offseason as someone to be flipped in a trade for a team looking for a starter.
So there is an exhausting look at the players I think the Jackets should be targeting tomorrow. My dream pickups would be Horton and Weiss at forward, with Rozsival and Greiss on the backend. That would push the upper limit of the cap, as Horton and Weiss will command $10m combined, Rozsival will take $2m, and Greiss $1.5m. I would also be quite pleased with Mueller, MacArthur, Gilbert, Scuderi, Colaiacovo, Ference, Labarbara, Khudobin, Theodore, and DiPietro, in that order (by position).
So here we go, the Coach’s official ideal lineup for the 2013-14 season:
Foligno – Anisimov – Gaborik
Dubinsky – Weiss – Horton
Umberger – Johansen – Atkinson
Calvert – Letestu – Comeau
MacKenzie – Boll
Tyutin – Wisniewski
Johnson – Rozsival
Erixon – Nikitin
Prout
Bobrovsky – Greiss
Obviously there could be some movement in the actual line combinations (specifically Horton playing on the top line with Gaborik), but that would give the Jackets a lot more players playing where they should be on a good team. I had thought this was a a bit of a pipe dream, but then word came down yesterday that Horton was in town visiting the Blue Jackets. That is a pretty significant development, and fills me with hope heading into July 5th. So let us know how you feel about the Blue Jackets roster, their needs in free agency, and who you think they should target.
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