This week for the roundtable we asked you, the readers, to give us a topic to discuss. You once again exceeded our expectations and came up with a great question for us.
@BuckeyeStHockey how many current lake Erie monsters could make an impact next year with the jackets? And who
— Brett Sidoryk (@iamTwigggy) May 5, 2016
Mark (Twitter formerly known as @RedditCBJ)
If I had to predict: Korpisalo, Bjorkstrand, Werenski and Milano. Rychel will probably, in my opinion, be traded before the season starts unless Jarmo is able to make room for him.
Jeremy (@307x)
There are very few roster spots open, so unless there are major roster changes coming, it’s going to be difficult for any of the current Monsters to make much of an impact out of the gate. Zach Werenski’s pedigree is going to lend itself to him getting the longest look in camp. The team already has a full defensive corps signed to one-way deals, so it may take some manoeuvring, but if he comes into camp and plays as well as he has with Lake Erie so far, he’ll have a shot to make an immediate impact on the blueline. Joonas Korpisalo is another obvious one. Him being the third string goalie is a luxury for the team, as when the inevitable goalie injury happens, he’ll get his name called and could put together another strong string of starts. It’s even possible that the team jettisons Curtis McElhinney to the AHL, giving Joonas the back-up job immediately. Oliver Bjorkstrand should get every opportunity to make the team out of camp. With eight points in 12 games with Columbus this season, Bjorkstrand showed flashes of being a useful secondary scoring option, and whether that was a late-season mirage or not, he should be given the opportunity to try and re-capture that in 2016/17.
I had Anderson in my original list but decided to put Werenski on instead because I think that if he does make the team, he has a far greater chance of being an impact player than a role player like Anderson. But Anderson has done a lot of 3rd line duty for the Monsters this season, playing on somewhat of a “shutdown” line recently with Sedlak and Hannikainen, so he has some experience in that sort of “defensive” role.
Paul (@PaulBerthelot)
Korpisalo, and Werenski are the two I see having an impact. Korpisalo should be the back up goalie giving the team the luxury of having a quality back-up, behind Bob. That will allow them to rest Bob more during the season and hopefully keep him healthy. Werenski does not currently have a spot but i can see him coming into camp and out performing most of the current d-core. He will force his way into the line-up. I excluded Bjorkstrand as I think he will be passed by Puljujarvi/Laine and wont get the top 6 time he needs to make a big impact.
Coach (@TheCoach_BSH)
I think it really comes down to how we define “impact”. I don’t think any of the current Monsters will be impact players for the CBJ next year. Considering how many NHL contracts are already tied up, it would take a significant amount of work to clear enough room for more than one or two rookies. Considering the 3rd overall pick will likely be taking one of those spots, that really only leaves one more.
Werenski has a good chance, but something has to give among the defensemen for him to get in, as they have 7 guys on one-way deals. Bjorkstrand probably has the most talent, but I’m just not sure the roster spot that will be available will best suit him. I would probably rather have him back in Lake Erie next year, playing on the top line, and being called up if a top six forward goes down. Rychel is my pick for a 3rd/4th line swing player on the wing, as he’s shown he can be a legit bottom six forward with the CBJ this season. As for Joonas, I see him as I see Bjorkstrand. He’s clearly better than McElhinney, but Bobrovsky is still the much better goalie. His stretch of play in December is the best stretch of hockey he has ever played, and that is saying a lot. I would have Bob start most of the games in the NHL, Joonas playing every night in Lake Erie, and getting the call up if Bob gets hurt or needs a rest. So basically Curtis McElhinney only plays if Bob gets pulled or hurt in game.
Dark horse: Michael Chaput. CBJ lack depth down the middle, and he could make the team as a 4th/5th center.
Alison (@AlisonL)
Agreeing with the points everyone has made, the only name I will add to the conversation is Josh Anderson. Much like the Coach’s points on Rychel, when we look at a prospect’s possible fit vs opportunity available at the NHL level in Columbus right now, I think that if the fourth line continues to be a work in progress, Josh has shown the ability and readiness to be a meaningful part of a contributing bottom six.
Bert (@RockmanHalo)
Most of you have already talked about the players I would have picked. Lots of talent came down towards the end of the Jackets season. Korpisalo in my opinion will have the largest impact.
What say you? Which player will have the most impact next year? Do you have an outside the box suggestion?
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