There are so many guys that could play
There has been much talk about who is going to play defense, and where this season for the Blue Jackets. The top 4, possibly even the top 6 are going to be accounted for. Zach Werenski, Damon Severson, Ivan Provorov, Erik Gudbranson are the automatic 4 on defense. Where the debate rages on is who will be 5, 6 and 7?
Many people believe that Adam Boqvist and Jake Bean will fill two of those positions, while guys like Nick Blankenburg, Jake Christiansen and a few others could be the 7th. Andrew Peeke won’t be on the opening roster come opening night according to some fans as well.
Meanwhile, up in Cleveland, they are absolutely stacked with defensive prospects. The much talked about David Jiricek is very close to being NHL ready. Marcus Bjork played 33 games for Columbus last season. Jake Christiansen has played 32 games for the CBJ the last two seasons. And then studs like Stanislav Svozil, Corson Ceulemans and Samuel Knazko could see NHL time this season as well.
We could honestly see guys rotating in and out of the 6th and 7th spot all year. Hopefully the injuries won’t be there and the top 6 will remain constant for the bulk of the season. That also depends on how the season goes in terms of winning and losing.
Another interesting thought is, what if GM Jarmo Kekalainen decides not to trade Peeke? What if he decides to rotate Boqvist, Bean and Peeke and then sends Blankenburg to Cleveland? Instead saving the decision to either trade guys or not until later in the season. This is a scenario I haven't seen as of yet, but is a real possibility.
That decision could be very fun to watch.