Blue Jackets Showing Hints of What NHL Roster Could Look Like – The Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have only played one preseason game going into Wednesday night’s home preseason opener against the St. Louis Blues. However, Tuesday’s practice gave some insight into where things stand with the potential NHL roster.

Just one day after the Blue Jackets’ 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the team assigned goaltender Evan Gardner, defenseman Charlie Elick and forward Tyler Peddle to their respective junior teams. With the exception of forward Luca Pinelli, who will play Wednesday, most everyone else is destined for the NHL or AHL.

Head coach Dean Evason elected to split the two groups into mostly NHL and AHL groups. While these are certainly not final with seven preseason games to play, it does indicate where things currently stand.

Notably in the NHL group, forward Dylan Gambrell along with defensemen Jordan Harris and Jake Christiansen skated with those expected to make the opening night roster. Notably in the AHL group, forwards Owen Sillinger and Gavin Brindley along with defenseman Denton Mateychuk skated later in the day with those expected to start with the Cleveland Monsters.

Gambrell skated where Owen Sillinger skated to start camp, on a line with Sean Kuraly and Mathieu Olivier. Justin Danforth’s injury has left a potential opening on the left side of the fourth line.

Gambrell has some decent NHL experience with the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators. He spent the 2023-24 season in the AHL for the Toronto Marlies. Should Danforth not be ready for the opener, there’s a good chance of that, several players could vie for that bottom-six spot.

Evason has said that they will look at different combinations and players to see where they could fit. Owen Sillinger is on the roster for Wednesday night’s game. That could be his best chance to make an impression in a game. James Malatesta is also on the roster for Wednesday and could fill that spot.

Here is what the NHL group looked like on Tuesday in lines.

• Boone Jenner – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko
• James van Riemsdyk – Adam Fantilli – Yegor Chinakhov
• Dmitri Voronkov – Cole Sillinger – Kent Johnson
• Dylan Gambrell – Sean Kuraly – Mathieu Olivier
• Zach Werenski – Damon Severson
• Ivan Provorov – David Jiricek
• Jack Johnson – Erik Gudbranson
• Jake Christiansen –…