Columbus Blue Jackets fantasy projections for 2022-23

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Columbus Blue Jackets. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the "NHL Fantasy on Ice" podcast.

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Top 250 rankings
NOTES: These fantasy projections (for 82-game season), a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua, have been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past performance in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, projected line combinations, power-play usage, team goalie situations, injury history or concern, sleeper upside, anticipated regression or bounce-back candidacy, age, contract status and overall upside for this season. The below totals are safe estimates and do not necessarily indicate each player's ceiling or floor and should be used as a basis for decision-making in all fantasy leagues. Players are listed below in order of NHL.com top 250 rank.
Blue Jackets 32 in 32: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
Johnny Gaudreau, LW -- He led the NHL in even-strength points (90) with the Calgary Flames last season and had career highs in points (115; tied for second in NHL) and goals (40; tied for 15th). Gaudreau was also the NHL leader in plus/minus (plus-64) and significantly boosts the Blue Jackets' fantasy appeal after signing a seven-year contract July 13. Gaudreau's individual point ceiling could decrease with Columbus lacking an elite center, but he remains a top 40 overall fantasy option and top 15 left wing.
NHL.com point projection for Gaudreau: 85
Patrik Laine, LW/RW -- He was a point-per-game player last season (56 points in 56 games; best rate of his NHL career) and could get a significant fantasy bump from playing on Gaudreau's opposite wing at even strength and on the first power play. Laine is among the NHL leaders in goals since entering the League in 2016-17 (176; 14th) and should be considered a fringe top 50 fantasy forward and top 100 overall player.
NHL.com point projection for Laine: 74

Zach Werenski, D -- Since entering the NHL in 2016-17, Werenski ranks seventh among defensemen in goals (76), 10th in shots on goal (1,045) and is tied for 17th at the position in points (237). Werenski has missed significant time because of injury in each of the past three seasons but should still be considered a fringe top 15 fantasy defenseman; he had an NHL career high in points (48) last season despite being limited to 68 games and now brings coveted exposure to Gaudreau.
NHL.com point projection for Werenski: 54
Boone Jenner, C -- He had his best points-per-game average (0.75; 44 in 59 games) last season and could start as the No. 1 center on a line with Gaudreau and Laine. There will be an ongoing competition for that spot with centers Jack Roslovic, Cole Sillinger and others, but Jenner has a high fantasy floor because of his strong hits coverage (2.3 per game in NHL career) and goal-scoring ability (23 last season; 30 in 2015-16).
NHL.com point projection for Jenner: 55
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Other CBJ players to consider in fantasy: Elvis Merzlikins, G; Adam Boqvist, D; Cole Sillinger, C; Jack Roslovic, C; Kent Johnson, LW; Jakub Voracek, LW/RW
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