1. Center stage
By trading Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Winnipeg Jets for forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic on Jan. 23, they created a void at No. 1 center that has yet to be filled. Roslovic is the top candidate to handle that role this season. He scored an NHL career-high 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 48 games last season but sometimes struggled with the defensive structure put in place by former coach John Tortorella. Another option could be Max Domi, who scored 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 54 games last season but is expected to be out until at least December after having shoulder surgery June 3.
2. Net results
First-year coach Brad Larsen will be scrutinized for how he handles goalies Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo. They shared the workload last season (Merzlikins, 23 starts; Korpisalo, 31) and were projected to do so again, but could the five-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season that Merzlikins signed Sept. 21 signal who the Blue Jackets favor long term? Merzlikins (8-12-5, 2.77 goals-against average, .916 save percentage in 28 games last season) and Korpisalo (9-13-7, 3.30 GAA, .894 save percentage in 33 games) each signed a two-year contract through this season in April 2020; Korpisalo can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Complicating the situation is the death of
Matiss Kivlenieks
in a fireworks accident July 4, leaving Columbus without another goalie with NHL experience in the organization. Kivlenieks was in net for the two games not started by Merzlikins or Korpisalo in 2020-21. Daniil Tarasov came to North America from Russia last season, and the 22-year-old went 4-2-0 with a 3.16 GAA and an .896 save percentage in six games with Cleveland of the American Hockey League.
3. Werenski as top defenseman
Zach Werenski signed a six-year contract extension July 29 that could keep him in Columbus through the 2027-28 season. The 24-year-old will be the top defenseman and play in all situations after defenseman Seth Jones was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on July 23. Jones had led Columbus in average ice time per game for six straight seasons, including 25:14 last season, and now those responsibilities will fall to Werenski. After leading NHL defensemen with 20 goals in 63 games in 2019-20, Werenski scored seven goals in 35 games last season and missed the final 14 games because of surgery to repair a sports hernia.