For the last 14 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

This year, due to Dobber’s battle with cancer, he recruited Cam Robinson (of Frozen Pool Forensics fame) to pinch hit. The 15th annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey.

Enjoy!

Gone – Brandon Saad, Scott Hartnell, Sam Gagner, Anton Forsberg, William Karlsson, Ryan Stanton, Oscar Dansk, Keegan Kolesar, Dante Salituro, David Clarkson, Kyle Quincey

Incoming – Artemi Panarin, Tyler Motte, Jordan Schroeder, Cameron Gaunce, Andre Benoit, Matiss Kivlenieks

Impact of changes – A rare blockbuster occurred right before the Entry Draft and the results will greatly affect the Blue Jackets’ fantasy outlook. The incoming Artemi Panarin offers a truly dynamic offensive player to line up on the top left-wing spot. He brings with him 151 points in 162 NHL contests. Moving from Patrick Kane’s hip pocket during all situations will be a touch of a downgrade for the talented Russian but slotting in beside burgeoning young star, Alexander Wennberg isn’t too shabby. Panarin will replace the departed Sam Gagner on the team’s top power play unit.  Wennberg will likely see an uptick from his 57 points in 2016-17 so long as the two players mesh well.

The loss of Saad will be felt at both ends of the rink as his heavy game was a boon for a team that tries to maintain a physical presence with John Tortorella behind the bench, but incoming Tyler Motte can help fill that void. Joonas Korpisalo is now officially the team’s back-up goaltender and offers good value from that position.

Ready for full-time – Oliver Bjorkstrand appeared ready for full-time heading into 2016-17 but a difficult camp and lackluster start to the season in the American league held him down longer than expected. The slick Danish winger has a history of piling up major point totals and is just the kind of cost-effective, youthful talent that can be injected into a team pushing for a run. He finished last season with 13 points in 26 NHL contests and appears prepared for a full-time spot in the team’s top nine forwards. Read more about Bjorkstrand here.

Recently acquired Tyler Motte split his first professional season between the Blackhawks and Rockford of the AHL. The former University of Michigan standout struggled to find his offensive consistency in either league, but displayed his great speed, tenacity and strong two-way play. Upon arriving in Columbus, he will likely have a very good shot at earning a spot either at centre or on the left side. While he may not be a high-end offensive contributor at the NHL-level, he does have the ability to play up the lineup and if he does, look for some improved totals as he finds his legs. Read more about Motte here.

Sonny Milano has always found a way to make an impression. The first round selection from 2014 owns some of the best puck skills of any prospect worldwide, and creates plays and separation that can get you out of your seat. The 21-year-old has been working on his consistency, engagement and play away from the puck and received praise from both his AHL bench boss and John Tortorella for his improvements in those aspects. He’ll be in a fight for a spot at camp, but his added skill would bolster the team’s bottom six if he’s ready. A third AHL campaign is not out of the question either. Read more about Milano here.

Many questioned the Blue Jackets’ selection of Pierre-Luc Dubois third overall during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Not because Dubois doesn’t offer an enticing package, but because Columbus left Jesse Puljujarvi on the board. Dubois didn’t exactly reward his new team with a tremendous draft-plus one campaign but did turn thigs around upon a trade to Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL, recording 37 points in 28 games with the new club. The powerful centre owns the full arsenal of weapons and with a strong camp, could start the season in the Bigs. Columbus isn’t exactly deep down the middle with the departure of Gagner which should help the recently-turned 19-year-old in his bid to break into professional hockey. Read more about Dubois here.

Fantasy Outlook – The Blue Jackets immediately became more interesting with the addition of Panarin. They boasted the league’s top power play for much of last season before cooling down the stretch and slipping all the way to 12^th, but the infusion of a talent like Panarin should help boost that once again. The development of top-line pivot Alexander Wennberg, front line sniper Cam Atkinson, and burgeoning all-star defenders, Zack Werenski and Seth Jones make this team a very strong home for fantasy skater assets. Likely the most underrated multi-Vezina winning goaltender of all-time, Sergei Bobrovsky remains an elite netminder in the fantasy world as well. He dropped some weight last offseason to avoid the injury bug and it seemed to work as he suited up for 63 contests, winning 41 of them – both career-highs while posting a .931 save percentage. Those lofty totals will be hard to replicate but he should be a locked-in top-10 fantasy goaltender in 2017-18.

Fantasy Grade: B (Last year: C-)

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