For the last 20 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 21st 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 both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what I take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Enjoy!

* * Pick up the DobberHockey Fantasy Guide here – always updated * *

Gone – Jakub Voracek

Incoming – Alexandre Texier (returning), Damon Severson, Ivan Provorov

Impact of changes – The big changes occurred during the trade deadline, when Gustav Nyquist, Vladislav Gavrikov and Joonas Korpisalo were shipped out. Otherwise, Columbus has not lost anyone of note except for Voracek who played what were likely his last games in the NHL.

Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov now join a seemingly crowded blue line. Severson comes with some offensive pedigree after finishing last season with 14 points in the final 23 games and posting 47 points in 80 games the season prior. Provorov can provide decent peripheral contributions but will be behind Werenski, Severson and likely even David Jiricek on the depth charts. The defensive reinforcements combined with Werenski and Bean returning to full health should mean the Elvis Merzlikins will have better support around the net.

Texier rejoins the squad after a stint in Switzerland for personal reasons and has shown signs of offensive upside with 20 points in 36 games during the 2021-2022 season.

Ready for Full Time – In any another year or in an alternate universe without Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli would have been the consensus first overall pick. However, as luck would have it, he slid to third where Columbus selected the future star centre. He comes with less pedigree than Bedard but should still threaten for around 60 points in a full 82 games played. Although, that may largely depend on Mike Babcock and how soon he is able to grab hold of the first-line centre role alongside Johnny Gaudreau.

Other than Fantilli joining full time, Alex Texier left at the end of last season to play in Switzerland for personal reasons. He is making his return to Columbus and should have a strong case to make the roster out of camp, especially if he shifts from wing to centre. The other forwards who may see time are Trey Fix-Wolansky and Dmitri Voronkov. Fix-Wolansky is an undersized winger with issues staying healthy. He played nine games with Columbus last season and could become a restricted free agent this summer. Voronkov had a breakout season in the KHL, posting 31 points in 54 games with solid peripherals and may get looks this year.

On defense there are David Jiricek and Jake Christiansen knocking at the door. Jiricek was drafted sixth overall in 2022 and went on to be named the Best Defenseman at the WJC. He has top-pairing upside and should start with the team in the fall. Christiansen was forced into seeing some time in the NHL last season due to the injuries. He has been a solid contributor in the AHL with a 0.63 career points-per-game. He could see more time again this season but he is waiver exempt, meaning Columbus may not want bring him up for fear of being forced to expose him.

With Joonas Korpisalo being moved at the trade deadline last season, Daniil Tarasov should have the role of backup goaltender locked down. If starter Elvis Merzlikins struggles and Tarasov remains healthy, he could push for more starts.

Fantasy Outlook – One of the big questions last season was who would win the plum assignment of playing alongside newly acquired star Johnny Gaudreau. While Boone Jenner was his most frequent linemate, Columbus appears uncertain Jenner is the right fit. Enter Adam Fantilli. Should he hit the ground running and find chemistry with Gaudreau, both players could stand to benefit. Regardless, Gaudreau managed to quietly put up 76 points in 80 games on a Columbus roster that was battling injuries up and down the lineup. A healthy roster should allow him to meet or exceed that total but we may never see a pace close to what he did in the 2021-2022 Calgary season so long as he is in Columbus.

Another quiet pace was Patrik Laine, who for two seasons in a row now has had at or near point-per-game rates while landing at least three shots on goal. Exemplifying the Columbus roster, durability will be his issue moving forward as he finished last season on the injured list. Jenner provides solid peripheral value and if he continues to hold down a spot beside Gaudreau as well as on the power-play, he will be worth rostering.

Zach Werenski played 13 games before being shut down for the season, but was practicing in March. There was high anticipation for him last season as the de facto power-play quarterback and while Severson has been brought into the fold, the role should still go to Werenski. Don't sleep on him as he falls into the small group of defenseman who will see two-thirds of the available power-play time with three shots per game.

In goal, Elvis Merzlikins had an awful season which no doubt was in part due to the blue line being decimated with injuries. With new acquisitions and a healthy roster, he should improve. However, early struggles could lead to Tarasov increasing his share of the workload throughout the season.

Fantasy Grade: C+ (last year C+)

Check out the rest of the Dobber team previews here.