For the last 21 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 22^nd annual review will appear here on Dobber Hockey throughout the month of August. 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? Can new stars emerge? These questions are what are taken into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Enjoy!

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Departed: Nick Blankenberg, Jake Bean, Brendan Gaunce, Alex Nylander, Carson Meyer, Patrik Laine, Johnny Gaudreau (RIP)

Incoming: Sean Monahan, Dylan Gambrell, Jack Johnson, Zach Sawchenko, Jordan Harris

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story was published prior to the trade of Laine and death of Gaudreau.

Impact of changes: Laine requested a trade and was granted one, being sent to Montreal with a second-round pick for Harris. The price to move Laine and the return reflect his undesirable cap hit ($8.7 million) and the unknown quantity he will be going forward. In four seasons in Columbus, he was a clear disappointment when compared to his previous Winnipeg resume. 

Until their youth movement truly arrives, Monahan is the only true first-line center in the organization. But expectations need to be tempered some with Monahan's injury history. He played the full season last year, but only 25 contests with Montreal in 2022-23.  A surgeon's dream, he has had two ruptured back discs, both hips operated upon, two groin surgeries, a wrist fracture and a broken foot. 

The only significant withdrawal from last year's lineup was Jake Bean, a 26-year-old defenseman who played 72 games, had 14 points and was a minus-10. He did not receive a qualifying offer and was signed by Calgary.

Ready for prime time: The young defensemen who'll get the biggest boost are David Jiricek, the 20-year-old Czech who was drafted sixth overall in 2022, just before Denton Mateychuk, also 20 (12th overall in 2022). Jiricek is thought to be the more NHL-ready, having seen 43 games last year, and should be a top-four fixture for the next decade.  Mateychuk has had 204 points for his WHL team over the past three seasons in just 180 games, and has been a combined (+70), which Columbus desperately needs. Expect Mateychuk to break camp on the NHL team, and stay up for half (?) of the season. His fantasy value may take some time, though, as he starts out protected on the third pair. 

Fantasy outlook: Is it too much to expect that Columbus can bypass four other teams in the Metropolitan Division and be playoff-relevant this year?  Simply, yes. But there are strong fantasy selections in Zach Werenski, who might exceed his 2023-24 career- high 57 points in 70 games, over 200 shots on net, and the clear PP-1 quarterback. Kirill Marchenko is expected to start the season on the top line with Monahan, and his hot season finish suggests he'll stay there…. unless Kent Johnson's talent arrives a season sooner than honest expectation. Johnson had just 16 points in 42 early-season games, until taken out for shoulder surgery in February.  His prime may not arrive until 2025-26. 

No, there was no disrespect aimed at Boone Jenner in that Monahan paragraph. The Jackets' captain is still just age 31, and will be a formidable presence on the third line, much like Jordan Staal has played for Carolina. Jenner has never put up points like a true C-1 (career high 49 in 2015-16), but Columbus hasn't had a Monahan, let alone the future stars of Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger.  Another season of 40-45 points, over 100 hits, and contributions on the penalty kill should serve his team well.

In goal, especially in keeper or dynasty leagues, watch Daniil Tarasov.  His 3.18 GAA and .908 SV% last season were far above the numbers for Elvis Merzlikins, and Tarasov could be a sleeper to invest in for the future.

Overall grade: C.   Last season, C+