Expendable Forwards

During his end of the season interview, Kekalainen noted the Jackets would like to add some experience to the dressing room. Coupling this notion with the fact that the Jackets are overloaded with middle to bottom 6 forwards, this would seem to ensure that the Jackets are likely to move on from a couple players in order to revamp the makeup of the roster. Let’s take a look at some of the candidates who the Jackets may consider moving on from.

Jack Roslovic

This one is probably the most obvious when looking at the roster. Roslovic has one more season left on what likely was a 2 year prove-it deal and while he has had many opportunities to cement a spot on the lineup, he has failed to prove himself. The game to game and even shift to shift effort and consistency was constantly lacking and he couldn’t even hold down a top 6 center role despite all the injuries the Jackets had to deal with. He’s also not young anymore and going into a contract year he looks to barely have a hold on a roster spot. A change of scenery is likely what he needs, and the Jackets need to cut their losses here even if it means they may be trading low on him. It is time to move on and allow better options the opportunities that he’s been afforded the last couple seasons.

Emil Bemstrom

Like Roslovic, Bemstrom is entering the final year of a prove it deal with the Jackets. The difference is that although he didn’t pop off the stat sheet, the advanced stats say he was pretty decent. The issue is that while not old, he’s already in his 4th season and he hasn’t been able to lock down a permanent spot or role with the Jackets despite all the injuries, again not unlike Roslovic. One could even go so far as to say that the stats reflect him getting more ice time and opportunities only because of a severely underperforming team dealing with a multitude of injuries. The solidifying factor here is that the team was comfortable putting Bemstrom on waivers to have him go down to Cleveland to start the season. So, although it’s not unreasonable to say Bemstrom could be a viable bottom 6 winger, reality is that the Jackets have other and likely better, more consistent guys to fill that role instead of him.

Eric Robinson

The idea of trading Robinson may seem a bit odd to some given the role he fills on the Jackets, but it should be explored. In all truth, it’s likely he has already hit his ceiling as a player in the NHL which, while what he brings to the Jackets is valuable to any team, is not very high. The kicker here is that the Jackets have a guy in Foudy whom you could argue gives the Jackets what Robinson brings, speed, forechecking and the ability to play on the PK, all while being on a cheaper deal and with a higher offensive ceiling. Foudy’s emergence in the second half of the season should render Robinson a redundant piece on the roster and as such the Jackets should consider moving on from him sooner rather than later.

Mathieu Olivier

On the surface, one might wonder why the Jackets would want to move on from Olivier. The Jackets just gave up a pick last summer to acquire him and the role he filled this past season was one that was sorely needed. On top of that, he is still under team control and would likely sign a relatively team friendly contract. On the other hand, he plays at a position that is easy to replace and you also cant ignore that despite the team openly saying they like what he brought, he hasn’t resigned yet. I imagine the Jackets are keeping their options open and it isn’t hard to see a scenario where they ultimately decide that it might be best for the team to move on.

Lane Pederson

A mid-season waiver claim on an expiring deal, the Jackets took a flier on Pederson to plug a hole at center with all the injuries going on. It is hard to see a path to where the Jackets resign him as even in Cleveland there may not be a spot for him with Sillinger and Voronkov looking somewhat likely to start the season with the Monsters as well as there being other options such as McKown and Gaunce. One can expect the Jackets to likely move on here barring anything unexpected.