Zak MacMillan: September Main Roster Lineup Predictions

Still no word on if the Jackets are getting an exemption or they have to sign someone to be cap compliant. As it stands, icing that team is technically illegal.

Still no word on if the Jackets are getting an exemption or they have to sign someone to be cap compliant. As it stands, icing that team is technically illegal.
- Alexzanki

Correct no word. Just going with what I know

I’ll be rooting for you guys all year… 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻😃😃😃😃😃

Still no word on if the Jackets are getting an exemption or they have to sign someone to be cap compliant. As it stands, icing that team is technically illegal.


Don't worry about that. It's time to move on, play with what you got and let the "cap"chips fall where they may.

I realize what happened with Johnny & Matt Gaudreau was a senseless, tragic event. The finality of it is tough to reconcile with. And the BlueJackets will carry it for a long time. However they should take their cue from Meredith at the funeral and stand solid. For her to give that memorial was tremendous. Look at what they had with him for two years, celebrate it.

If they want to honor Johnny - think about his love and passion for the game every time they go over the boards. Don't be idly skating/coasting, play with purpose, direction, and discipline. You can be sure the opponents will not go easy because Johnny is not here.

OK - now I'm moving on.
Zak - swap Jenner and Danforth for Chinakhov and Marchenko. As always, I maintain Jenner can best help the team on the 3rd line - not the 1st line.

Also, unless Brindley really kicks ass during training camp I'd send him to Cleveland and give him some 1st line minutes. If he puts up numbers like Marchenko did a couple of years ago, THEN bring him up.
IMO I feel he'll initally struggle in Cleveland. It may take a season to find his legs there . . . or maybe not !!

Matychuk is the same situation. To Cleveland - get hard minutes against the "big boys" and see what he does. The small sample in the playoffs last season looked positive. Let's see if he can continue that play.

Other than that, I'm good with the lines and pairings...

OK - now I'm moving on.
Zak - swap Jenner and Danforth for Chinakhov and Marchenko. As always, I maintain Jenner can best help the team on the 3rd line - not the 1st line.

Also, unless Brindley really kicks ass during training camp I'd send him to Cleveland and give him some 1st line minutes. If he puts up numbers like Marchenko did a couple of years ago, THEN bring him up.
IMO I feel he'll initally struggle in Cleveland. It may take a season to find his legs there . . . or maybe not !!

Matychuk is the same situation. To Cleveland - get hard minutes against the "big boys" and see what he does. The small sample in the playoffs last season looked positive. Let's see if he can continue that play.

Other than that, I'm good with the lines and pairings...
- birdie03

Ultimately lines 1-3 are all interchangeable on this squad.

Rentals are Provorov, Danforth, Olivier, J Johnson, Gambrell, O. Sillinger, Sawchenko,

Christainsen is a G-6

Mateychuk and Brindley are next man up

OK - now I'm moving on.
Zak - swap Jenner and Danforth for Chinakhov and Marchenko. As always, I maintain Jenner can best help the team on the 3rd line - not the 1st line.

Also, unless Brindley really kicks ass during training camp I'd send him to Cleveland and give him some 1st line minutes. If he puts up numbers like Marchenko did a couple of years ago, THEN bring him up.
IMO I feel he'll initally struggle in Cleveland. It may take a season to find his legs there . . . or maybe not !!

Matychuk is the same situation. To Cleveland - get hard minutes against the "big boys" and see what he does. The small sample in the playoffs last season looked positive. Let's see if he can continue that play.

Other than that, I'm good with the lines and pairings...
- birdie03

Also if I’m swapping I’d be curious if Fantilli Monahan K Johnson

Still no word on if the Jackets are getting an exemption or they have to sign someone to be cap compliant. As it stands, icing that team is technically illegal.


Don't worry about that. It's time to move on, play with what you got and let the "cap"chips fall where they may.

I realize what happened with Johnny & Matt Gaudreau was a senseless, tragic event. The finality of it is tough to reconcile with. And the BlueJackets will carry it for a long time. However they should take their cue from Meredith at the funeral and stand solid. For her to give that memorial was tremendous. Look at what they had with him for two years, celebrate it.

If they want to honor Johnny - think about his love and passion for the game every time they go over the boards. Don't be idly skating/coasting, play with purpose, direction, and discipline. You can be sure the opponents will not go easy because Johnny is not here.
- birdie03

There is no doubt there is a jersey retirement (perhaps at the stadium game) and further celebrations of Johnny's life.

My issue is simply what happens going forward in this situation ? Do the Jackets need to add someone else? Or does the NHL step in and exempt the Jackets from salary cap obligations since Gaudreau is technically '' not on the books'' . Jackets are something like 2 million bellow the cap floor as it stands.