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NHL Line Combinations for 2016-17 (Metropolitan Division)

By Ryan Ritchie

Sep 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Travis Konecny (80) during a preseason game against the New York Islanders at PPL Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Travis Konecny (80) during a preseason game against the New York Islanders at PPL Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets players celebrate following an overtime win during a preseason hockey game against Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Blue Jackets won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets players celebrate following an overtime win during a preseason hockey game against Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Blue Jackets won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Columbus Blue Jackets

Brandon Saad – Boone Jenner – Cam Atkinson
Nick Foligno – Brandon Dubinsky – Oliver Bjorkstrand
Scott Hartnell – Alex Wennberg – Sam Gagner
Matt Calvert – William Karlsson – Josh Anderson
xs: Gregory Campbell, Markus Hannikainen

Ryan Murray – Seth Jones
Jack Johnson – David Savard
Zach Werenski – Dalton Prout
xs: Cody Goloubef

Sergei Bobrovsky – Anton Forsberg

Not too many surprises here, except perhaps the omission of Pierre-Luc Dubois. Sorry folks, he’s likely headed back to junior – a nine-game tryout to start the year at most. Dubois may very well develop into a quality NHLer someday, but unfortunately, he’ll always be compared to Oilers winger Jesse Puljujarvi.

All NHL
All NHL /

All NHL

Obviously, this is nothing more than pure speculation, but it feels like the lofty expectations are setting Dubois up to fail. Jarmo is proclaiming him the next big center (to basically replace Ryan Johansen) and chose to pass on a fellow Finnish prospect that was proclaimed NHL ready and also dominated the international stage in 2015-16.

Watch for Oliver Bjorkstrand to flourish a top-six setting this season. There’s a chance he even throws his name in the hat for Calder Trophy consideration.

The only head scratcher (for some) would be opting to select Anton Forsberg over Curtis McElhinney. In today’s NHL, you can no longer get away with a mediocre backup goaltender and expect to win games. Forsberg has outplayed

Forsberg has outplayed Joonas Korpisalo, even though the Finn stole the show in Columbus in 2015-16. Anton was also the man between the pipes for their AHL Championship run last spring. When it comes to a close decision like this, mid as well turn to seniority. It wouldn’t hurt Korpisalo to serve as the starter for Cleveland for a year with Curtis McElhinney backing him up.

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