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Jenner Forcing Way Onto Jackets Roster + Thoughts On Dubi

September 28, 2013, 12:37 PM ET [6 Comments]
Glen Miller
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
After an impressive training camp it appears Boone Jenner has earned a spot on the Blue Jackets final roster. The young center tallied three goals and assisted on another during preseason action and has played well even when held off the score sheet. It may have only been preseason action but Jenner has held up well against legitimate NHL competition. At this point, Jenner looks like he will be one of the 13 or 14 forwards Columbus carries to open the campaign and it’s a near certainty he’ll be on the ice as opposed to sitting in the press box.

Jenner showed tremendous chemistry with Marian Gaborik on a line centered by Brandon Dubinsky. The trio combined to tally seven points in a win at Pittsburgh earlier this preseason. Columbus head coach Todd Richards prefers not to rank his forward lines instead valuing the versatility offered by having so many interchangeable parts so chances are high Jenner will bounce around the lineup with many different linemates.

For his part, the 2011 second-round pick was more comfortable in his second training camp with the club. This Jenner quote appeared in an article on the Columbus Dispatch written by Shawn Mitchell.

“It’s a little bit different this year, with the preseason games,” said Jenner, who has spent most of camp playing wing rather than his natural position of center. “You can go and battle with your teammates against other teams. That’s a little bit better. When it’s your teammates, it’s your teammates. You have that in the back of your mind. You’re still battling hard, but when you get into a game against an opposing team, you want that puck even more.”


After watching Jenner in action I actually took him late in a deep fantasy league I am in hoping I catch lightining in a bottle. He may not be the most gifted offensive player but he has size and does the little things successful goal scorers must do. He works hard and gets the puck to the front of the net.

His game-winning goal against Pittsburgh exemplified those qualities as he gained possession of the puck in behind the net and worked it out on the LW side. He fired the biscuit toward the front of the net, presumably hoping for a deflection or rebound and struck gold when the puck caught the skate of Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik and skittered into the basket. That’s how a lot of goals are socred in this league and it looks like Jenner realizes that already.

Brandon Dubinsky

I haven’t been able to watch a lot of preseason action yet the one guy aside from Jenner that has stood out to me is Brandon Dubinsky. He’s active in all zones, is playing with an edge and has put up some points in the preseason. Dubinsky is an important player for a Blue Jackets club that even with Marian Gaborik is light on proven goal scorers. The former Ranger has twice reached the 20-goal plateau and tallied 20 points in 29 games in an injury-filled 2013 campaign. That pace would prorate to a 57-point season over a full, 82-game schedule.

Dubinsky is motivated by not receiving an invite to Team USA’s orientation camp as he feels he should be one of the guys seriously considered for the Olympic roster.

“It’s a hard thing to swallow,” Dubinsky said. “I’m one of the guys who should have gotten a look. That’s the way things go sometimes. You have to use those things for motivation.”


Dubinsky is also embracing a leadership role on the Jackets as the club begins a transition from league also-ran to legitimate playoff contender.

“I think I can help this team to that next level. That’s my mission. We have a group of guys who think the same way I do, but I’m a leader on this team and I need to lead. I’m going to lead.”


The Jackets boast a decent crop of centers with size and two-way ability but it’s Dubinsky who has proven it consistently more in the NHL. He has a shot, if he stays healthy and motivated, to get back to the 20 goal, 50+ point level and the Jackets need him to do just that.

Answering Your Questions

I received a couple of PM’s this week asking me about certain Blue Jacket players. Presumably this is due to the beginning of fantasy hockey season. I am happy to answer all of those queries to the best of my abilities so please feel free to send in those questions. I am by no stretch an expert in fantasy hockey as my recent track record has so plainly reinforced, but I can at least update you on the health statuses and current positions on the club of any Jackets player during the campaign.

Thanks for reading.
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