The Blue Jackets have a problem most NHL teams would love to have: too many centers.
With Ryan Johansen, Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov leading the charge down the middle in Columbus as well as Alex Wennberg and Marko Dano well on their way, Columbus has quite the collection of centers. Factor in that natural center Boone Jenner played on the wing in his rookie year, and that the team would like him playing in the middle down the road long-term, and someone has to go.
@ToddCordell Both Jenner and Wennberg, yes.
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) July 10, 2014Sure Alex Wennberg - who's making quite the impression at development camp - could play the wing if he makes the team this year, and Jenner could do the same for one more season, but that's only a short-term solution.
A move may not be made right away - it could be next summer - but a center will be needed to move out.
Who could be moved, you may ask?
I think that's pretty easy. Contract talks may not be going well right now with Ryan Johansen, but he's here for the long-haul. The team loves Brandon Dubinsky, and have already begun preliminary work on an extension. Boone Jenner is a fan (and organization) favorite, while prized prospects Wennberg and Dano surely won't be moved.
That leaves Artem Anisimov.
The 6'4" 26-year-old two-way center is coming off a solid season where he potted 22 goals and tallied 39 points while playing all 82 regular season games for Columbus. Teams put a premium on youth, size as well as a 200-foot game. With a cap friendly hit of just $3.28 million for the next two seasons, he'd surely attract a lot of suitors should Jarmo Kekalainen ever make him available.
Anisimov figures to play a big role on this year's team and a lot can change in a year, but sooner or later one of these guys is going to have to be moved. Right now, my money is on Anisimov.
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