Blue Jackets season preview: Counting on Dubois to help take next step

The 2020-21 NHL season is scheduled to begin Jan. 13. With training camps opening this week, NHL.com is taking a look at the three keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lines for each of the 31 teams. Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets, who will play in the Central Division.

Coach:John Tortorella (sixth season)
Last season: 33-22-15 (.579 points percentage); ninth place in Eastern Conference, lost to Tampa Bay Lightning in Eastern Conference First Round

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3 KEYS

1. Dubois' continued development
Re-signing Dubois, a restricted free agent, was Columbus' top priority and the two-year contract the 22-year-old agreed to on Thursday was essential for its success this season. Dubois is one of the Blue Jackets' most important players and the first-line center's continued development is pivotal to their hopes to move closer to Stanley Cup contention this season after losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the eventual champions, in the Eastern Conference First Round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
Dubois led Columbus with 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) in 70 regular-season games and 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 10 playoff games last season.
2. Scoring depth from the wing
With Gustav Nyquist out for the start of the season following shoulder surgery Nov. 3, the Blue Jackets will look at internal options on the wing such as rookie Liam Foudy, Emil Bemstrom and Mikhail Grigorengko. Columbus also needs a rebound season from Cam Atkinson, who dropped to 12 goals in 44 games last season after scoring 41 in 80 games in 2018-19, and a big step in the development of Alexandre Texier. The 21-year-old is slated to play on the top line with Dubois and Oliver Bjorkstrand after scoring 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 36 games last season.

3. Improve the power play
Columbus was 27th in the NHL on the power play in the regular season at 16.4 percent, after being 28th in 2018-19 at 15.4 percent. It was worse in the playoffs last season, going 3-for-34 (8.8 percent). Center Max Domi, who was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 6, can help. He was fourth on the Canadiens last season with 11 power-play points, including a Montreal-leading 10 power-play assists.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut
Nick Foligno is expected to get the first shot at taking Nyquist's spot on the second line with Domi and Atkinson, creating an opening on the third line. Foudy, Bemstrom and Grigorengko will compete for that spot and be in the mix for fourth-line roles along with Eric Robinson and Nathan Gerbe. After Columbus traded Ryan Murray (New Jersey Devils) and Markus Nutivaara (Florida Panthers) on Oct. 8, Dean Kukan and Andrew Peeke, who played 22 games as a rookie last season, likely will be the third defense pair; Scott Harrington, Gabriel Carlsson and
Michael Del Zotto
(on a professional tryout agreement) also will be in the running.
Most intriguing addition
The Blue Jackets acquired Domi with the hope he'll team with Dubois to give them a strong 1-2 punch at center. The trade should benefit Domi, who prefers playing center. He set NHL career-highs with 28 goals, 44 assists and 72 points in 82 games while playing center for the Canadiens in 2018-19 before dropping to 17 goals, 27 assists and 44 points in 71 games last season when he occasionally was shifted to wing.

Biggest potential surprise
Few noticed when Grigorenko signed a one-year contract with Columbus on April 20, but the 26-year-old could be a valuable addition in his return to the NHL after three seasons with CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League. Grigorenko scored 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) in 217 NHL games in five NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche before leaving for the KHL in 2017. He scored 116 points (46 goals, 70 assists) in 147 games the past three seasons with CSKA Moscow.
Ready to break through
Foudy's blazing speed and offensive skill make him a threat at wing or center. The 20-year-old looked ready for the NHL last season when he had one assist in two regular-season games as an emergency recall and two points (one goal, one assist) in 10 playoff games with the Blue Jackets. Foudy, the No. 18 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, also scored 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) in 45 games with London of the Ontario Hockey League last season.
Fantasy sleeper
Bjorkstrand (LW/RW; average draft position: 173.7) was having a breakout fantasy performance last season prior to sustaining an ankle injury Feb. 20. He was leading the Blue Jackets in goals (21) and points per game (0.73) at the time of the injury. Bjorkstrand should have favorable lineup placement with either Dubois (10 points in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games) or bounce-back candidate Domi (72 points in 2018-19), who boosts Columbus' fantasy forward outlook compared to previous seasons. -- Pete Jensen
Projected lineup
Alexandre Texier -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Nick Foligno -- Max Domi -- Cam Atkinson
Boone Jenner -- Mikko Koivu -- Liam Foudy
Mikhail Grigorenko -- Riley Nash -- Emil Bemstrom
Zach Werenski -- Seth Jones
Vladislav Gavrikov -- David Savard
Dean Kukan -- Andrew Peeke
Joonas Korpisalo
Elvis Merzlikins