As it stands right now, all signs are pointing towards Cole Sillinger and Yegor Chinakhov having a spot on the Blue Jackets' opening night roster.
One of the most important signs is the inclusion of both in the Blue Jackets' preseason lineup tomorrow night in Buffalo. Typically, a preseason lineup wouldn't mean too much. However, the Blue Jackets have split their remaining players in training camp into two distinct groups: the NHLers (and NHL hopefuls) and the players that will start in the AHL or elsewhere.
Both Sillinger and Chinakhov have been practicing in the NHL group, and they've had spots in line rushes during practice, too. Per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets, Sillinger centered Gustav Nyquist and Oliver Bjorkstrand at practice today. Chinakhov played on the right wing with Jack Roslovic at center and Boone Jenner on the left.
Tomorrow, the roster vs. the Sabres is as close to an NHL lineup as the Blue Jackets have put out this preseason. To see both Sillinger and Chinakhov included is a great sign. Notable forwards not on the roster tomorrow include Kevin Stenlund, Gregory Hofmann, and Alexandre Texier. Texier will have a spot on the team, but Stenlund and Hofmann are not guaranteed a roster spot.
The full roster for tomorrow's game is as follows:
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Forwards (12)
- Sean Kuraly
- Gustav Nyquist
- Liam Foudy
- Oliver Bjorkstrand
- Patrik Laine
- Cole Sillinger
- Boone Jenner
- Eric Robinson
- Emil Bemstrom
- Yegor Chinakhov
- Jakub Voracek
- Jack Roslovic
-
Defensemen
- Andrew Peeke
- Zach Werenski
- Jake Bean
- Adam Boqvist
- Vladislav Gavrikov
- Gabriel Carlsson
-
Goaltenders
- Daniil Tarasov
- Joonas Korpisalo
