This season for the Columbus Blue Jackets was and is going to be about young players taking a step in development while starting to win more games and amass more points. Columbus has played well in the early stages of the season and young players are taking the reins and driving play. The Blue Jackets' game pace has been excellent as has the play of young players.
Kent Johnson looks like a completely different player. Johnson has been much stronger on the puck and is using his speed to regularly create separation from defenders. Last season Johnson had a confidence issue and was sent to the Cleveland Monsters to find his game again. This season he had a strong training camp and it has carried over into the season.
Yegor Chinakhov, who had a really good season last year, looks like he is ready to break out. Chinakhov has developed a nice two-way game and with his elite speed is a danger anytime he touches the puck. It should not be a surprise if this is his breakout campaign as the young winger's game has improved every season.
Jake Christiansen has been a solid pairing with Damon Severson. Christiansen moves the puck with ease which is not easy for young defensive players. He is dependable on both ends of the ice and as long as his play does not dip it should be a matter of time before he sees time on special teams, both the penalty kill and power play.
Adam Fantilli, who finished last season on IR, has come back and looks bigger and faster. Fantilli is always around the puck and is even stronger on it this season. It would be a stretch to say a player of his skill set could have a breakout, it's more like he would live up to his billing. Fantilli is still developing but his game is already well rounded.
Kirill Marchenko is another player who could be staring at a breakout season. After finishing last season with 23 goals it marked back-to-back seasons Marchenko has scored at least 20 goals. This season the winger has picked up where he left off, two goals, four assists, and six points in week one of NHL regular season play. Marchenko feels like a player who will score 30 goals sooner rather than later.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are counting on young players to start driving play and that is what is happening in the early going. Now we wait to see if consistency follows.