Blue Jackets Searching For Center Help Despite Place In Standings

Despite their place in the standings, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Columbus Blue Jackets are still searching for help at their position of weakness, center. This has held them back for many years, and although they have drafted high picks at that position, they are all still young and need time to grow.

Many thought that the Blue Jackets would be better this season than in recent years, but that has proven to be wrong, even without a number of major injuries. Young players who can play center like Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, and Kent Johnson haven't had enough time to be the players they can become yet.

In the meantime, Boone Jenner has done a great job in his role, but it is obvious that he isn't a first line center. The Patrik Laine experiment at center was bad, and Jack Roslovic is out for over a month. He is also seen as a trade candidate anyways. With all of these problems, either the Blue Jackets can find some help down the middle soon and for the short-term, or they just stick it out until the three young centers develop properly and become forces in the top-six at center.

The Blue Jackets may be searching for some help, but unless they move one of their many defensemen or young wingers, they won't have an easy time fixing what they're lacking.