Blue Jackets’ Second Line Must Start Delivering Consistent Scoring

We began our 2026-27 Columbus Blue Jackets season preview by discussing the importance of drowning out all the noise surrounding them. After a summer that saw the very foundation of the team almost blown up, it was now up to them to move past it all and focus on the task at hand.

The Blue Jackets continue to face the same overarching question: Is this team as close as the last two seasons indicate, or are they nothing but a club that can get close to the playoffs and no further as currently constructed?

Regardless of what happened this summer, their top players still have to produce. Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko give the Blue Jackets a chance to have a legitimate first line. The talent is there if they can keep the external factors from becoming the story.

That part only works if the rest of the lineup holds up its end of the bargain.

Finding a Consistent Second Line

Last season, the Blue Jackets’ second line became more of a blender than a solid unit. Sean Monahan’s health and the drop-offs from Kent Johnson and Dmitri Voronkov became the story, which left the team too top-heavy.

That top-heaviness was recognized by opponents. Scoring goals was a big problem for the Blue Jackets down the stretch in the games that mattered most. That ultimately resulted in another failed season.

It was clear Monahan wasn’t 100 percent. He spent most of the season managing the ailment. At points, it looked like he was starting to come out of it. He simply wasn’t the same player who was one of their best offensive pieces in 2024-25.

Johnson and Voronkov each found themselves in the press box at different points. Their drop-off in production jumped off the page.

Johnson found himself all over the lineup when he did play, including time on the fourth line. His production dipped 35 points in one season. Meanwhile, Voronkov’s numbers dropped across the board despite playing well early on. He played three fewer minutes per night and struggled to get consistent ice time under head coach Rick Bowness.

If the Blue Jackets hope to finally find a dependable second line, Monahan, Johnson and Voronkov will all need to bounce back — and the newcomers will need to deliver as well.

Potential Options

The Blue Jackets do have different options that can be mixed and matched depending on situation and production. The belief is that Monahan will center that second line to start.

As for the wingers, Valeri Nichushkin and Conor Garland could join him. That would give Columbus a veteran presence with a two-way impact.

Nichushkin brings size, speed and physicality. He’s the kind of player who can fit in a variety of spots under a structure-minded coach like Bowness. He can also play the complementary role well, as he did next to the stars in Colorado. His experience could help a younger team learn what it takes to finally get over the playoff hump.

Garland didn’t have a great end to his season, but you could tell what he brings. He brings speed and feistiness. He’s a puck hunter who, despite his small frame, is willing to win battles. When he’s on, he can score in bunches. Like Nichushkin, he can play in a variety of roles. Chemistry with linemates will be the thing to watch.

If it isn’t Nichushkin and Garland, Bowness could elect to play Johnson or Voronkov on that line. Johnson’s skill and Voronkov’s size would each add a different element. Columbus could also look at Cole Sillinger or Mathieu Olivier on the wings. They may even look at Charlie Coyle as a potential center, although he and Monahan could be interchangeable.

What Success Looks Like

Had the Blue Jackets gotten consistent production from their second line, it’s fair to believe they would have been a playoff team in 2025-26. Despite their shortcomings, they still were almost good enough to get there.

Success for the second line isn’t going to be three players putting up massive offensive numbers. It will be defined by their ability to drive play when they’re on the ice so the top line doesn’t skate around with a target on its back.

The offense doesn’t have to be massive. It does have to be much better. Whether Bowness starts Nichushkin and Garland with Monahan or slides Johnson or Voronkov up, the standard is the same.

Johnson reaching 50 points again, Voronkov reaching 20 goals and perhaps challenging 30, and Monahan resuming his typical two-way play would go a long way if this is the line. Otherwise, it will take dependable two-way play from Nichushkin and Garland to make it work.

Ultimately, the second line will be judged by usage and production. They should see matchups against opposing second lines. If they can keep their goal share in a reasonable place — say 52 percent — without being buried, that would give the Blue Jackets a chance at real success.

One of Bowness’ key jobs will be finding a consistent second line that isn’t just matchup-dependent. Too often last season, minutes for key players were limited. That meant more minutes for the top players. Being able to play that second line 16 minutes instead of 12-13 would be a huge difference. If they have to constantly mix and match, it could make for another long season.

Success for the Blue Jackets comes down to this: they have to be able to roll four lines. If they have to play too many games with three lines or lean too heavily on their top players, that’s a recipe for disaster.

No matter who earns the right to play in the top six, they must produce at a much higher rate than in 2025-26. Their performance is the ultimate X-factor for the Blue Jackets in 2026-27.