It’s not something NHL coaches like to admit, but most do a lot of scribbling in the offseason. 

Some use notebooks, others prefer cocktail napkins. The technologically savvy use electronic devices. All are motivated by the same thing that drives fans after the smoke clears on the NHL's offseason. The weeks leading up to start of training camp are often used for creating, erasing and re-creating potential lineup configurations for the season ahead.

Forward lines are put together and ripped apart. Defensive duos are meticulously paired. Goaltenders are assigned roles and workloads.

They’re mostly hypothetical, even those constructed by coaches, but it's a cathartic practice that's especially enjoyable with teams such as the Blue Jackets, who made a splash this summer in free agency by signing Johnny Gaudreau and Erik Gudbranson before re-signing Patrik Laine.

Those moves plus a few others stoked excitement about this season in Columbus, and the lineup options they created are intriguing. As training camp opens Thursday, here’s how The Dispatch sees the Blue Jackets lining up for their season-opener Oct. 12 at the Carolina Hurricanes: 

 First line: Johnny Gaudreau - Boone Jenner - Patrik Laine 

Figuring out the right center to play with Gaudreau and Laine and whether Gaudreau and Laine can co-exist on the same line, will be coach Brad Larsen's most pressing issues. Jenner was on his way to 30-plus goals prior to a back injury last season and he’s the Jackets’ best on faceoffs. He’ll likely get the first crack at centering two prolific wingers.

Second line: Gustav Nyquist - Jack Roslovic - Jakub Voracek 

Roslovic turned up his play after Jenner’s injury cleared a path to center the top line. The challenge now is carrying that success into this season. Playing with Voracek, a pass-first winger, might not be the best combination for the like-minded Roslovic, but both can net goals by simply upping their shot frequency. Nyquist gives this combo a needed two-way presence and speed on the outside. 

Third line:  Kent Johnson - Cole Sillinger - Kirill Marchenko 

Is it dangerous to play two rookies with a 19-year old center going into his sophomore campaign? Yes. It’s also possible this trio could make the Blue Jackets one of the league’s deepest teams up front. Johnson, the fifth overall pick in 2021, has shown star offensive skills at every level below the NHL and Marchenko has his own wealth of talent to go with an NHL frame. Sillinger impressed as a two-way center last season as the league’s youngest player and he's intent on proving it wasn’t a fluke.

 Fourth line: Eric Robinson - Sean Kuraly - Justin Danforth 

Robinson’s speed is elite, Danforth has elite quickness and Kuraly is one of the NHL’s most relentless puck-hounding centers. He’s no skating slouch either, which could make this one of the league's most unheralded and effective fourth lines. Kuraly and Danforth have non-stop internal motors, while Robinson occasionally turns heads with impressive afterburners and an improving shot. 

Barring injuries, the Jackets should have plenty of depth up front to provide constant competition. Alexandre Texier’s decision to stay in Europe stings, but Mathieu Olivier, Yegor Chinakhov, Emil Bemstrom, Carson Meyer, Liam Foudy and others will all be knocking on the door.

First pair: Zach Werenski - Nick Blankenburg 

The giant Seth Jones-sized void on the right side of this pairing remains. Andrew Peeke did an admirable job last season, but is better-equipped for a role on the second or third pairing. Blankenburg is small and a rookie, but comparisons to St. Louis Blues veteran Torey Krug aren’t far-fetched. He’s also right-handed and a strong skater and may pair better with Werenski as a two-way talent. 

 Second pair: Vladislav Gavrikov - Adam Boqvist 

Gavrikov and Boqvist spent time as the Jackets’ second pairing last season and could start out that way again. Ideally, the coaching staff would like Boqvist to prove he’s ready for top-pair minutes defensively, but a lack of size and strength may prevent that again. Playing with Gavrikov, a stout two-way presence, would continue to give Boqvist a dependable safety net.

Third pair: Andrew Peeke - Erik Gudbranson 

Adding Gudbranson as a free agent gives the Jackets four right-handed defensemen who could earn regular roles in the top six. That means one will have to play on his “off” side at the left point. Peeke’s willingness to do whatever it took to earn regular minutes last season makes him a logical choice. Gudbranson, a veteran with a pricey salary-cap number, is likely to stay on the right side. As a duo, Peeke and Gudbranson will bring some “bite” to the ice if paired together. 

Jake Bean, an undersized lefty who can move the puck, could earn a top-six spot in the opening lineup. Gavin Bayreuther is another defense-first option with NHL experience. Jake Christiansen, Marcus Bjork and other prospects, led by David Jiricek (2022 sixth overall) and Denton Mateychuk (2022 12th overall), will start camp targeting a roster spot.

This is the first season of a five-year contract for Merzlikins, who must have his best season for the Blue Jackets to stay in the playoff race. Last season, while grieving the tragic death of friend Matiss Kivlenieks, Merzlikins struggled with consistency. He finished strong, absorbing a heavy workload in the final six weeks, but now the challenge is carrying it into this season.

Unlike the past three seasons, there isn’t a question about the pecking order of Blue Jackets goaltenders. Merzlikins is the starter and Korpisalo, who re-signed with Columbus for one year after having hip surgery, is the backup. That doesn’t mean Korpisalo can’t earn more minutes than a typical backup or that his role will be insignificant. Getting Korpisalo back into his peak 2019-20 form would be a huge help.