A surprise to be sure but a welcome one

A good defense can carry a team far. If you aren't next season's Islanders, maybe you'll be next season's Hurricanes. Here's hoping that both Milano and Puljujarvi start realizing their potential.

I doubt Edmonton makes that trade, also Columbus passed on him once already.

Last thing is Merzlinkins will likely beat out Vehvainen for the NHL spot and you lines are all messed up.

Vehvilainen has been excellent in Finland for the last few years, think Juse Saros in Nashville. Finland is a tougher league than Switzerland too. Second, the Jackets didn't pass on Puljujarvi, they correctly identified Dubois as the center and 3rd pick, that's the best return EDM can expect btw. And my lines are perfect for a well balanced deep lineup, with plenty of room to adjust and maneuver.

That is true, but Merzlinkins was also on nA ice for 2 months before the season started, Vinni hasn’t been in NA ice yet. The international ice is wider and the angles points are a little different and it takes some adjustment time. Samsanov is better then both an way awful last year in the AHL to start the season. PLD was correctly identified but Jarmo is also from Finland and passed on the 3rd ranked prospect from that year. I guess the lineup switch would be to flip the 2nd and 3rd lines and put Texier with Jenner and Anderson.

For VV, I think Antti Raanta is comparable, and as you say it takes time to adjust, I suspect he and Elvis (great name) will share backup and AHL duties during the year. Foligno is always tricky to place in the lineup, but he brings a lot to the table. I'm a big believer in Riley Nash and his possession style, and Texier and other fast players could really feed from that, I don't consider it a fourth line by any means, just another good option in the Jackets arsenal.