5 video games into the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have already misplaced Boone Jenner, Erik Gudbranson, Kent Johnson, and Dmitri Voronkov to accidents. Given the low expectations heading into the marketing campaign, many are already writing the Blue Jackets off. However the crew has a whole lot of younger expertise, and these accidents will give them their alternative to step up.
Associated: Blue Jackets’ Chinakhov Continues His Breakout Early in 2024-25
Right here’s a take a look at three younger Blue Jackets who might want to make the most of their elevated roles on the crew.
David Jiricek
No participant must show himself greater than David Jiricek. Final season was a tough one for the younger defenseman. The 2022 sixth-overall decide performed 43 NHL video games with one aim and 9 assists. He additionally spent a whole lot of time within the American Hockey League, taking part in 29 video games with seven objectives and 19 factors. Whereas many questioned what was greatest for his growth, he was by no means constant sufficient to carry an NHL job.
Jiricek got here into 2024-25 in search of a a lot improved season. Sadly, after spending the majority of coaching camp within the high 4, he was scratched for the primary 4 video games after a poor preseason. Whereas this was not the beginning he wished, he continued to work arduous and made his debut on Saturday, Oct. 19 in opposition to the Minnesota Wild.
He ended his first recreation with an help and a plus-1 score. Whereas it wasn’t a powerful night time for anybody within the 3-1 loss, he didn’t present the struggles that had plagued him within the preseason.
There is a new signal within the #CBJ locker room that claims “THIS IS EARNED … NOT GIVEN.”
David Jiricek pointed to it when discussing his likelihood to make his season debut tonight.
“I believe I labored arduous for the chance proper now. That is earned, not given. That is my story proper…
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) October 19, 2024
With Gudbranson out, Jiricek has the chance to seize a full-time function on the fitting facet. He has all of the bodily instruments wanted to be an asset, however to succeed, he should repair the poor decision-making and dear turnovers. If he can do this and play with extra consistency, he’ll quickly set up himself as a top-four staple on protection.
Cole Sillinger
It’s arduous to imagine, however Cole Sillinger is already in his fourth season with the Blue Jackets. He confirmed nice promise making the crew as an 18-year-old and placing up 31 factors in 2021-22. An unlucky sophomore droop dampened expectations, however he responded effectively with a 32-point season in 2023-24. This season, he must take an enormous step ahead. He has been getting added duty on each the ability play and penalty kill, and he has even been bumped as much as the highest line to play with Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko.
He was strong because the third-line heart final season, however he now has a possibility to play with extra talent round him, and along with his wonderful wrist shot, he may see a pleasant bump in manufacturing. Sillinger has been first rate at carrying the puck, however taking part in with facilitators like Monahan and Marchenko will assist take some strain off him. If he can play at that larger degree, this may very well be the season that he breaks the 20-goal mark, and a 20-25-45 stat line can be a fantastic season for a participant who remains to be solely 21.
Adam Fantilli
If the Blue Jackets have any hope of creating this season aggressive, Adam Fantilli should step into the high-end producing function he was drafted to be. Fantilli was having a really promising rookie season earlier than he went down with a calf laceration that stole the remainder of the season from him. This season, he appears to be choosing up proper the place he left off. He has been buzzing throughout the ice and utilizing his velocity and physique to create possibilities. He has two objectives in 5 video games and has been utilizing his wrist shot that has a sneaky fast launch that usually catches goalies off-guard.
Blowing previous defenders > blowing out candles! 🎂@FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/QJP6wmTkJl
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 13, 2024
Additionally, having Yegor Chinakhov on his wing will create fairly a dynamic duo. They’re each speedsters who can create possibilities off the frenzy. Fantilli has wonderful playmaking talents as effectively, which ought to pair effectively with Chinakhov’s harmful shot.
Fantilli completed the 2023-24 season with 12 objectives and 27 factors in 49 video games, which had him on monitor for a 20-25-45 stat line if he had performed all 82 video games. If he can surpass that price this season and end with roughly 25 objectives and 60 factors, he will probably be pushing to take over first-line heart obligations: an necessary step to turning into the celebrity he’s anticipated to be.
Making a Constructive Out of a Damaging
Whereas it will be simple for the Jackets to get down in regards to the unhealthy luck they’ve had, it’s nonetheless means too early within the season to start out phoning it in. These guys are getting the entire alternative on the earth to make their marks on this crew, and they should make the most of it. It’s a disgrace that these accidents have taken out actually good gamers. But when these younger guys step up, the Blue Jackets can nonetheless have a productive and aggressive season. Now, it’s on the gamers to make the most effective of the alternatives they’ve been given.
