Blue Jackets and GM are looking for bright and talented players for their club
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Brain Boosters - Jan. 1, 2014 – Vol. 67, Issue 19
BLUE JACKETS GM JARMO KEKALAINEN IS OBSESSED. NOT WITH A player’s size, statistics or nationality, but with the microprocessor between his ears. “You can change the rest dramatically,” Kekalainen said. “But how you think the game is everything.”
That is his No. 1 criterion entering a draft, which is why he was thrilled to land Alexander Wennberg in his first. Wennberg is one of six forwards in the Blue Jackets’ top eight prospects, reflecting a push to boost the skill up front. There is hope on the horizon with Wennberg, Kerby Rychel, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Marko Dano.
OVERALL 9
1 ALEXANDER WENNBERG, C, 19, Frolunda (Swe.)
6-1, 190, 44-16-4-20-8 2013 draft, 14th overall
Wennberg’s performance at the world juniors – three goals, four assists in seven games – delighted the Blue Jackets, but his first-year performance in Sweden’s top league has been illuminating. Wennberg leads Frolunda with 16 goals. Kekalainen likes to say Wennberg is a threezone player with smarts, a high hockey acumen and a quick “processor.” The thin, rangy Swede needs to add muscle mass and increase his fitness.
OVERALL 44
2 TIM ERIXON, D, 22, Springfield (AHL)
6-2, 200, 34-5-26-31-12 Trade (NYR), July 23, 2012
Erixon has been on the NHL radar for three different teams for what seems like forever. He was leapfrogged in training camp last fall by David Savard, so he remains a depth player for the Blue Jackets and a frequent recall from the AHL. It’s his third year as a fringe NHLer, but don’t think for a moment the Jackets have given up on him. They are convinced he’s an NHL player once his body fills out and he gets better at handling big players in the corners.
OVERALL 46
3 OSCAR DANSK, G, 19, Erie (OHL)
6-3, 201, 23-9-1, 2.37, .913 2012 draft, 31st overall
Dansk has bloomed in his second year of major junior, ranking as one of the top OHL goaltenders and leading Erie to a major turnaround from 2012-13. It took him 30 starts to double his win total from a year ago. After serving as a third-stringer in 2013, Dansk started for Sweden and was named best goaltender at the world juniors. He’s very agile and athletic, but there is work to be done on the technical aspects of his game and his “default” positioning.
OVERALL 52
4 KERBY RYCHEL, LW, 19, Guelph (OHL)
6-1, 205, 48-27-49-76-34 2013 draft, 19th overall
Continues to put up more than 1.5 points per game at the junior level, but his penalty minutes have dropped from last season, perhaps a sign he’s working on his game rather than trying to live up to his last name by fighting. Rychel, the son of former NHL enforcer Warren Rychel, grew up in NHL dressing rooms and it’s a matter of when (not if) he’ll have his own stall. The Blue Jackets think he’ll be a power forward who scores and, on occasion, fights.
5 OLIVER BJORKSTRAND, RW, 18, Portland (WHL)
5-11, 166, 60-43-53-96-30 2013 draft, 89th overall
Bjorkstrand has adapted very well to the North American game playing in his second season in the WHL. He was third in league scoring, surpassing his goals, assists and points from last season by January. The biggest issue with Bjorkstrand will be his ability to bulk up and add muscle. He’s rail thin, to the point he loses most physical battles even at the junior level. Bjorkstrand is two seasons away, but has the smarts, guile and moxie to make it.
ON THE HORIZON THE NEXT 5
6 MARKO DANO
C, 19, Bratislava (KHL)
5-11, 183, 37-2-2-4-34 2013 draft, 27th overall
Goals and points hard to come by so far in his KHL career, but doesn’t shy away from checking battles.
7 JOSH ANDERSON
LW, 19, London (OHL)
6-2, 193, 51-23-22-45-72 2012 draft, 95th overall
Did not look out of place last fall in NHL camp. Multifaceted game, but seen as third-line role player.
8 MICHAEL CHAPUT
C, 21, Springfield (AHL) 6-2, 197, 36-15-14-29-49 Trade (Phi), Feb. 28, 2011
Versatile forward made NHL debut earlier this season and was more physical than expected.
9 DILLON HEATHERINGTON
D, 18, Swift Current (WHL)
6-3, 205, 60-5-26-31-59 2013 draft, 50th overall
A classic stay-at-home type who will likely be 6-foot-4, 225 pounds by the time he’s finished growing.
10 MIKE REILLY
D, 20, Minnesota (Big Ten)
6-0, 174, 30-8-14-22-12 2011 draft, 98th overall
Offensive blueliner is still undersized despite a huge growth spurt, but has excellent mobility.
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