Is Sean Kuraly the face of the franchise?
It’s hard to believe that Columbus area resident Sean Kuraly is going into his third full season as a Columbus Blue Jacket. Prior to that he spent five seasons in Boston, and the four before that, he was playing college hockey at Miami University in southwest Ohio. He was away from home for about 9 years.
When it was announced in the summer of 2021 that Kuraly had signed a four-year contract in Columbus, the fans were ecstatic. They had traded for another Columbus area player, Jack Roslovic in 2021, so the Columbus boys were coming home. Kuraly has not disappointed since he’s been in Columbus.
In his first season with the CBJ, he played in 77 games, setting a career high with goals scored with 14 and a career high in points at 30. He missed his career mark with assists by one, having 16. Most of his work came on even strength as he was primarily used as a 3rd and 4th liner and on the PK, but he knew his job and did it well. His faceoff % was right around 50% and he set a career high with blocked shots with 51. He would set another career high in takeaways with 35. His PIM, even strength assists, even strength goals, shot %, time on ice, average time on ice, face off wins and hits were all career marks. Yes, he had a career year.
Last season he played in 71 games. And while he missed games due to injury, he still scored 11 goals and had 20 points. As with the rest of the team, his numbers took a slight dip. But had it not been for the games missed, he would’ve again passed his career highs in a few different stats.
Kuraly played on a very talented Bruins team during this time there, so his role in Boston was essentially the same as it is here. He wasn’t expected to be a superstar there, but he did shine in the playoffs. In the 2019 playoffs, the playoff year which Boston knocked out Columbus in the second round, he had 10 points in 20 games, by far his most productive in his years there.
Many fans expected him to come into Columbus and be something he is not. His time here reminds me of the few years Columbus had Riley Nash. Fans expected Nash to come in and be a superstar and that just wasn’t his game. Nash came to the arena every day, did what Coach Tortorella asked him to and did it well. He didn’t light up the scoresheet, but he provided timely plays both offensively and defensively. He would chip in a goal every now and then, and his faceoff % got better every year he was here. His teammates loved him as did the coaching staff. And that’s how I see Sean Kuraly.
With the addition of Adam Fantilli, Sean Kuraly could be leaned on heavily to protect the young center. My guess is that Babcock tries to protect Fantilli by surrounding him in the middle with Boone Jenner and Kuraly, that way if someone does try to take a run at the rookie and rough him up, there will always be someone that comes out the next shift, or soon after that can take care of it. Dmitry Voronkov, who is expected to make his NHL debut at some point during the season, could also be that guy, as well as Mathieu Olivier.
Kuraly has two years left on his contract in Columbus. In my opinion he’s worth every penny they’re paying him and he’s a valuable piece of this roster. He’s now into his 30’s so if he does decide to leave, he probably won’t get more money than he would in Columbus. I hope he see’s what the franchise is building and wants to stay for another year or two, but with the influx of young talent, we just don’t know what the front office is thinking. Might they want to keep him around and help the young centers as they learn how to play the position on the NHL? Teams needs veterans on the team that are professionals and willing to help any way they can, and Kuraly does just that.
Sean Kuraly emersed himself in the Columbus market from day 1 and has embraced being the face of Columbus of the Jackets. From being involved in the Cap City Summer Elite League, playing in a charity softball game, signing autographs at the CBJ draft watch party, speaking at the Memorial Tournament, and being a guest of the Columbus Crew at one of their games, he stayed home and is doing what he can to be an ambassador for this city.
Everything about his time here has been great. Hopefully the Jackets feel the same and keep him around after this current contract expires.