Ryan Lomberg has the potential to be a solid addition to the Blue Jackets' roster.
Earlier this off-season, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Ryan Lomberg to a two-year, $2.6 million contract.
While this was not one of the NHL's biggest signings of the summer, Lomberg has the potential to be a good addition to the Blue Jackets' roster.
Every playoff team needs to have high-energy players who are not afraid of the physical side of the game. Lomberg certainly fits that description, as he is a heart-and-soul player who makes things more difficult for opponents.
During this past season with the Calgary Flames, Lomberg threw 129 hits. This marked the fifth season in a row that the 5-foot-9 forward recorded over 100 hits. He also threw 90 hits with the Florida Panthers in 2020-21, but that was only in 34 games played.
With this, there is no question that Lomberg is going to give the Blue Jackets some much-needed grit and speed on their fourth line. He will also give the Blue Jackets another scrapper, which is never a bad thing.
Another appealing factor about Lomberg is that he is known for his leadership qualities. Having a veteran like him in the room should benefit the Blue Jackets' young players. This is especially so when noting that he has a Stanley Cup on his resume.
Overall, while Lomberg is not expected to provide the Blue Jackets with a lot of offense, his gritty style of play and experience should make him a solid pickup for the Metropolitan Division club. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact he makes for Columbus from here.
