Can Boqvist survive an overcrowded defensive group?
The Columbus Blue Jackets have a lot of defensemen, many of whom play on the right side. With a crowded defensive corp, there is bound to be some moves that involve some of these young guys. But who is going to be the odd man, or men out?
Adam Boqvist has been in the conversation constantly over the last few weeks to be traded, but why is he the player most commonly picked?
Adam Boqvist was traded to Columbus from Chicago in the Seth Jones trade. The 8th overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft, Boqvist was a highly touted defenseman out of Sweden, and the London Knights of the OHL.
He made his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season, playing in 41 games while garnering 13 points. The following year, during the shortened season, he played in 35 games and his point total rose to 16. Chicago Blackhawk fans really liked Boqvist and were fairly upset after he was traded to Columbus.
Based on the circumstances surrounding the trade, CBJ fans were excited to have the young 20-year-old d-man. His first season in Union Blue saw him play 52 games. He scored 11 goals and had 22 points. Following a promising season by Boqvist, he was signed to a three-year contract extension. On a team that wasn’t so good, he showed he could score and dish the puck while playing on the blue line.
Boqvist moves up the ice very well with the puck and always wants to be involved offensively. He needs to get stronger, which will help his defensive game undoubtedly, but that will come as he ages and comes into his prime, he’s still only 22. He has the talent to be a top six forward who plays defense. He’s a threat to score every time he’s on the ice. And being that he is a threat, he drawls attention from the other teams’ forwards, thus creating space for his teammates to do their work.
His game is that of a highly mobile defenseman who uses his long reach to create turnovers, as he keeps his stick very active. Where Boqvist excels is in the neutral zone, where he creates havoc with his stick work. With the attacking forwards coming at him, he loves using the lack of space and time to step up and create those neutral zone turnovers.
The 2022-23 season saw him injured a lot, only playing in 46 games. However, in those 46 games, he beat his career high in assists and points. He had 19 assists and 24 points. Boqvist has a nasty, sneaky shot.
So why is he being brought up in trade talks? Many analysts and fans point out that the team already has Damon Severson, Erik Gudbranson and Andrew Peeke playing right D. Not to mention other promising young defensemen who play right D such as Jake Bean, David Jiricek, Corson Ceulemans, and Marcus Bjork. Fans of Boqvist point out that based on his speed, shot, and passing ability that he should not only be a full-time member on this team, but should be running the Jackets top power play unit. That sounds crazy saying that when they have Zach Werenski on the team, but Boqvist could very well be just as gifted as Werenski in that regard.
General Managers in sports tend to be loyal to guys that they trade for, and one could see GM Jarmo Kekalainen doing just that with Adam Boqvist. The circumstances of the trade of Seth Jones left yet another scar on the team and fans. When Jones told the CBJ front office he had no desire to sign with Columbus, Kekalainen had to act. He made an unbelievable trade with Chicago. The trade ending up netting the CBJ Cole Sillinger and David Jiricek along with Jake Bean.
There are unconfirmed rumors that an Adam Boqvist trade is in the works, so we won’t know until it happens. Many people think he should stay, while others think he is expendable, only the Jackets know the right answer. It’s going to be a tough call for the front office that’s for sure. Yes, Kekalainen could get some good return for Boqvist, but would he do that? Would he instead trade a Jake Bean or Andrew Peeke, or both, to fit Boqvist in?
If Adam Boqvist can stay healthy, he could score a ton of points for the Jackets. And if he can get physically stronger, his defensive game, which includes his ability to create a lot of turnovers, should get better as well.
GM Kekalainen needs to find a way to keep Adam Boqvist.