Thanks to everyone who voted for this year’s Top 25 Under 25 ranking. We had 102 submissions from Columbus Blue Jackets fans. We’ll be counting down the 25 highest voted players over the next five weeks. Up next: Jake Bean
#7: Jake Bean
Voting
7th out of 38 eligible players
Writer Rank: 8
Reader Rank: 6
Highest placement: 4 (5 votes)
Most common placement: 7 (19 votes)
Biography
Birthdate: June 9, 1998
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta, CAN
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 186 lbs
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Acquired: Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1 (13th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft; traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in July 2021.
2020-21 Season
Jake, aka “Josh” Bean played 42 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, getting both bumped up from and demoted to the taxi squad due to cap-saving and inconsistent play, respectively. Usually on the third pairing, he logged 12 points and 11 assists, with only 1 goal despite 55 shots, the latter during Game 1 playoffs versus Tampa Bay.
Tie game! Jake Bean for the @Canes! #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: https://t.co/UGSHbZzqto @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/DmbMZkvNsi @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/Dfzag9jPu2— NHL (@NHL) May 30, 2021
In addition to playoff experience, he had some success as a power play specialist. Some Carolina fans felt the coach lacked confidence in him due to softness and lack of physicality, and the writing was on the wall even before the playoffs. As a first-round pick, he wasn’t able to meet those expectations for the organization. Drafted as an offensive D man, he likely wasn’t prolific enough offensively for Carolina to hold him, despite losing their #1 defenseman, Dougie Hamilton. Overall, Canes Country readers gave him a C rating for the season.
2021-22 Forecast
Although exposed by Carolina for the expansion draft, he was ultimately passed over by the Kraken, then traded to Columbus for a second round pick (acquired in the Seth Jones trade). He signed a 3-year, $7 million contract extension with Columbus on July 29. Bean fits right into a team embracing a youth movement and re-tooling, whereas Carolina needed greatness now. This may explain the discrepancy between Jarmo’s enthusiasm and Carolina’s dismissal. Bean’s young, but not fresh from the draft, and many felt he simply ran out of time with Carolina. The traction he wasn’t quite able to gain there hopefully he’ll find in Columbus, as he’ll likely get promoted to a top 4 role this season.
Scouting Reports
Offensive puck mover with power play potential who thrives on the rush. -Kevin LeBlanc, Dobber Prospects
With the contract he received from the Blue Jackets, a raise that doesn’t seem entirely warranted based on his small body of work to date, the Hurricanes may find themselves having dodged a bullet. But he will be given the opportunity to grow into a role as likely a middle pairing defenseman with Columbus. -Sarah A., Canes Country