Back in March, the Blue Jackets signed Hunter McKown to an entry level contract after he finished his season at Colorado College. Due to the plethora of injuries, McKown was immediately thrown into the fray and played a total 12 games at the end of the season. He managed a few assists and didn’t look totally out of place.
It’s hard to predict what Hunter’s ceiling is. He is unlikely to play in the NHL next season barring more injury problems, but his ability to play the center position could eventually be his ticket to the NHL, even if it’s just in a fourth line role. The good news is that at 20 years old there’s still plenty of time to figure it out.
2022-23 Stats
Games: 12
Goals: 0
Assists: 2
Points: 2
Plus/Minus: -4
PIM: 8
5v5 Corsi For %: 43.89
5v5 Fenwick For %: 40.00
OZ Start: 54.05
Contract Status
McKown has two years left on his entry level contract. He will be an RFA when it expires.
High Point
He recorded his first NHL point in his first NHL game.
Low Point
It took him 10 more games to record his second point and he ended the season with no goals.
Report Card
B-
He did what he was asked to do – fill a roster spot. If not for the injuries, he would not have played any games with the Blue Jackets this season and may not have signed with them at all. I don’t think anyone expected him to jump off the page as a 20 year old free agent signee and for that reason it’s hard to give him a bad grade.