Thanks to the 74 readers who submitted ballots in this year’s ranking of Columbus Blue Jackets players and prospects under the age of 25. Over the next month, we will profile the Top 25.

#22 Samuel Knazko

Voting

22nd out of 42 eligible players
Writer Rank: 21st
Reader Rank: 21st
Highest Placement: 12th (1 vote)
Most Common Placement: 17th (6 votes)
2023 Rank: 21st (down 1)

Biography

Birthdate: August 7, 2002
Birthplace: Trencin, Slovakia
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd round (78 overall) in 2020

2023-24 Season

This season was a slight disappointment for the young Slovak defenseman. He had a great 2022, with 20 points in 27 games in his one season in the WHL, plus a bronze medal with Slovakia in the Olympics (1 assist in 7 games). In 2022-23 he made his pro debut, with 21 points in 50 games with the Cleveland Monsters. He also made his NHL debut with 2 games with the Blue Jackets.

In 2023-24, he spent the entire season in Cleveland, with no call-ups. He played less than a full schedule, with 44 games played among a crowded blue line. He dropped from 21 points to 12. In the Calder Cup playoffs, he played just two games (both in the finals), in which he earned one assist.

2024-25 Outlook

Knazko has just one year remaining on his entry level contract. With changes in management, he has a chance to make a first impression, but also doesn’t have the investment of a GM that drafted him in the third round. Since he was drafted, the organization has added other left-handed defensemen such as Denton Mateychuk, Stanislav Svozil, Aiden Hreschuk, Guillaume Richard, Andrew Strathmann, Nikolai Makarov, and Luca Marrelli. Knazko may be on his last chance to secure a second pro contract in North America

Highlights

If you see this title and think “is this all of Samuel Knazko’s goals in the 2023/24 AHL season?”…congrats! You’ve just learned a little Slovak.