Thanks to the 79 readers who submitted ballots in this year’s ranking of Columbus Blue Jackets players under the age of 25. We continue counting down the Top 10 of our rankings today.
#8 Adam Boqvist
Voting
8th out of 45 eligible players
Writer Rank: 8th
Reader Rank: 6th
Highest Placement: 1st (1 vote)
Most Common Placement: 6th (12 votes)
2022 Rank: 4th
Biography
Birthdate: August 15, 2000
Birthplace: Falun, SWE
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: D
Shoots: Right
Acquired: via trade from the Chicago Blackhawks in July 2021 with two first round draft picks and a second round pick for Seth Jones and a first round pick
2022-23 Season
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before – Adam Boqvist had a season cut short by injury.
Boqvist broke his foot on October 25 of last season, one of a rash of injuries on the blue line that helped doom an already doomed season. Last season was the first year of a three year, $2.6 million AAV contract extension and Boqvist, even when healthy, failed to live up to it. Boqvist, hailed as an offensive defenseman for much of his career, put up just 24 points in 46 games (5-19-24), was on ice for a 47.6 CF% despite a 65.4 oZS%. Boqvist’s season was a struggle much of the time he was on the ice, which unfortunately was barely half of the season.
2023-24 Outlook
Boqvist, it’s becoming fair to say, is at a crossroads of his young career with the Blue Jackets. On the one hand, he just turned 23 years old and only has played 174 career NHL games. On the other hand, Boqvist has missed parts of the last three seasons with injury, including a broken foot, broken wrist, multiple concussion, and a shoulder injury dating back to his time in Chicago.
For the first time in his Blue Jackets tenure, however, Boqvist might have competition for his roster spot. Werenski, Severson, and Provorov (if all are healthy) are roster locks. Erik Gudbranson’s contract makes him a lock. Therefore, with two spots open, the following players are competing for playing time: Nick Blankenburg, Boqvist, Jake Bean, David Jiricek, Andrew Peeke, and Tim Berni. Jiricek is viewed as a top 4 defenseman of the future and one of the better blue line prospects in the NHL. Blankenburg is hard-nosed and willing to play the grinding third pair minutes that do not suit Boqvist’s game. Peeke is on a long deal and has experience, even as he has underwhelmed.
Opportunities run thin for Boqvist quickly on this roster, particularly if he is unable to stay healthy due to injuries. For him to lock down a long-term roster spot, he needs to stay healthy this season and show his quality on both ends of the ice.
Highlights