As we’re playing out the string of another tough season, we’ve spent a lot of time dwelling on the negatives: bad management, bad coaching, injuries, etc. So, to change the vibes a bit, I thought it would be a good time to look at what things have actually gone well this year for the Columbus Blue Jackets. There isn’t much improvement on the team level, but what about individual players?
Cole Sillinger
This is the big one. Silly had a big sophomore slump last season, with just 11 points (3G, 8A) in 64 games before being sent down to the AHL. This season he has also played 64 games, and is at 25 points (11G, 14A) and counting. This despite not scoring a goal until Game 20. Even with the slow start, his performance away from the puck was noticeably improved. He has shown he can impact the game in other ways: defense, penalty kill, setting up teammates, etc.
He has also been less streaky, which is an improvement over his rookie season. He scored 8 points in his first 13 games as an 18 year old rookie, then another 10 in his final 14 games of that season. That means just 13 points in the other 62 games. He is currently in a 6 game pointless streak, tied for the longest of the season, but hopefully he can snap out of it and earn the 2 assists and 7 points he needs to set new career highs.
Yegor Chinakhov
Chinny’s first two seasons: 92 games, 11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points
This season: 53 games, 16 goals, 13 assists, 29 points
Pretty good!
Chinakhov combined the blistering shots of his rookie season with the improved compete level we saw in his sophomore effort, prior to the injury bug hitting. Unfortunately it has struck again this season, with a back injury keeping him out of the preseason and the first month of the season, and now with an upper body injury.
Hopefully he can return and regain the chemistry he has shown with his Russian linemates, or any other top 6 players (like Johnny Gaudreau, perhaps). The lack of available skill has been glaring in recent losses.
Zach Werenski
Just based on the eye test, it felt like Werenski had a slow start to the season as he shook off the rust from last season’s shoulder injury. Suffering a thigh contusion in the opener didn’t help. That being said, his production has been pretty consistent all season. His 38 assists through 57 games has already set a career high. He is just 6 points away from a new career high there as well. He has also done well in the possession game, as one of only two defensemen on the team with even strength shot attempt percentage above 50% (Damon Severson is the other).
The disappointing figure is goals, where we are used to him putting up at least 10 in a full season (he led NHL defensemen with 20 in 2019-20). This year he has only 5. He got his first in just his second game, then didn’t score his second goal until mid-February. Nevertheless, he is driving offense when he is on the ice, leading the team in on-ice expected goals per 60 minutes (2.95), goals for per 60 (3.65) and on-ice shooting percentage (11.11).
Erik Gudbranson
I’ve been really hard on Gudbranson since he was signed, so it’s only fair that I show a bit of love here. Is he still overpaid and overused? Yes. Has he been better this year than last? Absolutely.
Remarkably, at age 32, in this 13th season, Gudbranson has managed to blow away his career highs in assists (15, eclipsing last year’s 12) and points (19, better than 2021-22’s 17). He’s even 2 goals away from tying his career high of 6, also set in that 2021-22 season in Calgary.
His possession numbers at 5v5 are not good, but he is not allowing as much quality against. Among regular players, only Mathieu Olivier and Kent Johnson are on ice for fewer expected goals against per 60 minutes at 5v5. Gudbranson is allowing just 2.58 xGA/60, and 2.59 actual goals against per 60 (8th best out of 22 CBJ regulars, and best among the defense).
Goalies
As much as I complain about the coaches, I can only say good things about the impact of new goaltending coach Niklas Backstrom. Daniil Tarasov and Elvis Merzlikins have still had their ups and downs behind a porous defense, but both have put up better numbers this season.
2022-23 Elvis: 7-18-2, .876 SV%, 4.23 GAA, 82 GA vs. 58.58 xGA at 5v5
2023-24 Elvis: 12-15-8, .900 SV%, 3.33 GAA, 84 GA vs. 84.52 xGA at 5v5
2022-23 Tarasov: 4-11-1, .892 SV%, 3.91 GAA, 46 GA vs. 39.29 xGA at 5v5
2023-24 Tarasov: 7-9-3, .904 SV%, 3.20 GAA, 42 GA vs. 41.82 xGA at 5v5
Imagine what they could do behind a team with a better structure! I’m not sure if either is enough to lead a team on a deep playoff run, but there’s at least evidence that there’s still the ability to improve. One of these guys – or Jet Greaves – could be a viable starter over the next season or two.
Are there any other players who you think have shown progress this season?