News Blue Jackets Team Notes

2024-25 Player Review: Zach Werenski had a Norris-caliber season

One can speculate that Zach Werenski will be exactly Nathan MacKinnon away from winning the Norris Trophy. Cale Makar will likely end up with the honors, the result of being on a team with a superstar and a better power play. No disrespect to Makar, but what Werenski did on a worse team in even worse circumstances not only puts him in the argument for best defenseman, but also most valuable player.

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-zach-werenski-had-a-norris-caliber-season/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Ivan Provorov was a steady presence

In his second year with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ivan Provorov continued to play a major role on the blue line. He skated in all 82 games again (fun fact: in 9 NHL seasons, Provorov has missed just 3 games. He has played the maximum number of games 8 times) and he trailed only Zach Werenski in minutes per game by defensemen. In addition to a second pair role at even strength…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-ivan-provorov-was-a-steady-presence/
 
Guest Post: Family, Loss, and Hockey

Editor’s Note: former Cannon writer and longtime commenter Dan Flashes reached out to ask if he could share a piece he wrote about his family and the 2024-25 season. This is something different than we usually do here but I think you’ll appreciate it. In case you haven’t noticed (“And judging by the attendance, you haven’t,” —Harry Doyle), I haven’t been commenting here for a bit.

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/guest-post-family-loss-and-hockey/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Dmitri Voronkov is Big Boss

Voronkov was a revelation when he came over from Russia two years ago. Sold to us as a physically imposing bottom 6 guy with some skill he has rapidly become a top line caliber player. “Voro” has surprisingly soft hands and is a tremendous net front player. He’s great at getting pucks off the wall and to his teammates in scoring chances and is a menace on the forecheck…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-dmitri-voronkov-is-big-boss/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Luke Kunin, not the ideal acquisition

Just before the trade deadline the Blue Jackets sent a fourth round pick to San Jose to acquire Luke Kunin on an expiring deal. Kunin had previously played under Evason when he was an assistant coach at Minnesota and was prized by Waddell at the time for his versatility when the main squad was rather banged up. Here’s Waddell’s quote on the acquisition: “Luke is a versatile forward who can…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-luke-kunin-not-the-ideal-acquisition/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Dante Fabbro went from the waiver wire to the first pair

In early November, the Columbus Blue Jackets embarked on their first West Coast road trip of the season, and dropped all three games in California (two in regulation). While out there, they placed a waiver claim on Nashville Predators defenseman Dante Fabbro. He joined the team in Seattle and made his debut there, and suddenly became the partner for Zach Werenski as Z put together the best season…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-...-went-from-the-waiver-wire-to-the-first-pair/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Justin Danforth provided critical depth

Can I be honest about some biases? First of all, Justin Danforth is a Short King. He’s listed at 5’8″, which we all know means he’s around 5’6″, which is my actual height. I’m always happy to see small players succeed at this level, which is why Cam Atkinson remains one of my all-time favorites. In addition, Danforth is just a great story. He only made it to minor juniors in Canada…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-justin-danforth-provided-critical-depth/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Adam Fantilli is the Future

There is no doubt that Adam Fantilli is a star in the making and the future ceiling of this club will be decided by him. Fantilli has incredible speed and puck skills, and a quality shot that he frequently displayed on his way to notching 30 goals at 20 years old. Adamo came into the organization with acclaim for his work ethic and leadership and we have heard nothing other than more of that…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-adam-fantilli-is-the-future/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Jordan Harris was underwhelming

I was surprised to see that Harris played 33 games this season. It seems like he played less than that. He was mainly unnoticeable when in the lineup. However, when he was noticed, it was often for the wrong reasons. The majority of the pair combinations with Harris were a disaster. At 5v5, when playing with Jack Johnson, Werenski, Severson, or Provorov, his CF% was below 40.

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-jordan-harris-was-underwhelming/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Sean Monahan exceeded all expectations

Much has been made of what Monahan had to endure this season with the loss of his friend. I won’t spend too much time on that, except to say this: What Monahan was able to do this season was a tremendous honor to the legacy of Johnny Gaudreau. Sean should be incredibly proud of the way he was able to play in memory of John. Werenski and Monahan were the two players who impacted this team the…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-sean-monahan-exceeded-all-expectations/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Mathieu Olivier is Terrifying

It’s always fun to have a story like Mathieu Olivier. First Mississippi born NHL player, undrafted guy who worked his way onto an NHL team and earned the big multi-year contract. It’s clear from every interaction with the media that the well-spoken Olivier has become a central figure in the locker room and is highly valued by this organiziation. Following the summer tragedy he stepped into a…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-mathieu-olivier-is-terrifying/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Captain Boone Jenner showed up late but made an impact

The captaincy of Boone Jenner has yet seen the Columbus Blue Jackets reach the playoffs, but he has been productive himself as a top-line center, averaging over a 30 goal pace since 2021. The flip side of that is that each season was cut short by injuries or personal issues (i.e. the tragic loss of his firstborn last spring). This season was the reverse, with the year starting with an…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-...one-jenner-showed-up-late-but-made-an-impact/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Daniil Tarasov can’t find his groove

It’s clear as day that the goaltending situation in Columbus has not been ideal. Elvis played decent hockey at times during the season but fell off significantly down the stretch, while Tarasov struggled for the vast majority of the season. Tarasov, in particular, was near the bottom of the league in many statistical categories. He ranked 70th out of 81 goalies (minimum of 5 games played) in save…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-daniil-tarasov-cant-find-his-groove/
 
2024-25 Player Review: A tough year for Erik Gudbranson

The Gudbranson signing has always been contentious, but if you’ve seen the behind the scenes video of the Johnny signing it’s apparent he helped bring Gaudreau to Columbus. Erik spent a year in Calgary with Johnny and they clearly connected right away. His tribute at the beginning of the season was one of the ones that stuck with me through it all and I’ve shared it here again, he’s the first of…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-a-tough-year-for-erik-gudbranson/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Yegor Chinakhov’s no good, very bad year (except it wasn’t)

It’s late March, and the Blue Jackets are falling out of the playoff picture. After the high of the Stadium Series win, the Jackets lost eight of the past nine games, including a stretch with just one goal in four games. Something needs to change. The coaching staff decides that that something is Yegor Chinakhov. After missing 39 games due to injury and barely missing that Stadium Series game…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-...akhovs-no-good-very-bad-year-except-it-wasnt/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Kevin couldn’t take it to Labanc

After the trade of Patrik Laine and the tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets saw themselves with a shortage of veteran forwards going into the 2024-25 season. General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Don Waddell scoured the league for players that fit the bill and could fill some gaps in the roster. In September, he signed James van Riemsdyk to a one year…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-kevin-couldnt-take-it-to-labanc/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Luca Del Bel Belluz is on schedule

The Del Bel Belluz version of the many Lucas that exist inside the Blue Jackets organization continues to show steady progression. He got called up to Columbus on January 9th after being among the AHL league leaders in both goals and points. He immediately made an impact. He bounced around a bit in the lineup, but by far the most impactful line combination was the initials line of JvR-KJ-LDBB.

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-luca-del-bel-belluz-is-on-schedule/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Zach Aston-Reese found his role

To all but the most niche of groups (shout out to the Jersey Nerds), Zach Aston-Reese isn’t even a blip on the radar. He’s been on six teams in eight seasons, including stints of 17 games with Anaheim, three with Detroit, and zero with Vegas (the Jackets claimed him off waivers before he could dress for the Golden Knights this season). However, this season in Columbus, he’s seemed to have…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-zach-aston-reese-found-his-role/
 
2024-25 Player Review: JVR was an unexpected VIP for the CBJ

In early fall, Don Waddell found himself in desperate need of a forward. There was not only the tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau, but also the trade of Patrik Laine a week before, and news that Justin Danforth’s recovery from off-season wrist surgery would keep him out for the duration of preseason, and possibly the start of the regular season. There were certainly prospects who could contend…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-jvr-was-an-unexpected-vip-for-the-cbj/
 
2024-25 Player Review: Jet is ready for take off

What started out as a fairly typical season for a promising goalie prospect ended with a bang. It’s impossible to think of the finish to the year without first and foremost talking about Jet Greaves. Jet brought life to a rapidly fading Jackets club that appeared to be dead in the water. Ultimately the playoff bid fell short, but that cannot be blamed on Jet. The plan was to let Tarasov…

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Source: https://www.jacketscannon.com/2024-25-player-review-jet-is-ready-for-take-off/
 
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