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The Blue Jackets are among the group of NHL teams trending towards analytics and using graphs, charts and other forms of data to help make certain decisions with assets.

While there's no mention if the team is using traditional analytics such as Corsi, Fenwick, etc. to evaluate players and how they fare in certain situations, they have found a way to use data to help them at the draft table.

In short, the Blue Jackets look at the success players selected at pick X have had, and compare that success to how players selected at picks Y and Z over the same period of time, and then determine if it's worth pulling the trigger on the draft pick trade offer on the table based off their value chart.

Blue Jackets analytics guru had this to offer up when talking about the chart and using data to help the team make decisions.

Via Rob Mixer's article on the Blue Jackets website: "The more information we have to make a decision, the better, and the value chart contains a ton of information," Flynn said. "When we go to the chart to make a trade, we're extremely confident that we're going to arrive at the right decision - and there's data to back it up."

The Blue Jackets provided us with a perfect example of how they use the chart at last year's draft when they traded pick 44 (G Tristan Jarry) to Pittsburgh for picks 50 (D Dillon Heatherington) and 89 (F Oliver Bjorkstrand).

While it's still early, it looks like Columbus' value chart paid off on this occasion. Heatherington, a 6'4 defenseman who can skate, posted 35 points in the WHL last season while Oliver Bjorkstrand scored 50 goals and recorded 109 points in 69 games which put him among the league leaders in points.

There are exceptions to everything and at times the chart may fail the team, but if it can give them a competitive advantage and help the team make proper decisions more often than not, they will reap the rewards down the road.

When the draft rolls around in less than two weeks time, be sure to watch Jarmo Kekalainen and co. closely to see how they apply this method once again to help improve the future of the franchise.

Jackets posts

Buying out Umberger is Columbus' last resort

Kekalainen sheds light on plans for pending free agents

Blue Jackets should listen to offers for Jack Johnson

Blue Jackets prospect data: Rychel, Bjorkstrand dominant in 13-14

Sergei Bobrovsky deserves to be paid as one of the NHL's top goaltenders

How should Columbus handle Ryan Johansen's next contract?

Devils posts

On potential free agent targets

Targeting Ales Hemsky

Adam Larsson committed to playing in New Jersey

Devils prospect data: Damon Severson stellar in 13-14

Contract talks between Devils, Schneider are underway

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