The Columbus Blue Jackets are nearing the deadline to decide the season outcome for center Cole Sillinger, who was drafted 12th overall in the 2021 draft.
Sillinger was acquired in a pick swap with Chicago involving defenseman Seth Jones, so it’s nice to see early game action and results from the youngest active player currently in the league.
His junior team’s rights are currently with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. If he passes the 9th game, he will burn a year of his entry level contract if he plays that 10th with Columbus.
Sillinger has been currently playing in the third line center role, behind captain Boone Jenner and former Jet Jack Roslovic. His ice time playing in a less role will result in less minutes if he is not sent back and playing top center in developmental.
The direction of the team will also continue to stunt his growth if continuously playing with the big club the full season. The team is in a building year, and is going to be looking to sell off expiring contracts and regain prospects.
The losing environment will not help the player development of Cole Sillinger and Columbus to get the value out of the other players on the assets they can acquire via trade.
Additionally, the Blue Jackets have plenty of center options on the roster in Alexandre Texier, Max Domi, Boone Jenner, Jack Roslovic, and Sean Kuraly as center options. They also have AHL options in Justin Danforth, Nathan Gerbe, and Tyler Sikura as depth in the system. Sillinger’s development can only benefit from returning to junior, and it must happen to better the long term success potential for Columbus.
Furthermore, the 2022 and 2023 drafts provide even stronger and better opportunities for Columbus to acquire better prospects to support the roster going forward. With the future in Shane Wright and Conor Bedard and more there is a lot to make with the upcoming stars for the league, and add to it with a bit of a wait.
Thoughts?
More to come...