In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for most underrated on the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Todd Cordell
Josh Anderson.
Injuries and poor puck luck made him a complete write-off during the 2019-20 regular season, however, I’m still really high on him.
Anderson has averaged .90 goals per 60 since the beginning of the 2017-18 season. Even accounting for the disaster that was this year, .90/60 still matches Jack Eichel’s 5v5 goal scoring rate and bests stars like Evander Kane, Claude Giroux, Taylor Hall and Filip Forsberg. He is an excellent chance generator and is a strong enough finisher to take advantage of his opportunities.
Anderson also hits like a truck and his on-ice impact has improved throughout the years. He has posted a positive relative xGF% in three consecutive seasons.
He’s developed into a quality power forward and, at 26, I still think there is plenty of gas left in the tank.
Sean Maloughney Tortorella has coached the Blue Jackets to be a strong possession team that doesn't give up many chances in their own end. They might not be the flashiest team but they continuously are able to get the job done and the young Eric Robinson deserves a mention.
Of their forwards who have played at least 40 games, Robinson is 4th on the team in CF% with a 50.96%. More impressively he led the team in GF% at 63.89%, being on ice for 23 goals for and only 13 against.
Robinson was able to do all of this averaging the second fewest minutes a game on average (only Jakob Lilja averaged less). In a limited amount of time he still produced 7 goals and 5 assists, all at even strength.
Another interesting fact is that of his 7 goals, 3 of them ended up being game winning goals, placing him tied for third on the team. His stats may not look impressive but Robinson certainly made the most of the minutes he received.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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