All of the players we have covered thus far for our “Season in Review” series were players that had played more than 31 games this past season. This article is for the players who fell just short of that mark whether it was due to call ups, injuries or just healthy scratches — we won’t discriminate. These players are getting graded just like the rest of the team.
Forwards
Jared Boll
I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Boll; however, it became obvious that he was going to be unable to play at the NHL level after seeing him in the first few games of the season. He had 3 points in 30 games this year and was often a healthy scratch. Boller was a staple in Columbus for the better part of the last decade – but his time playing hockey has passed and he rightfully was bought out this off-season.
Grade: F
David Clarkson
Injured at the end of the 2014-15 season, it looked as if Clarkson hadn’t recovered at all when he started the year. While his play has been criticized by many, Clarkson did have moments where he looked like he could at least be serviceable on the ice. As the year went on and he missed a large chunk of games due to another injury, you began to realize that what you saw with Clarkson was what you were going to get. He once was adequate possession wise but any signs of that are long gone. What happens with this player should make for an interesting training camp come this fall.
Grade: F
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Bjorkstrand had the most impressive rookie display this past year in the NHL for the Jackets. 8 points in 12 games bodes well for the future. He was often pushed off the puck due to his lack of strength but a year in an NHL weight room should get him up to par. He was riding the percentages a bit last year, but if he is able to give half of the production he had last year, consider it a success.
Grade: B+
Sonny Milano
Last year with the team you could see why he was drafted so high. Electric with the puck on his stick, you don’t want to look away when Milano was on the ice for a second. Much like Bjorkstrand, you could see Milano getting shoved off of the puck a little too often. What they both have in common is a slyness to their game that forces turnovers making them sneaky good defensively. He will definitely need another year in the AHL to hone his game but if he ever finds consistency, watch out.
Grade: C
Josh Anderson
Brought up after injuries ravaged the team during a month or so stretch, Anderson had a problem with consistency. At times looking tentative with the puck, that took away an important part of his game, his recklessness. He had a couple good games with Kerby Rychel, outside of that his impact wasn’t truly felt. He will get a long look at training camp due to his Calder Cup performance.
Grade: C
Michael Chaput
Only a handful of games played this past season in the big league, but you always knew what you were going to get from Chaput. Some grit and grime, possibly a goal as well. After multiple years of threatening to make it onto the Jackets roster, he could never get over the proverbial hump to be a solid NHLer. Chaput was not offered a contract extension this year and has sinced signed with Vancouver.
Grade: D
Markus Hannikainen
Hannikainen never really made an impact while up with the Jackets, he was injured in his first game and once he came back never really took hold of a spot. There was not enough time up in the NHL to truly give him a grade that reflects who he is as a player.
Grade: Incomplete
Defensemen
Dean Kukan
Many wrote about the strong play of Dean Kukan over the course of a few games, unfortunately I never really saw the great play many talked about. His possession numbers weren’t great and he often looked timid during my viewings. He had a good +/-, though that doesn’t count for much in my eyes. He definitely improved throughout last season and I am interested to see what he can do over a longer stretch of time with the team.
Grade: C-
Justin Falk
At this point in Falk’s career you know what you are going to get. He is going to throw his body around and get into a couple of scraps. In today’s NHL, those defensemen have lost their value and aren’t nearly as coveted as they once were. One of the plays that summed up his season was the Connor McDavid goal where he and Jack Johnson got absolutely torched. Falk is fine against fourth line competition, play him any higher than that, you are asking for trouble.
Grade: D
John Ramage
Only saw one game with the Jackets this past year and didn’t particularly look out of place. Ramage’s consistency was up and down this year due to injuries. Unsure where he fits on a packed AHL blue line.
Grade: Incomplete
Michael Paliotta
Paliotta was one of the highest scoring defensemen on the Monsters this past year. His time with the Blue Jackets was entirely forgettable as he took multiple penalties and gave up a goal as well. Whether or not he can be a NHL defenseman remains to be seen, rather then the Jackets finding out, he signed with the Rangers in the off-season.
Grade: Incomplete
Goalies
Anton Forsberg
Four games in the NHL and he once again put up pedestrian numbers. His AHL time and Calder Cup run may have given him another chance in the league, as he competes for a back up role on the Blue Jackets this fall.
Grade: C-
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