Welcome CBJ fans to my annual look at the Blue Jackets prospects pool. The Hockey News Future Watch issue has come out and in the team rankings the CBJ are the highest riser going from a B grade which had them 17th to an A- moving them all the way to second behind the Anaheim Ducks. There’s a whole handicapping thing to go with the grading but I’m not going to bore you with that, I’m guessing the rise is due to the team having and using all three first round picks in the draft along with some prospects improving along with a big time sleeper pick.
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For the first time ever it seems I have no real problem with this top 10 list. I’ll admit I don’t count Tim Erixon in my prospect top 20 due to playing so many games with the CBJ last season but, The Hockey News has different criteria. Also it’s ironic that they have a feature in the issue about how he’s been in every Future Watch rankings since 2009 ranking as high as 15th in 2011 low as 61 in 2013.
As for the prospects the team has to sign, the Jackets have three prospects from the 2012 draft and two NCAA seniors that need signed. I thought that teams had longer to make decisions on prospects drafted from European teams but it sounds like that isn’t the case anymore due to the new CBA. The three prospects from the 2012 draft are Oscar Dansk, Daniel Zaar and Gianluca Curcuruto. The two seniors are Martin Ouellette and TJ Tynan. Of these five there are only two I think should be signed, two are maybes and one I’m fairly certain won’t be signed.
The two that should be signed are Oscar Dansk and Daniel Zaar. Looking at Oscar, he is the teams top goalie prospect and sits among the league leaders in the OHL regular season; however, I’m not sure where he’ll play next season. As for Daniel, he is probably the Jackets most dangerous prospect with the puck. He possesses a lethal shot that could help the power play particularly if he is given some time to develop the other facets of his game.
The two maybes are TJ Tynan and Gianluca Curcuruto. Tynan is another of the Jackets more dangerous offensive prospects. He is a great playmaker but never has been able to match his freshman year numbers. Another negative – even if it doesn’t matter as much – is his size. TJ is a smaller player at 5’8″ 165. As for Gianluca, the team could use his bomb of a shot but he has had a down year playing on a Plymouth Whalers team that wasn’t its usual dominant self and he’s also dealt with injuries this season. I’ve said in a previous post what my take is on Martin so I’m not gonna repeat myself, I wish Martin all the best in the future.
Of course, looking to another prospect, it seems like this always happens as I’m working on this annual post, but TJ Tynan was signed to a two year entry level deal meaning he’ll begin his pro career next season and also join the Jackets in Traverse City.
Those prospects aside, Jarmo Kekalainen/Chris McFarland (CBJ Asst GM/Springfield GM) will certainly be busy this summer. At the moment, the Falcons only have five players under contract for next season, couple that with the fact that four players are turning pro along with the fact that the CBJ have two rookie goalies under contract who I’m not sure where they’re going to play. Those four turning pro are 2013 first round picks Kerby Rychel, Marko Dano, Josh Anderson and TJ Tynan. The two goalies are Anton Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo. The Falcons currently have 10 restricted free agents that are fairly easy resignings, those 10 are forwards Jake Hansen, Sean Collins, Oliver Gabriel (doubt he’s resigned, however as he’s been injured most of his entry level contract), Dana Tyrell, defensemen Ilari Melart, Tim Erixon, Cody Goloubef, Will Weber, Anton Blomqvist (may get qualifying offer but bet he stays in Sweden) and goaltender Jeremy Smith. As for the Falcons unrestricted free agents I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jack Skille, Cody Bass and Carter Camper be brought back along with possibly Mike McKenna; however, like I said I’m not sure where all these goalies are going to play as I spoke about in my goalie post last month.
As for unsigned prospects, they all should be back where they played this season. Nick Moutrey needs to continue his improvement, along with becoming a more vocal leader. He’ll have that opportunity as he may possibly be wearing an A according to Sprit beat writer Cory Butzin. Out west, Oliver Bjorkstrand should again be one of the Winterhawks go to guys and he will also be playing for Denmark at the World Junior Championships. Unlike the others in this section Oliver is signed by the Blue Jackets but his only options are playing in Columbus or Portland next season. Peter Quenneville will count as one of Wheat Kings three 20 year olds next season and should be in the Wheat Kings top six. Peter could play in the AHL next season, so he could be assigned to Springfield for a bit during camp, but I bet he’s back in Brandon next season. Dillon Heatherington will again be the Broncos top Dman and could be the team’s captain if captain Colby Cave doesn’t return for his 20 year old season.
In the NCAA, Mike Reilly and Seth Ambroz will return to Minnesota for their junior (Mike) and senior (Seth) seasons. Mike will be one of the Gophers top Dmen and he could be one of the best in the country, at least in terms of putting up points. Seth should make it into the top six while also being a physical/net front presence.
Over in Europe, Alexander Wennberg as of this writing hasn’t been signed but I bet a deal is coming for him. If he does get signed he could go to Springfield or he could be loaned to Frölunda for another year with the Indians. Should he stay with the Indians he’ll likely be playing in their top six and possibly lead the Swedes at the World Juniors again. Markus Søberg should be back with Indians either with the J20 team or possibly with the big club in which he got a game with them late in the season. Markus is also eligible to return to the Norwegian World Junior team but the Polar Bears will be in the Division 1 after being relegated last year.
This is the part where I do kind of a wishlist for the NHL draft. I’ll admit, with the Jackets playing well my draft knowledge is limited so this will be more of a general needs listing. Maybe it’s proximity, but I do like what I’ve read about Kerby Rychel’s line/teammate in Guelph Robby Fabbri (25th ranked NA Skater 58GP 45-42-87). Also, I believe the Jackets need to refill their defensive prospects having only Reilly and Heatherington as unsigned but there are a lot in Springfield helping the team’s depth. Again, the team could add some size and skill especially if Daniel Zaar is unsigned. If the Jackets do draft a goalie it should be a “project” – either an incoming NCAA goalie or one playing in Europe because the team is currently fine for years down the line in my opinion.
There you have it folks – my take on the Blue Jackets prospect pool. Sound off in the comments if you agree, disagree or want to know more!
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