Rookie tournaments around the NHL will begin this weekend. Following those tournaments, players will report to training camp and the new season will be just a few weeks away. It is the time of year for hope and optimism. The Columbus Blue Jackets are no different. The Blue Jackets, like nearly every NHL team, made some additions over the off-season. Those aren’t the only sources of a team’s possible improvement though. The Blue Jackets will also look for some of their young players to take a step forward and improve, early in their NHL careers. Winger Oliver Bjorkstrand is one of the players they hope can take on a bigger role.
Oliver Bjorkstrand In For a Big Year
Previous Seasons
Oliver Bjorkstrand took a big step forward last season. In his second NHL season, Bjorkstrand played all 82 games and scored 40 points. This season, Bjorkstrand could have a breakout season and become an extremely productive player for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 2016-17 season was considered Bjorkstrand’s rookie season. That season Bjorkstrand scored six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 26 NHL games, before suffering a concussion. In his 37 games with the AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, Bjorkstrand put up 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points.
While 2016-17 was considered Bjorkstrand’s rookie season, last year was his first full season in Columbus. He proved he deserved to be in Columbus. Bjorkstrand scored 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points. In the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs he played in all six of the Blue Jackets games, scoring a goal and two assists for three points.
What Needs to Happen
The Blue Jackets will need to find a scoring option outside of the first line. Bjorkstrand could be that option if he keeps improving. This past season he finished third on the team in assists and fifth in points. If Bjorkstrand can start to become a consistent goal scorer he will be a key player for Columbus.
Shots
Like many players on the roster, Bjorkstrand will need to shoot the puck more if he wants to reach that productivity level. Bjorkstrand averaged less than two shots per game, 1.98 to be exact. In comparison, Artemi Panarin shot the puck 2.78 times a game. Bjorkstrand will not be like Panarin but if he wants to improve his goal totals, he needs to shoot the puck that many times. While .8 shots per game might not seem like a big difference, spread over 82 games it really adds up. Panarin shot the puck 65 more times than Bjorkstrand did last year. Bjorkstrands shots hit the back of the net 6.7 percent of the time. If he would have got those extra 65 shots he would have had added five goals to his total.
Find the Right Fit
For Bjorkstrand to be productive he also has to be on the right line. John Tortorella tends to break up lines mid=game and go with the hot hand. However, there is still some structure to the lineup. Bjorkstrand has to find a line where there is another scorer who can take some of the defense’s focus. That way Bjorkstrand can get into a scoring position. It does not matter is he takes more shots if they are not good shots.
Having another scorer on the line would also help Bjorkstrand’s become a playmaker. Tortorella even said after a game against the New York Islanders this past season, “He just quietly goes about his business… He’s a talented player. He slides. He’s slippery. He can get into spaces and he gets out of trouble with the puck on his stick.”
If Bjorkstrand can get on a line with a player like Nick Foligno it should increase both players productivity to increase significantly. With Cam Atkinson as the only established right winger, Bjorkstrand could very well end up on such a line.
Entering into his third year in the NHL, Bjorkstrand is poised to have a breakout season. He had 40 points last this season and is expected to improve on that. Bjorkstrand has shown improvement every year so far and there is no reason to believe that will stop. If he does have a breakout season Bjorkstrand could be a top goal scorer for the Blue Jackets.
