John Tortorella is a big fan of Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Much like Zach Werenski, Tortorella got his first look at Bjorkstrand during the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs while both were driving the bus for the Cleveland Monsters. Bjorkstrand was scoring goals left and right while Werenski was anchoring the defense as an 18-year-old, and everyone had the same feeling: these two players are huge pieces to a bright future in Columbus.
For Werenski, it came a lot easier.
He made a seamless transition to the NHL game and scored 11 goals and 47 points while earning a nomination for the Calder Trophy. Further, he was a crucial part of the Blue Jackets’ 50-win team that played an uptempo, aggressive style unlike any previous iteration of the club. Werenski is a top-pairing defenseman, a power play quarterback, and so much more for the Blue Jackets.
In Bjorkstrand’s case, it has taken a bit longer.
Scoring 50 and 65 goals in his final two seasons with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, it seemed reasonable to conclude that Bjorkstrand would be able to make an offensive impact in the AHL and then NHL. With the Monsters, Bjorkstrand was one of their top guys and even more so during the playoffs, when he scored the game-winning (and championship-winning) goal against the Hershey Bears.
Tortorella saw a player who was tantalizingly close to being a full-time NHLer, but training camp didn’t produce the results either the coach or player had sought. Bjorkstrand had a few good preseason games and made the team out of camp, then was promptly sent back after a slow start to the season. The game looked fast for him — too fast — and the Blue Jackets needed to get him back on track.
Part of the issue for Bjorkstrand was a short summer; he played deep into the summer and didn’t get much time to recover before camp. It was a huge camp for Bjorkstrand and he spent most of it chasing and trying to get up to speed. This time around, there was a different feeling and he was much better.
His power play goal last night against Buffalo was a prime example of what he can do — work his way around the offensive zone, find some quiet ice, and quickly snap off a lethal shot. It’s a ridiculous release, one the Blue Jackets would like to see more often.
The Blue Jackets didn’t add more offense this summer in part because they were high on their cast of emerging young players, and Bjorkstrand’s in that group. Sonny Milano has impressed out of the gate and Pierre-Luc Dubois appears to be getting some traction.
When Bjorkstrand gets going — and he’s been more noticeable in the last few games — the Blue Jackets have more of the depth they need to contend in the division.
AN INTERESTING-BUT-GOOD QUALITY
When you’re good, you’re good.
The Blue Jackets had kind of a sleepy first period against the Sabres. They had some chances but Buffalo carried the 5-on-5 play, and Sergei Bobrovsky did well to keep it 0-0 through 20 minutes. In the second period, they turned it up and put the pedal down on the Sabres, who gave up three goals in less than three minutes and got caved in at even strength.
It’s an example of what this Blue Jackets team is capable of: they have depth and skill to the point where a lousy start can be wiped out in the blink of an eye. They’re not going to be bang-on every night (god, I sound like Tortorella) but they have a card to play when they need it; that extra gear was on display many times last season and, ideally, they need it less this time around and start more games on time. So far, so good in 2017-18.
WE'RE READY FOR YOU, SOLO
One thing I’ve kind of put on the back burner with all of The Last Jedi excitement is next spring’s Han Solo anthology movie from Ron Howard. I know a lot of people are skeptical, giving all of the reshoots and drama surrounding the exit of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, but Howard seems like the right guy to take over and see Solo to the finish line.
Han is a favorite for so many Star Wars fans but we don’t know a lot about him; in the original trilogy, he didn’t want us to know anything of his past or even his present, but in this movie, we’re going all the way back to his teenage years — and Woody Harrelson is involved!
But seriously, I’m fired up for Solo and it’s going to be a killer six months for Star Wars fans.
YOU SHOULD BE READING
- Will the real Blue Jackets rival please stand up?
- Another center injury means it's time to evaluate all options.
- This is a great story of the team's visit to Nationwide Children's.
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