Top 20 Wingers: Johnny Gaudreau Ranked 17th On NHL Network's Countdown Series

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY @JetsPizza | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/PWgIO5nDQq

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 13, 2023

Also on Sunday, the NHL Network rolled out their rankings of the top 20 wings around the league right now.

While David Pastrnak took home bragging rights and the first-place crown, Gaudreau wound up 17th on the list.

The ranking feels like a solid placement. You can probably quibble about particular names and order but Gaudreau followed up a superstar breakout season two years ago with a very solid first year in Columbus.

Now with more talent around him and a new head coach in Mike Babcock, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a spike in Gaudreau's production after what might have felt like modest numbers a season ago.

As one might imagine, Gaudreau feels even better heading into his second campaign with the Jackets as NHL.com's Adam Kimelman found out in a sit-down with the star.

"I definitely feel a lot more comfortable," Gaudreau said prior to his annual appearance at the Checking For Charity tournament, close by his hometown of Salem, New Jersey. "I know all the guys, the whole organization. Getting to know the city really well. Getting to know some restaurants here and there. Just starting to feel more like home. That's what we wanted. We get to see a lot of our family throughout the year, too, because it's so close. It's exactly what we wanted."

Aside from the pressures of signing a new contract and playing in a brand-new city, there are the humanizing elements, pressures, and new situations such as a new house and his wife giving birth to the couple's first child.

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While we've hit on this a bit already from an overall team perception, Gaudreau's response about his new head coach lends insight into what a lot of the players seem to like when asked if he prefers more demanding coaches, similar to Darryl Sutter with the Calgary Flames.

"I guess a little bit. I don't know (Babcock) too well. I played for Bob Hartley, another guy who is very demanding and Sutter the same way, so I've had success under those coaches. They want their teams to win. They push their guys every single day and they don't let things slide. That's what you need out of a coach. It's going to be fun."

It feels like there have been a lot of veiled shots at the former head coach, Brad Larsen, but it looks like everyone is on the same page.

Jarmos confidence for this season: @safelite | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/yioGMThdh4

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 12, 2023

It does feel like the Blue Jackets have cemented a foundation for future success, but now it's time to prove it.

There's still a chance for more Blue Jackets names to come as the next list by the NHL Network will be ranking the top 20 defensemen around the league on Aug. 20.