Columbus Blue Jackets: Options for Tyler Motte

When the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Artemi Panarin, they also acquired a young forward, Tyler Motte . Today we take a look a the Blue Jackets options for Motte.

An overlooked aspect of the Columbus Blue Jackets trade for the breadman is Tyler Motte. The Chicago Blackhawks selected Tyler Motte in the 4th round of the 2013 NHL Draft.

Motte played college hockey at the University of Michigan where he tallied 56 points in 38 games during the 2015-2016 season before turning professional. The CBJ saw plenty of Motte as they scouted Motte’s teammate in Michigan, Zack Werenski.

In the 2016-2017 season, Motte played in 33 games with the Chicago Blackhawks tallying four goals and three assists. He also played 43 games in the AHL for the Rockford IceHogs tallying 16 points. These numbers do not jump off the page, but the 22-year-old does have NHL experience which is truly a plus.

He has had some injuries but has a high ceiling and the Jackets front office is excited about this guy. What are Motte’s options going forward?

Option 1: Motte Makes the Blue Jackets Out of Camp

The Columbus Blue Jackets have tough decisions on who is going to make the opening night roster and one of the hardest decisions is on the wing. Motte is a Center that can play on the wing as well. With the center position looking like it is stacked, Motte’s best chance is probably on the wing.

The Columbus Blue Jackets truly have depth on the wing, so Motte is going to have an uphill battle to make the team. Motte is a new face in the Columbus Blue Jackets system, so what they see in camp is going to be the biggest criteria for him making the team. He does have some familiar faces that he would have to beat out in Markus Hannikainen and Sonny Milano.

Sonny Milano has been seen as a prospect that should have made the jump to the NHL by now, so Milano may be motivated to show he deserves a spot on the opening night roster. On the other Markus Hannikainen has been impressive in multiple call ups but has not been able to stick in Columbus for the long haul.

Option 2: Blue Jacket Call Up Motte Later in the Season

Columbus does not give roster spots out of camp based on where they think a player should be but based on their in camp performance. The Blue Jackets showed this with Oliver Bjorkstrand not making the team after a poor camp. Bjorkstrand underperformed and had to find his game before sticking in Columbus.

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If Motte does not immediately make the team, he can still be called up later in the season. Being in Cleveland in the beginning of the season is far from a year long assignment. The Blue Jackets are very active moving players up and down, so Motte will be given every chance to move up.

With injurys a natural part of the NHL season, there will be chances for AHLers to make the drive down I-71 and play in union blue.

Prediction: Option 2

The Blue Jackets are loaded at winger and center, and Motte will be on the outside looking in when it comes to the Blue Jackets opening night roster. Motte is talented, but Hannikainen or Milano or both will make the opening night roster.

Related Story: Vitaly Abramov is Another Jacket to Look Out For

Motte needs to continue to play, so it does not make sense for the Blue Jackets to keep him as an extra winger and scratch him when he still needs to develop as a professional. Tyler will be seen in the Union and Blue, but it will not be until later in the season.