Columbus Blue Jackets: 2018 Off-Season Right Defensemen Depth Chart

The Columbus Blue Jackets depth at left-handed defensemen is likely the strongest point on the team, but the right-handed defensemen category is not quite as impressive.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have one of the league’s top right-handed defensemen and a few solid prospects down the depth chart. Using Elite Prospects’ depth chart as a base, here’s Union and Blue‘s 2018 right handed defensemen depth chart.

1. Seth Jones
Seth Jones is a future Norris trophy winner, there is little doubt about it that in the minds of many Columbus Blue Jackets fans. His offensive skill meshed with his defensive capabilities have made him an elite defenseman at the age of only 23 years old. After tying Zach Werenski for the franchise goals by a defenseman by the record when both finished the season with 16 goals, Jones went on to score 5 points in 6 playoff games. With more potential left to show, Seth Jones is the future of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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2. David Savard

At the end of the 2017-2018 season, David Savard became one half of the “Lumber Jackets” with Ian Cole. Savard has had many pairing partners over the years, however if Cole is re-signed it is unlikely that the two would be split up. Savard is a decent second pairing option, however it’s likely that he’d be a better fit on the bottom pairing. As it currently stands though, he’ll remain on the second pairing for the foreseeable future.

3. Veeti Vainio

Veeti Vainio is a fairly questionable option to have this high, however he’s performed well at every level he’s played at. While the former 5th round draft pick has been stuck in Mestis, which is the Finnish equivalent of the AHL in his short stints in Liiga he’s been fairly effective. Vainio is not the most offensive defenseman, which may bring up questions of him fitting in well in the Columbus Blue Jackets system of play. In the future, Vainio will be an NHL regular assuming he’s willing to make the jump to North America.

4. Andrew Peeke

Andrew Peeke is a former second round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets who is currently playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish of the NCAA. In his first two seasons at the collegiate level he’s put up 14 points both years. The 20 year old has decent size at 6’3″ and nearly 200 pounds, if he were to add some weight he’d be an excellent physical player with an offensive skill set making him a legitimate option at the NHL level.

5. Ryan Collins

Ryan Collins has been seen as a defenseman of the future for the Blue Jackets for quite a while, however that’s starting to become a question mark as his play since being drafted hasn’t been quite up to expectations. He put up 10 points in 57 games with the Cleveland Monsters in his first full AHL season, however they were all assists. While it’s possible he makes an impact at the NHL level, every year it’s becoming less and less likely for the former University of Minnesota defenseman.

6. Blake Siebenaler

Blake Siebenaler was a fairly highly touted prospect in his draft year, however he has yet to do much to impress many in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. He’s put up 3 goals and 3 assists in both of the last two years, however it was in 20 games less in the recently completed season compared to the year prior. He only played 23 games last season so it was difficult to see how good he truly is. He may make the NHL some day, he may not. Only time will tell for Siebenaler.

7. Jacob Graves

Jacob Graves put up the exact same stat line as Siebenaler 3-3-6 in 23 before being sent down to the ECHL, however he’s a year older and seems to have less long term potential. Graves will at best be a career AHL player, he’s likely to end up as a career fringe AHL/ECHL player though.

8. Robbie Stucker

Robbie Stucker is the Columbus Blue Jackets most recent seventh round draft pick, however he hasn’t had the luck that former seventh rounder Markus Nutivaara. Stucker is set to play for his hometown University of Minnesota, and a strong performance there may grant him a future chance at the NHL level.

While the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t quite have the greatest depth on the right-handed defensemen front, their incredible depth on the left side certainly can help make up for it. Maybe one of the lower level players will surprise everyone and become a solidifying player someday.

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