Talon Takes: Tim Erixon and the Falcons Responding to Adversity

The Union and Blue is committed to bringing you the latest news and opinions about the Columbus Blue Jackets, but we are also interested in keeping you updated on the entire Blue Jackets organization, including their affiliates. Talon Takes will give you a quick update on the Jackets AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, as well as analysis on the performance of Blue Jackets prospects. 

Photo Courtesy Of Paul J. Sagan

Tim Erixon

While Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky have proven to be successful additions to the Blue Jackets lineup, one forgotten piece of the Rick Nash trade is Tim Erixon. He has yet to score a goal for the Jackets, but last season he tallied 5 assists. Due to the Jackets defensive depth, Erixon has started the 2013-14 season with the Springfield Falcons. He has made the most of that opportunity, and currently leads the team with 11 points (3G, 8A), and has played a big part in Springfield’s hot start.

It is understandable why the acquisition of Erixon was overlooked, as when the Jackets got him he was still very much a work in progress. He was overshadowed last season by Dalton Prout, which explains why the CBJ elected to start him in the minors this season. Erixon has used that time to grow and improve his game, and with the Jackets blue line struggling out of the gate, it may not be long before we see Tim Erixon called up to the NHL level.

Hockey’s Future analysis (they give him a 7.5 prospect score) on Erixon reads:

"Erixon is a great puck moving defenseman who has the ability to work the point on the power play. He isn’t physical, but has decent stick work at both ends of the ice. He is a two-way defenseman with a gifted wrist shot."

Photo Courtesy Of Paul J. Sagan

Springfield’s Success

The Falcons started the 2013-14 season 5-0-0, only to see their winning streak end on October 25th in a loss to the Providence Bruins. They followed the streak ending loss with two more against Worcester and Adirondack. They did not stay on the losing track for long, however, and racked up two wins in a sweep of the Hartford Wolf Pack. Adirondack got the best of them again this past Friday in a 3-0 shutout, but Springfield bounced back with a 4-3 win over Wilkes-Barre Scranton on Sunday.

Springfield now leads the Northeast Division with 17 points, one point ahead of the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Falcons have 4 days of rest, before taking on Bridgeport Sound Tigers at home on Friday and then traveling to Portland, Maine to take on the Portland Pirates on Saturday.