The upcoming NHL Expansion Draft is not ideal for any team. For the Columbus Blue Jackets, it comes at a bad time since they’ve finally established a solid core group of players.
The Vegas Golden Knights will select one player from each NHL franchise this summer. There’s no doubt a good player will have to leave the Columbus Blue Jackets.
After the obvious top players like Alexander Wennberg, Brandon Saad and Cam Atkinson, the protection list will be tricky due to a few key players that the team won’t want to lose. Josh Anderson is one of those players. He may not project as a top six forward, but he proved to be a very valuable role player this past season.
Considering the development of the Columbus Blue Jackets defense this season, they are likely to select the option of protecting seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie.
Assuming Wennberg, Saad, Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner are protected, and that Scott Hartnell waives his no movement clause, one spot remains open for Anderson.
Though others may have a case from protection, such as William Karlsson, here’s why the Columbus Blue Jackets need to protect Josh Anderson instead.
Trending upwards
The way that Josh Anderson has played the last few seasons shows his game is trending in the right direction. There’s no reason to believe that he can’t improve on his goal and point totals from last season.
On top of that, he will be only 23 years old when next season starts. Anderson has the ability to score 20 goals per season for the coming years. His development will help carry the organization in the right direction.
Physical play
Everyone who has watched Josh Anderson play knows he can stick it to his opponents night in and night out. He stands 6’3” tall and weighs about 220 lbs, allowing him to be dominant physical force.
If Anderson continues to develop and play his style of game, he will be a matchup problem for opponents. Oh by the way, he’s not afraid to drop the gloves either.
Center prospects on the way
William Karlsson will push Josh Anderson for the case of being protected, but prospects will play a role in who is ultimately protected.
With Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kevin Stenlund on the way, the case is that much more difficult to protect Karlsson. Both of these prospects are highly-skilled and gained significant playoff experience this season.
That being said, there’s no guarantee that Karlsson would be protected anyway with Jack Johnson likely being exposed.
Related Story: Columbus Blue Jackets Should Not Protect Jack Johnson
This makes it that much easier to put Anderson on the protected list. The Columbus Blue Jackets need to keep the third-year pro in Central Ohio for years to come.
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