The first two preseason games weren’t an ideal start for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They lost their first game 5-2 and lost 3-2 in overtime in their second game.
Despite the two losses, a few players have been able to showcase their skills nicely for the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s may be a small sample size, but it’s never too early to try to stand out from the rest of the pack.
Here are the players that have stuck out so far:
Sonny Milano & Zac Dalpe
Sonny Milano and Zac Dalpe teamed up in the second preseason game on Wednesday night. The two gained chemistry playing for the Cleveland Monsters last year, and are showing it at the right time.
Milano was certainly playing to his strengths during this game, assisting on both of Dalpe’s goals.
Sonny Milano has two primary assists tonight. #CBJ ☀️
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) September 21, 2017
Dalpe will be interesting to watch from here on out because he wants to make a case for himself as a depth player in the NHL. Milano, on the other hand, is more so on the radar of the Blue Jackets coaching staff as a young and skilled player.
Sam Vigneault
Sam Vigneault was impressive in the first preseason game, but unfortunately he suffered a broken finger.
Jody Shelley talking up Sam Vigneault. Everyone with the #CBJ really seems to like the big young centerman from Clarkson.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) September 20, 2017
Vigneault will be out 4-6 weeks with the injury. Making the NHL roster might have been a stretch, but with Columbus’ lack of depth at center, you never know.
He will likely go back to Cleveland to play in the AHL once he recovers.
Pierre-Luc Dubois
Pierre-Luc Dubois looked solid on Tuesday night. The more he plays, the more he looks like the rightful third overall pick in 2016.
Related Story: Pierre-Luc Dubois Passing Puljujarvi
He didn’t factor into the score sheet in the first preseason game, but that doesn’t discredit the way he played.
The 19-year old is going to get a great chance to make the Blue Jackets roster this season. In fact, it’d be a safe bet to assume he will be an NHL-er when the season starts.
Ryan Murray
Obviously, we all know who Ryan Murray is at this point. Whether you like him or not, he deserves a shoutout for his play on Wednesday.
Quick peek at box score. Ryan Murray played over 26 minutes tonight and is credited with 8 blocked shots...#CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) September 21, 2017
For a guy who has had as many injuries as Murray, it’s nice to see him getting in the shooting lanes this preseason. This is something he might need to do more of if he wants to work his way back up the depth chart.
Likely to be on the third pair, Murray knows he’ll have to be gritty and block more shots to be a successful player. He’s still young, so props to Ryan Murray for, at least not publicly, whining about playing time, pairings, etc.
Hopefully he can get back on track this season, and stay healthy too.
These young players have their own backstories, but they all have the goal to be contributors to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL season. Only a few will get that chance.