The Columbus Blue Jackets 2016 7th Round pick has put in the work this offseason. Will it pay off for Calvin Thurkauf this year?
The first season in North America for Calvin Thurkauf was a long slug of a year. After a good start, the Swiss center’s season reflected what the Cleveland Monsters were going through as a team. A long, disappointing year with a glimmer of hope shining towards the end.
And not a glimmer because the team was surging and looking to make the playoffs, but because the season was coming to and end and the youngest team in the AHL had made it through the year. Thurkauf had a solid finish to the season after being put back at center.
Thurkauf played in 75 of the Monsters 76 games. He bounced back between center and wing for Cleveland but played better when he was played at center, much like Pierre-Luc Dubois. His 11 goals and 13 assist were good for seventh on the team and most among players under 22.
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There was significant competition in Cleveland for time at the center ice position with Justin Scott, Carter Camper, Alex Broadhurst, Zac Dalpe, and Sam Vigneault all having the ability to play down the middle. This year though Thurkauf should be the second line center for the Monsters the entire season.
Thurkauf’s full year in North America was vital for his progression from a seventh round pick to his goal of being a serviceable NHLer. He is going to need to spend at least another year with the Monster’s before thinking about being a call up for the Columbus Blue Jackets. With forwards like Markus Hannikainen, Lukas Sedlak, and Alex Broadhurst all having NHL experience he has much more to prove before he becomes a call up candidate.
Thurkauf signed a three year ECL with the Columbus Blue Jackets in late December of 2016 so he still has some time to prove himself. But this year in Cleveland will be a defining one with how much forward depth the Jackets have in the system.
Cleveland will be a much improved team this year. They really can’t get worse and they will have an improved offense with some new scorers coming to North East Ohio. That should help Calvin increase his scoring totals and help his development.
Thurkauf should be one of the driving forces for the Jackets at the Traverse City prospect tournament and hang around CBJ training camp for an extended stay. Best case scenario Thurkauf has 15 goals and 35 assist and he develops into the Monsters top line center.
More realistically though he will be the second line center and total around 35-40 points. He has shown great durability in his time in Switzerland and in North America and him playing in all 76 regular season games is on the table.
Thurkauf’s floor though is scary. He could bottom out and never play in the AHL again after this season. He was a 7th round pick after all. I don’t see this happening based on Thurkauf’s playing style and size but it could happen.
I expect the Monsters to be much improved and for Thurkauf to be a part of that turnaround. Expect him to slot in as the second line center and put up 40 points for the improved Cleveland squad.