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Columbus Blue Jackets 18-19 Prospects Expectations: Sam Vigneault

By Lansing Murphy |
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 20: Iowa Wild defenceman Hunter Warner (4) and Cleveland Monsters center Sam Vigneault (21) fight during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Iowa Wild and Cleveland Monsters on December 20, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Iowa 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 20: Iowa Wild defenceman Hunter Warner (4) and Cleveland Monsters center Sam Vigneault (21) fight during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Iowa Wild and Cleveland Monsters on December 20, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Iowa 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed Sam Vigneault out of the NCAA in 2016.

This is a tough player to pin down expectations for. The Columbus Blue Jackets farm team in Cleveland had a rough go around last year, as did Sam Vigneault. 

The second year Monster signed with the Jackets midway through his junior year at Clarkson University. Vigneault posted an impressive junior season in the NCAA and headed to Cleveland for 16 games in 2017 after ending his collegiate career.

In his first full season in Cleveland, Vigneault unfortunately broke his finger and missed the first month of the AHL season. After recovering from the injury, Vigneault slowly worked his way into the lineup and eventually finished the season with 56 games under his belt.

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Columbus Blue Jackets

A nine goal and 13 assist season gave Sam a total of 22 points and a .39 points per game pace. The big center will look to take a big step forward this year with a year of experience under his belt and hopefully, a healthy season ahead of him.

The Cleveland Monsters won’t be Calder Cup contenders this season but should be much more competitive. The internal competition on this team will be nothing but beneficial to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. One of those big battles will be between Sam Vigneault and Kevin Stenlund.

Seeing how Stenlund and Vigneault are deployed this year will be a good indication of how the two are viewed by the organization.

Stenlund will be playing in his first season in the AHL after spending his previous professional seasons in Sweden. The SHL is a more skilled league whereas the AHL is more physical. Stenlund certainly has a physical side, but not as much as Vigneault.

And Vigneault isn’t afraid to drop the gloves. Just ask Hunter Warner of the Iowa Wild.

Next. 18-19 Expectations for Kevin Stenlund. dark

Vigneault is on the final year of his contract and I think that Stenlund has a higher floor, and ceiling, as a player.

With the new talent coming into the Columbus Blue Jackets system, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a high 20 point season this year and to see the Jackets let Vigneault walk at the end of the year.

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