Columbus Blue Jackets 18-19 Prospects Expectations: Eric Robinson

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed Eric Robinson last year after he spent four years at Princeton.

Columbus Blue Jackets fans got to know the name Eric Robinson late last season. The Jackets signed the former Princeton Tiger in late March and Robinson made his NHL debut against the Nashville Predators on April 7th.

The 23-year-old forward played 11 minutes during the Jackets final regular season matchup and then stayed with the team for the rest of the playoffs. He did have some brief breaks in-between practices when he was able to travel back to Princeton and complete his final classes in order to graduate in April.

Robinson was the captain of the Tigers in his final season and led the team in scoring with 31 points in 36 games. Some Columbus Blue Jackets fans might of heard about Robinson just a few days before he signed with the Jackets as the Ohio State Buckeyes played Robinson’s Tigers in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Now Robinson is looking to make sure all Columbus Blue Jackets fans know his name by trying to make the team out of training camp. Robinson’s contract is up at the end of the year and is one of four players or so that have a legitimate chance to make the NHL squad or start the year in Cleveland.

Robinson could be a player that logs 25 to 35 games in the NHL and another 10 or so in the AHL. He has the ability to play in the big leagues and could be the Markus Hannikainen of this season.

More likely though is that Robinson competes for a top six role in Cleveland. He will be on the short list for call ups to the NHL when the Jackets need him and he will certainly be a black ace when (yes you read that right) they make the playoffs.

Worst case scenario, Robinson just can’t cut it in the AHL and the Jackets took a one year risk that didn’t pay off. I don’t see this happening based on his, albeit short, performance in the NHL last year and with his time as a black ace.

Robinson should be expected to make a solid contribution to the turn around in Cleveland and prove he deserves a new contract at the end of the year.