Columbus Blue Jackets 18-19 Prospect Expectations: Jonathan Davidsson

Can one of the most talked about prospects at Columbus Blue Jackets training camp make the team out of camp?

The largest roster cut of the preseason has come and Jonathan Davidsson is still with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Not only that, but he is practicing with the “NHL group” that has the regular players that will clearly make the squad.

The 2017 6th round pick has been a favorite of management for most of the offseason but crunch time is here for Davidsson. He has performed well during the preseason starting with the Traverse City tournament. He wasn’t a scoring leader during the tournament but his speed and playmaking stood out in his three games played.

He has played in three out of the first five preseason games for the Jackets as well. Again, he hasn’t padded the stat sheet, but it is apparent in his performance that Davidsson can play at the NHL level. He has created good offensive chances, had at least three shots on goal in every game he has played, and has looked competent on defense.

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Davidsson’s speed and stick handling has stood out during the preseason and its easy to see why the organization is so high on him. The issue is that there are just too many guys ahead of him on the wing.

Sonny Milano and Anthony Duclair have booth looked fantastic during training camp and the preseason and have been slotted on the project fourth line with Brandon Dubinsky. That combination has looked great and would be one of, if not the most, deadly fourth line in the NHL.

Keeping Davidsson in Columbus to eat popcorn and watch from the press box would be the worst thing the organization could do for his development so if he isn’t going to be a regular, he shouldn’t be with the squad. That means Davidsson will likely head back to Sweden and play in the SHL for Djurgardens IF. Davidsson has a clause in his contract that allows him to return to the SHL if he doesn’t make the NHL and that would be a good place for him to be.

If he returns to the SHL he should be the number one guy for Djurgardens and play alongside fellow Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, Emil Bemstrom. Bemstrom has already scored a point per game and is setting himself up for a great season. These two together leading Djurgardens to an SHL title should be the expectation for Davidsson.

It’s a great sign of how far this organization has come that a player of Jonathan Davisson’s caliber won’t be able to make this team. In years past, Davidsson would have easily made this team but Jarmo and Co. have taken this organization to the next level. Davidsson will play in at least one more preseason game but will likely head back to Sweden where he should have a big year.