Columbus Blue Jackets: Two Ways Alexander Wennberg Can Be Saved
By William Espy
The Columbus Blue Jackets need Alexander Wennberg to develop beyond a one-dimensional play-maker.
If the Columbus Blue Jackets want Alexander Wennberg‘s long term contract to be worth it, they’ll need him to continue developing despite the fact that he’s been in the NHL for nearly five years already.
The most common argument for Wennberg is that he needs to shoot more, which would certainly help him. If Wennberg were to shoot, not only would he score more goals as a result, he would also draw pressure from the defense off of his linemates allowing him to use his playmaking ability more successfully.
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In short, not only would shooting more increase Wennberg’s goals it would also increase his assist numbers as well. However, that’s not the only way he could improve his game.
Improving defensely is one of the easiest ways that Wennberg can work on his game. If he were to become a David Krejci type of player, that would seemingly be ideal for both the Blue Jackets and Wennberg. Krejci shoots more than Wennberg, but not necessarily by much. He’d never lead a team in shots, however he’s a reliable option on both ends of the ice.
Krejci is a playmaking center with above average defense and the ability to score anywhere from 15 to 20 goals a season. This is roughly what Alexander Wennberg could become if he put the work in to do so. Wennberg also has a size advantage which would certainly be to his benefit in regards to defensive play.
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9Having Wennberg as that type of player would set him up perfectly in the long run as a second line or very high end third line center who could play both the power play and penalty kill and be leaned on late in games both for offensive and defensive shifts.