Grading Every Blue Jackets Prospect at the World Juniors

Aug 20, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Team Canada forward Kent Johnson (13) celebrates his winning goal in overtime against Team Finland in the championship game during the IIHF U20 Ice Hockey World Championship at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

The 2022 World Junior Championships were delayed in January due to a COVID-19 outbreak. The tournament was rescheduled and took place over the last two weeks in Edmonton, Alberta. Canada took home gold as the host team, while Finland and Sweden took home silver and bronze respectively. The tournament was meaningful to the Blue Jackets as they had four players competing, along with a goalie recently signed by the Cleveland Monsters. Today we’ll take a look at each of these players and provide a breakdown of their play.

G Pavel Cajan, Czechia (signed by the Cleveland Monsters) Grade: Incomplete

Pavel Cajan got into just one game, taking over in relief in Czechia’s 5-1 loss to team Canada. He faced nine shots and surrendered one goal. Mostly, he spent the tournament in the press box as he was Czechia’s third goaltender. Cajan will make the jump to the pro ranks this year, likely to spend time in both the AHL and ECHL, as he’s third on the depth chart for the Monsters as well.

EDMONTON, AB – AUGUST 19: Joshua Roy #9 of Canada scores a goal on Pavel Cajan #1 of Czechia in the IIHF World Junior Championship on August 19, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Photo by Andy Devlin/ Getty Images)

F Martin Rysavy, Czechia (7th round, #197 overall, 2021 NHL Draft) Grade: C-

Martin Rysavy skated in the tournament as a middle-six player for Czechia. Averaging 15:28 per game, he scored 2 goals (including the only shorthanded goal in the tournament), and carried a -6 rating in 7 games played.

Martin Rysavy scores short handed against Canada to make it 1-0 which isn’t ruled a goal immediately. After review, it is determined a goal. pic.twitter.com/xj48ftBCwb
— CBJ Highlights (@ThreadsJackets) August 13, 2022

I thought Rysavy looked pretty good in the offensive zone. He played in straight lines and went hard to the net, especially off the rush. But, there were long stretches where he was invisible and I actually had to look for him to make sure he was still playing. I think his upside is that of a bottom-six winger, but he has a long way to go before he’ll be playing in the NHL – or even the AHL. He’s a big body that plays physical and can finish, but he’ll need to find different ways to make an impact because he doesn’t have the kind of high end skill to be a pure scorer.

EDMONTON, AB – AUGUST 20: Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt #1 of Sweden reacts to a shot while Martin Rysavy #29 of Czechia looks on during second period action in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship bronze medal game at Rogers Place on August 20, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/Getty Images)

He’ll head back to the Western Hockey League for his 19 year old season with the Moose Jaw Warriors.