2022 Season Preview: Justin Danforth

Justin Danforth, 5-9, 180 pounds

March 15, 1993 (29 years old)

Signed as a UFA (May 3, 2021)

Cap hit: $975k through 2023-24

Role: Depth forward

Apr 2, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) skates with the puck against Boston Bruins left wing Nick Foligno (17) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Heading into last fall, Justin Danforth was a player I simply could not see making the Blue Jackets. I thought the team simply had better options, and that Gregory Hofmann would be the difference making addition for the team. But as he has done with everyone else throughout his entire career, Danforth proved me wrong. While he only appeared in 45 games, he was a very good player for the club, providing a little bit of offensive spark from a depth role.

This fall, I find myself working from the exact opposite scenario. I think the team needs to have him in the lineup, perhaps even at the expense of a young prospect making the team. Danforth is a speedy player who can play either center or the wing. He’s tenacious on the puck and plays a surprisingly physical game for a smaller player. He scored 10 goals and 14 points in 45 games, while bringing a lot of energy to the team and leading by example. It’s easy to see him on the team’s fourth line alongside Eric Robinson and Sean Kuraly.

SUNRISE, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Justin Danforth #17 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his third-period goal with Cole Sillinger against the Florida Panthers at the FLA Live Arena on February 24, 2022 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

The only shortcoming to having him in the lineup is, it means you will likely be scratching one of Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, or Yegor Chinakhov to make room for him. The future of this team lies in its skilled young forwards, and these three are all a big part of that future. Perhaps the team would benefit most from starting one of these players in the AHL and seeing how things go from there. In my opinion, Danforth was good enough to own this roster spot until someone takes it away from him.

Three Keys to Success

Opportunity. Danforth will have to take advantage of the high ground and retain his roster spot out of camp. There are several younger, more skilled options coming along, and he’ll have to outwork them to make the club.
Energy. Being a 29 year old sophomore in the NHL has to be a tough situation, but the only way to handle yourself is to bring that same energy on a nightly basis. He’ll have to make something happen each and every shift, as his ice time will likely be limited.
Luck. It seemed like right as he found his footing and was playing at his best, Danforth suffered a nasty knee injury last season. Staying healthy is key; if he misses time and someone else gets their chance, it will be hard to reclaim his spot.

2022-23 Expectation: Make things really difficult.

What we mean here is, make it difficult for the younger players to take a roster spot on this team. When guys have to work hard to earn opportunities, they grow and improve. This is really the key to long-term success in the NHL: drafting talented players is one thing. Developing them properly, is another thing entirely. On the flip side, make it difficult on the opposition. I would expect Danforth to play on one of the team’s penalty kill units and bring that same speed and tenacity to help the team in those situations. Be a pest, win body position, get underneath guys and forecheck hard. Basically, he just needs to stay healthy and bring his game from last season. He’s an important depth piece to this club for the foreseeable future. Read: 2022 Season Preview: Eric Robinson

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