Columbus Blue Jackets 2023-24 Season Preview: Damon Severson

The Blue Jacket back end gained a lot of accountability and respect when the team acquired defenseman Damon Severson from the New Jersey Devils early in the offseason. Signed to an 8-year contract before he even put on a Union Blue sweater, Severson instantly becomes a centerpiece on the blue line for the Jackets. He’ll be on the team; but where does he fit into the defense, and what does he bring?

D Damon Severson

6’2″, 205 pounds

2022-23 stats: 81GP, 7G, 26A, 33Pts, +9, 38PIMs

Acquired: Trade with New Jersey, June 2023

(Originally drafted 2nd round, #60 overall, 2012 NHL Draft)

Contract: $6.25m AAV through 2030-31

Role: Top four defenseman

GM Jarmo Kekalainen has been verbal over the last two off-seasons, talking about how the team’s hemorrhaging goals was not going to fly – and that they wanted to make a push back towards post-season contention. By giving up a third round pick and inking Damon Severson to a max-term deal, he does his part by making the roster more formidable than it was before. After acquiring Severson, Jarmo was quick to point out that he was the #1 free agent target for the Jackets – meaning the team has acquired their #1 target two summers in a row. Now it’s time to see if it pays off.

Severson really does make a lot of sense for the Jackets, checking off nearly every box that this team should have been seeking to fill this summer. He’s a veteran of over 600 NHL games, missing just three games combined over the last three seasons; with good size, skating, and solid in-zone defending. He can chip in a little bit offensively as well, which makes him an all-around solid player for this team;  a guy who should be able to play in all situations and give the team a strong 20 minutes each night.

It’s hard to call Damon the long-term solution to play alongside Zach Werenski on the top pair – but he should be capable of filling in that role as needed. He may start the season there, though I think it’s a battle between him, Adam Boqvist, and possibly David Jiricek for playing time in that role. With a new head coach coming in, it’s hard to get a feel for how things might shake down; but all of these guys are contenders for the job. Severson has the advantage of being an experienced veteran, and solid defensive zone player – which might give him the inside track to start the year.

Three keys to success:

1. Don’t overthink it. Joining a new team with a hefty new contract means lofty expectations. But in the end, all we need Damon to be is a solid two-way contributor, just like he was in New Jersey.
2. Be a leader. With the above in mind, this team is going to be relying on him to make a quick transition and lead the way. He’ll need to settle in quickly and do his job right away.
3. Embrace the city. By early accounts, Damon seems really happy to be a Columbus Blue Jacket. We’re happy to have him, and I think he’s going to be that steady, reliable presence on the blue line that this team hasn’t had since trading away David Savard. He’ll be a fan favorite in no time.

Ultimately, I think Damon Severson is ideal for this team’s second pair. He may start the season out on the top pairing alongside Zach Werenski … and may even spend the entire season there. But over time, the hope is that David Jiricek will assume that role, with Severson providing a solid veteran to support the right side. He might be slightly overpaid for that role, but that’s what it takes to get talented, experienced players to help your team. And I think he’ll help this team not only in the short term, but also in the long term. All in all, this is a nice pickup for this team.