Columbus Blue Jackets 2023-24 Season Preview: Andrew Peeke

Andrew Peeke has been a mainstay on defense for the Blue Jackets for two full seasons now. But with the team overhauling it’s defense corps this summer, his job may very well be in jeopardy. Is there still room for him on the CBJ blue line?

D Andrew Peeke

6’3″, 210 pounds

2022-23 stats: 80GP, 6G, 7A, 13Pts, -41, 22PIMs

Acquired: Drafted 2nd round (#34 overall), 2016 NHL Draft

Contract: $2.75m AAV through 2025-26

Role: Bottom-four defenseman (on the bubble)

While the results have been mixed, Andrew Peeke has done an admirable job for the Jackets over a tumultuous last two seasons; becoming a sort of young wily veteran on defense for the team. But even though he’s stayed remarkably healthy in those two years (missing just two games combined), Peeke hasn’t done enough to separate himself from the pack and solidify his role in the NHL. Proving that point, the Jackets felt compelled to go out and add Damon Severson to an already crowded right side this summer.

At 6’3″ and over 200 pounds, Peeke tries to play the role of physical stay-at-home defenseman; the problem is, he just isn’t mean or strong enough. Oftentimes, he gets out-worked along the boards or in front of the net, leading to scoring chances or goals against on a far too regular basis. To top it off, he brings very little to the table offensively; which leaves us with an average skater who spends a ton of time in his own end and blocks a lot of shots. A shot blocker is a good thing to have on your back end, but without much else to offer, he’s certainly far from a key piece to the championship puzzle.

It’s really hard to see Andrew Peeke playing consistent minutes for the Jackets this season – though I will say, it’s far from impossible. There are two locks on the right side: Severson and Erik Gudbranson; both of these guys have contracts that require them to be in the lineup. After that, Peeke will have to sway new head coach Mike Babcock’s opinion away from contenders like Adam Boqvist, Nick Blankenburg, and top prospect David Jiricek; if he’s going to win a job out of camp. For a coach who wants his team to have the puck a lot, it’s a tall task.

Three keys to success:

1. Be tougher. I know that sounds odd for a guy who blocks a ton of shots and has stayed so healthy. But, Peeke’s best shot of playing more minutes, may be to take on that third pairing/physical role and try to supplant Gudbranson.
2. The little things. Keep blocking shots, play the safe, stay-at-home game that’s given you a role in the league so far. If nothing else, it could draw attention from another team and lead to an opportunity elsewhere.
3. Embrace fewer minutes. Look, playing Andrew Peeke for 20 minutes a night has spelled disaster for this club over the last two seasons. He was a league-worst -41 last season; getting him on the ice against secondary competition is one obvious way to limit his play in out-matched situations.

It’s a tough situation for Peeke and the Jackets at the moment. While he could win a job at camp and play bottom-four minutes, it’s hard to see that happening when the team could continue to see what it has in Adam Boqvist, who looked like he was breaking out when healthy last season. I think they will keep both around at least through camp, to see what they have – but at some point, it feels like they are going to have to make a deal to free up space for David Jiricek. One thing that’s clear: Peeke wasn’t suited for playing on the left side; so he has to win his job on the right side fair and square – against a handful of players who all bring better tools to the table.