It has already been over two years since Erik Gudbranson signed a four-year-long deal to become a Columbus Blue Jacket on July 1, 2022. That same day, Gudbranson family friend Johnny Gaudreau also pledged his future to the Union Blue.
Tragically, that partnership was cut short years before Erik's contract was due to end in Columbus. Regardless of how his time may end far from now, Erik and his wife Sarah and their two children, Bennett and Zoey, will forever be members of the Blue Jackets family.
Erik is entering his third season as a Columbus Blue Jacket and his second as an alternate captain in the team's leadership room. He is also no longer the oldest player on the roster, and the locker room is flush with more veterans than it has seen in years. This summer, Erik has set himself apart as an integral factor in the cultural reset of this team, and he'll be counted upon to help guide this club through this time of remembrance and healing.
On the ice, Erik continued to play to his identity last season while quietly having a career season, and there's no reason not to expect more of the same in 2024-2025. Gudbranson posted 6-20-26 in 78 games, career highs in all areas, and had multiple moments last season where his play directly influenced the outcome of games.
He was noticeable especially in his physical play at times last year with moments like his feud with Nick Cousins to protect the younger roster members immediately coming to mind.
Gudbranson is a known quantity: he brings size, physicality, and strong character into a locker room for a team that continues to sorely need these areas as a part of the mix into its lineup. There's no reason not to expect that Erik will continue to bring that skillset into the club this season. Despite all of that, however, it's plain to see that Erik will be counted upon for more than just his play on the ice this year, but he's shown in the past several weeks that he's more than deserving of the "A" on his chest, and I doubt any fans of the Union Blue will disagree.
One bold prediction: Gudbranson will put up 20 points again this season.
Erik has put up 20 points in a season in his career exactly once: last season. His closest other campaign? 17 points in 2021-2022 in Calgary next to Johnny Gaudreau. Especially with Dean Evason coming in as head coach, who has a direct forechecking system of hockey that will mesh perfectly with his game, it's difficult for me to see a situation where Erik doesn't have another career year playing in a city he loves with fans that love to see him take the ice night in and night out.