The Blue Jackets re-assigned five more players on Friday, sending them all to the American Hockey League. This group forms what should be the leadership core of the Cleveland Monsters this season.
The most surprising of these cuts: defenseman Stanislav Svozil. We're big believers in Stan's game here at Union & Blue. And, while we didn't expect him to make the opening night roster, we figured he would at least be kept around for a little while longer.
The 2021 third round pick (#69 overall) will spend his second straight season in the AHL. Last year, he scored 5 goals and 23 points in 57 games with the Monsters. This comes off the back of a highly successful WHL career, which saw his stock as a prospect rise in a big way. I expect him to be a huge contributor in Cleveland this season.
Joining Svozil in Cleveland are forwards Justin Pearson, Jake Gaudet, and Stefan Matteau.
Pearson (26) was signed into the organization as an unrestricted free agent, after finishing his collegiate career at the end of the 2022-23 season. Last year, he played 66 games with the Monsters, scoring 10 goals and 22 points.
Gaudet (28) is a three-year veteran in the AHL, with 11 goals and 25 points in 114 games played. Both he and Pearson will be expected to eat up hard minutes down there, while the skilled prospects for the Blue Jackets are allowed to develop at their own pace.
Matteau (30) will be counted on for his leadership. He'll be the wily veteran on what should be a young Monsters team. Originally a first round pick of the New Jersey Devils all the way back in 2012, Matteau brings size, physicality, and a touch of scoring to the Cleveland roster. He may very well be the team's captain this season.
Lastly, the Blue Jackets placed goaltender Zach Sawchenko on waivers today, with the aim of sending him to the Monsters as well. The 26-year-old netminder will likely serve as backup to Jet Greaves, who I expect to be sent down before the season starts as well.
Still no real surprises in the reassignments, perhaps other than Svozil being sent down so early. He wasn't going to make the NHL roster this year, so perhaps this gives him a chance to focus more on the upcoming AHL season.
These moves leave the Blue Jackets with 42 players - 25 forwards, 13 defensemen and 4 goaltenders. I would expect the majority of the remaining cuts to be made early next week, with the Monsters' training camp opening next week. Also, this will help the coaching staff can focus on dialing in line combinations in the final preseason games.