The second round of cuts came on Tuesday, with the Jackets returning both of their 2024 second round picks - defenseman Charlie Elick and goaltender Evan Gardner - as well as 2023 seventh rounder Tyler Peddle. As with the first round of cuts, these were all expected.
Elick will play for the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings this season. He stood out in camp for good and bad reasons. He played in Monday night's preseason opener in Buffalo, and threw a massive hit on Sabres forward Zach Benson. But it was obvious that he has a lot of learning to do, so like Marrelli; sending him back early was important.
Don't expect big offensive numbers from Elick in Brandon. More importantly, I'd like to see him weed out the odd missed check that takes him out of the play. Focus more on defending with his feet and stick, rather than hunting for the big hit at every turn. The hits will still come, he just needs to choose his spots more carefully.
Gardner will also play in the WHL this season - as the starting goaltender for the Saskatoon Blades. He came on in relief for the Jackets on Monday, and while the game was well out of reach; it became quickly apparent that he would be headed back to junior this season as well. I think Gardner will put up gaudy numbers this season. He has the talent, and should be the backbone of his team.
Peddle will head to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he'll play for the Saint John Sea Dogs this year. I would love to see some growth in his goal scoring game. Otherwise, at this point, he looks like a long-shot to play in the NHL. At his highest potential, he's probably just a fourth line player - but being big and physical is no longer enough in today's NHL. He needs to show that he can finish.
The fact that the Blue Jackets had these kinds of high potential players involved in their earliest cuts, speaks to the volume of talent in the organization. Hopefully all of these guys will have big seasons in junior hockey, making them much harder to cut next season and beyond.