Josh Anderson was billed as a rough-and-tumble power forward when the Blue Jackets drafted him in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft. It would take a few years, the scouts said, but he will blossom into a pot-stirring buzzsaw who can put the puck in the net.
After a tremendous 2015-16 season with the Cleveland Monsters en route to a Calder Cup title, Anderson proved in training camp that he was ready to graduate to the NHL on a full-time basis. The Blue Jackets had room in their forward group for a player like Anderson to grab a spot in the top nine, and he enjoyed a solid rookie season with 17 goals.
This player is, in all likelihood, one that the Blue Jackets are most fearful of losing to the Vegas Golden Knights. Will they be able to swing a deal to protect him in the expansion draft?
Why He Will Be Selected
Anderson is the type of player that the Golden Knights can bring in now, and then build with in the years ahead.
He's only 23 years old and has shown he can produce offense at the NHL level, while also showing a willingness to forecheck, disrupt, and get under the skin of opponents. In classic terms, he's the player you hate to play against but love to have on your side. And for the Golden Knights to have an opportunity to simply pluck him from the Blue Jackets, it may be too good to pass up.
Blessed with a heavy wrist shot and armed with a straight-ahead, fleet-footed playing style, Anderson would endear himself to Golden Knights fans right away and become a fixture in coach Gerard Gallant's lineup.
Why He Won't Be Selected
The best chance the Blue Jackets have to prevent his selection will be to make a side deal with Golden Knights GM George McPhee. If exposed and available, it's hard to see Vegas passing on a proven young, talented player under team control -- so it will likely require Jarmo Kekalainen to do some negotiating and figure out a deal that works for both parties, one that allows the Blue Jackets to keep Anderson in the fold.
Contract Status
According to CapFriendly.com, Anderson is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
