The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a wealth of talent join the NHL club recently, and it has made them a stronger organization.
They've done a great job of finding prospects and grooming them for the next level. Prospects are percolating in leagues and are getting opportunities to grow, which is not usually a situation fans were used to seeing in Columbus.
It makes following along with the prospects that much more exciting. Pierre-Luc Dubois, Sonny Milano, and Gabriel Carlsson have all played in the NHL this season. All were on this list last summer, and only Dubois has graduated to full-time status. So for the sake of our rankings, Milano and Carlsson are still considered prospects.
Here's where the 1st Ohio Battery staff ranked the Blue Jackets prospects during our mid-season checkpoint:
10. Emil Bemstrom
Selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL draft, Bemstrom is a smaller player with a lot of upside to his game. During his draft year, HockeyProspect.com was effusive in their praise of Bemstrom.
Bemstrom is a shifty player in open space and in corners, and has quick hands that tie in nicely with his quick feet and smooth edges,
He was the leading scorer in the Swedish Junior League (SuperElit) during the 2016-17 season. This year, having played part of the season in the Super Elit and then joining Leksands IF, in the Allsvenskan (Second Tier Professional), Bemstrom is performing well for an 18-year-old. He is nearly at a half a point per game pace in the Allsvenskan.
9. Kevin Stenlund
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 209 lbs., Stenlund is a big kid and he's got skill to add to this NHL-size frame. He signed his entry-level contract this past year but is being loaned back to his home club of HV71. After the team won the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) championship last year, the expectation was for Stenlund to take another big step.
While only incrementally better in points per game, he is seeing more and more ice time, playing nearly 20 minutes a night on one of the most consistent teams in the league. The development may be moving along slowly, but it feels like patience will be a virtue for the Blue Jackets.
8. Calvin Thurkauf
After having a tremendous overage season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and at the World Junior Championship, Thurkauf felt like a comfortable addition to the Cleveland Monsters this season. It seemed reasonable to think his offensive and defensive acumen would travel well to the professional game.
Having played in 36 games for the Monsters this year, Thurkauf has posted nine points. While expectations are still high for the Swiss forward, the transition hasn't been smooth. As the Monsters hopefully find their footing during their stretch run, Thurkauf could be a benefactor.
7. Elvis Merzlikins
Drafted all the way back in 2014, Merzlikins has been on the Blue Jackets' radar for a long time. The goaltender has been tearing up the Swiss League (NLA) and has been one of the best goaltending prospects in all of hockey during that time.
His contract doesn't run out with HC Lugano until after the 2018-19 season, but the Blue Jackets will hold his rights the entire time. Always near the top of the NLA in goaltending categories, it remains to be seen if his game translates to North America. His strong showings at the past couple World Championships indicate a player that could do well in the NHL.
6. Andrew Peeke
Playing on one of the best teams in the NCAA, Peeke is getting a front-row seat in hockey excellence. Having also played for Team USA at the World Junior Championship a month ago, Peeke is playing high-level hockey at a young age.
Playing in seven games at the World Junior Championship, Peeke posted one goal and one assist for a total of two points. At only 19 years old and a valuable player on his team, Peeke's growth will surely be monitored by the Blue Jackets as one of the top defensive prospects in their system.
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