Despite being third on the Columbus Blue Jackets in points, John Tortorella has been hesitant to trust Oliver Bjorsktrand at times this season.
After dropping two consecutive games to open the road trip in California, Tortorella was ornery in his analysis of the team – but he was uncharacteristically complimentary of Bjorkstrand's play.
When asked if Bjorkstrand's game had turned a corner of late, Tortorella was impressed:
"He has for me, yeah. He plays hard. He's learned that I'm checking now. He played out in the Western League (The Western Hockey League, one of the three major junior league based in Canada, has a reputation of being more rugged than the Ontario or Quebec leagues). He's not afraid. He's still growing into his body. He still has to get stronger, but the thing that impresses me about him, I think he's stronger mentally right now. He's just on the puck. The puck tends to follow him.
"You chart them. Look at the shot attempts he's getting right now. I'd like to see it more on net, by percentages, but he's been one of our top forwards and that's why you see him getting the ice time he's getting right now."
Tortorella put his money where his mouth is. Bjorkstrand's 20:32 in Anaheim was a career-high for the young Dane, and a drastic improvement over his 14:32 season average. Bjorkstrand responded with two assists and four shots on goal.
This website has frequently suggested that Bjorkstrand should be given more of an opportunity to shine. In his past three games, he has fired 25 shot attempts with 12 of them hitting the net. While he didn't score, he was playing with a confidence that the Blue Jackets need to continue to see going forward.
One of the concerns surrounding Bjorkstrand has always been his size. He's listed at 6-feet and 177 lbs., but isn't exactly confused for Matt Calvert in his style of play. Still, Tortorella was happy to praise his compete level before Sunday's game in San Jose.
"He's been banged around (against Los Angeles and Anaheim). But he's there. He's not as big as the other guys he's playing against. He's never going to be. So he gets knocked down a little bit, but I like his second and third effort, as far as staying with it and finding a way to get the puck."
With fewer than 20 games separating the Blue Jackets from either a return to the playoffs or a disappointing miss, the intensity is sure to ramp up. The club will need all hands on deck, and Bjorkstrand will be counted on to provide quality minutes with an offensive spark.
He's still considered a young guy on this team, and it's fair to understand why. He's played just 104 games at the NHL level, but the time is now for Bjorkstrand to take his increase in ice time and turn into meaningful results.
If the western road trip was any indication, he's up for the challenge.
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