The Columbus Blue Jackets think they got a good one in Cole Sillinger.
The 18-year old, drafted 12th overall just a few months ago, could challenge for playing time as soon as this year.
On the Rod Pederson Show (Canada’s Daytime Sports Talk Show!), Blue Jackets pro scout Rich Sutter gave the young prospect quite the glowing review.
"We honestly didn't think we had a shot at him! We had him clearly in the top 10...he brings something our organization and quite frankly I think the NHL sorely misses & needs and that's high character people"@rich_sutter expects Cole Sillinger to challenge for a spot in #CBJ! pic.twitter.com/JIoDTXipLp
— The Rod Pedersen Show (@RodPedersenShow) August 31, 2021
Sillinger, who played in the WHL in 2019-20 for the Medicine Hat Tigers, "might not be that dynamic, talented player like a Kent Johnson, (but) we were thrilled that Cole fell to us. We honestly didn't even think we had a shot at him. We had him clearly in our top ten."
Sutter comes from a classic, old-school hockey background. He's been on the Blue Jackets payroll for five seasons, but he's been a scout in the NHL since 1999-2000. In describing Sillinger, he seemed to long for the players of yesteryear, who "engaged on the ice, not afraid to play the old Western Hockey League (WHL) style way, but still be a real good player."
"(That's what) Cole does, and I've been harping for five years in Columbus that we don't have enough players that play an involved, engaged, game. Me personally, I want more Western League kids."
