Justin Danforth Has Waited Forever For This Moment And The Rookie Is Making The Most Of His Time In The NHL

The Columbus Blue Jackets have started eight different rookies and will add to that total with the impending arrivals of Kent Johnson and Nick Blankenburg into the lineup this week, likely on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. The addition of both would tie the franchise record set back during the inaugural season of 2000-01 when 10 rookies debuted.

Of those first-year players for head coach Brad Larsen, one particular rookie has thrived, especially of late.

Justin Danforth has played in 36 games and has 11 points (nine goals, two assists) including four goals in his last six games.

Grinding through the slot for his 8th! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/bukL8NDCi5

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 6, 2022

"You have to find different ways to score goals in this league," Danforth said after last Tuesday's win over the Philadelphia Flyers. "Right now, that's kind of the way I've been able to produce so I keep going to the net, and sometimes you get a lucky bounce, you just got to finish."

Danforth's story is that of resilience. At 29 years old, he's not your typical rookie, or one that most would have expected to make an impact like he has at the NHL level. However, he does have six years of professional spanning across the ECHL, AHL, and international play across Liiga, and the KHL.

"I think for me that's huge," Danforth said. "I think when you go to any different league it takes a while to transition and I think this league has taken me the longest. I've played in a lot of different leagues and it took me 10, 15 games in Finland."

Now that Danforth is here, he's here to show he belongs and doesn't take these games for granted.

"I think any player wants to finish the season strong regardless of playoff contention," Danforth said. "That's what we're trying to do in that locker room is finish this season the right way and start building for next year and be a playoff team."

Danforth signed his two-year contract extension in March and as our Dan Dukart mentioned, it might seem odd for a young team on the rise to give a two-year deal to a player like Danforth, when he only has a handful of NHL games under his belt and approaching the age of 30.

However, Danforth seems to bring a certain style of play to his game, and the Blue Jackets roster, that is paying dividends on the ice, no matter who he lines up with. 

Honestly, several #CBJ players should look at the recent efforts of Justin Danforth and emulate him.

— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) April 6, 2022

Justin Danforth is just one of those guys who makes everyone on his line better, isn't it? #CBJ

— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) April 6, 2022

Below are some line combo examples at 5v5 courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. 

Cole Sillinger and Danforth

Eric Robinson, Danforth, and Emil Bemstrom

Gus Nyquist and Danforth 

Sean Kuraly and Danforth

Robinson, Danforth, Kuraly

Danforth, Roslovic, Brendan Gaunce

The first-year NHLer has been a surprising and fun story, and while he's providing solid play as a bottom-six forward for Larsen and the Blue Jackets, Danforth is adding the bonus of scoring along the way down the stretch.