Columbus Blue Jackets rookie defenseman Nick Blankenburg has had one crazy week.
After being eliminated from the NCAA Frozen Four, the University of Michigan captain signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 23-year old former walk-on was never drafted, but the Blue Jackets took a low-risk flier on the former walk-on. At 5-9 and nearly 24 years old, the deck isn't exactly stacked in Blankenburg's favor. Then again, it never has been.
In his first career NHL game, Blenkenburg stole the show, posting an assist, being named the third star of the game, and being a general presence on the blueline in the club's 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. He skated 16:46 in that game, then followed it up with 15:33 in his second game, a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
Early in Sunday night's loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Zach Werenski suffered an upper-body injury and did not return. The extent of his injury is still unknown, but it wouldn't be surprising if the club decided to shut him down for the remainder of the season even if it's not serious. With the injury to Werenski (1:23 TOI), the five other Blue Jackets defenders were forced into extra duty. Vladislav Gavrikov led the way with 24:08, followed by Adam Boqvist (23:20), Jake Bean (22:58), Andrew Peeke (22:10), and Blankenburg (20:42).
One of Gavin Bayreuther, Dean Kukan, or Gabriel Carlsson should figure into the lineup in Werenski's theoretical absence, but those are mostly known quantities at this point. Blankenburg, a pending RFA, isn't, and these final six games should be treated as an evaluation.
Blankenburg has shown well in his three-game stint to begin his professional hockey career, though he's made some costly mistakes. While Werenski's injury is brutal for him and his team's ability to field a more competitive team over the next week(s), for the long-term picture of the club, it should allow its less seasoned defensemen - like Blankenberg - a chance to play more (and in more situations).
