The Blue Jackets' struggles on the defensive end have been quite noticeable this season. They are on track to set the franchise record for most goals against per game with 3.68, easily topping the previous record of 3.37 GA/G set by the 2005-06 club. They are also fourth from the bottom of the league in that stat this year, only posting a better mark than the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Arizona Coyotes. The latter two just happen to posses the worst records in the league right now.
Part of the issue for the Jackets' blue line is simply how young and inexperienced they are. Six of the nine defensemen on the current roster are 25 years-old or younger, and none of them is older than 28. The unit has also struggled with toughness and consistency all season - ranking 29th in hits given and dead last in unblocked shot attempts allowed. Hopefully this will improve as they mature and develop, both as individuals and as a group.
Although the defense has left a lot to be desired, the offense has been a bright spot this year. They are on track to also set the franchise record for goals for per game with 3.17, way up from last year's 2.39 GF/G. One of the contributing factors has been accuracy. This season, the Blue Jackets are fourth and fifth respectively in on goal and all attempts shot percentage, up from 28th and 24th in 2020-21.
The play of Columbus' forwards isn't the only reason for the jump in offensive output. The defense, while struggling to contain opposing teams, has been very involved on the offensive side of the puck. This young unit is starting to develop offensively. All eight of the defensemen that are in at least their third campaign have posted career highs in points and five out of the eight put up career highs in goals and/or points per game this season.
While several of these blue liners may not have scored a lot this year, each of them has taken a step forward, whether that is a significant leap in gpg/ppg or just increased playing time and subsequent offensive production. Let's take a look at each of the eight D-men that are playing in at least their third season.
- Dean Kukan
Age: 28 | Exp: 6th yr. | GP: 37 | Stat Line: 3-7-10
Kukan has set career highs across the board. His numbers might not be gaudy, but he has more assists, goals, points, and goals per game than ever before.
- Jake Bean
Age: 23 | Exp: 3rd yr. | GP: 62 | Stat Line: 7-16-23
This is Bean's first year with the Jackets, coming over in an offseason trade with Carolina. He has definitely taken a step forward on offense this season with career marks in gpg -.11, apg -.26, and ppg - .37.
- Vladislav Gavrikov
Age: 26 | Exp: 3rd yr. | GP: 75 | Stat Line: 5-28-33
Playing in all but two games this season, Gavrikov has come alive on the offensive side with 33 points and almost double his previous ppg career record with .44 ppg.
- Adam Boqvist
Age: 21 | Exp: 3rd yr. | GP: 52| Stat Line: 11-11-22
This is also Boqvist's first year with the team, coming to Columbus in the Seth Jones trade. While he is not as elite as Jones, the Swede is tied for the most goals by any defenseman that is playing on a new team this season. This includes scoring over twice as many goals as Jones.
- Zach Werenski
Age: 24 | Exp: 6th yr. | GP: 67 | Stat Line: 11-36-47
Werenski was already, by far, the biggest offensive threat as well as the best defenseman on this team. And even he has taken a step forward, tying his career high in points and doing it in 11 less games than before. He has also set a career record in ppg with .70 - a very high mark for a blue liner.
- Gavin Bayreuther
Age: 27 | Exp: 3rd yr | GP: 40 | Stat Line: 0-8-8
Beyreuther had not played in more than 19 games in a season before this year. While he is not one of the players that set a career mark for ppg, he has had the most points of his career due to the increase in games played.
- Andrew Peeke
Age: 24 | Exp: 3rd yr | GP: 77 | Stat Line: 1-13-14
It is much of the same story here for Peeke, only his gap is wider, going from never playing more than 22 games in a season to playing all 77 thus far. He has spent a significant amount of time on the top two blue lines and has set his career record with 14 points.
- Gabriel Carlsson
Age: 25 | Exp: 6th yr. | GP: 34 | Stat Line: 2-5-7
Carlsson has been with the team for going on six years, but he has never gotten significant playing time before this season. With the increased number of games played, he has also posted his career high, with seven points.
