Due to the injuries suffered by Blue Jackets defensemen this season, many players have played in unexpected roles.
One of those players is Marcus Bjork, who signed a one-year contract in the off-season with the opportunity to play hockey in North America for the first time at 25 years old. In eight games with the Blue Jackets so far, he's quarterbacked the top power-play unit and played on the Blue Jackets' top defense pairing.
#CBJ Bjork (1) goal pic.twitter.com/e72WQ9Xc8n
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 13, 2022
In those eight games, he's posted 1-3--4, played 19:25 a night, registered 10 shots on goal, and committed eight penalty minutes. According to hockeystatcards.com, he's posted the third-highest average game score among Jackets defensemen, and at five-on-five, ranks fourth in scoring chances percentage, fifth in high-danger chances percentage, and sixth in expected goals percentage, per naturalstattrick.com.
According to moneypuck.com, he's recorded one takeaway, two defensive zone giveaways, drawn four penalty minutes, blocked 13 shots, and has scored 1.54 points per 60.
Yes, it's a small sample size, but I'd have to say he's done an adequate job in a role that nobody predicted he'd be playing before the season started.
The Jackets have to be pleased with the production and play he's given them so far.
